Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the City Attorney to enter into a contract for special legal services, on behalf of the City's Finance Department, with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP, to represent the City's interests in connection with the JS Stores, Inc. (Jacobson's) bankruptcy proceedings, Case No. 02- 40957, before the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of the State of Michigan.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available within the Auditor's Office accounts for these purposes.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to contract with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP for legal services in connection with JS Stores, Inc. (Jacobson Stores Inc.), Case No. 02-40957, in the United States Bankruptcy Court, to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus Codes, to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) for said purposes, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, funds are available in the Auditor's Office accounts for these legal expenses; and
WHEREAS, the City is party to a Bankruptcy proceeding, being Case No. 02-40957, in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District, Southern Division, State of Michigan; and
WHEREAS, City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr. desires to enter into a contract for special legal services with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP to assist in the City's representation in that proceeding; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the City Attorney's office in that pleadings and hearings have already been filed and scheduled in this matter, and protection of the City's interests depends upon the immediate retention of counsel to defend the City's interests; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
Section 1. That the City Attorney be, and he is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP for legal consulting services for the maximum contract obligation of Twenty Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($20,000.00).
Section 2. That funds are available to pay for said services from Department No. 24-01, Fund : Capital South Debt Services, Fund No. 481, OCA Code: 240481, Object Level 3: 3324.
Section 3. That there is hereby appropriated and authorized to be expended the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($20,000.00) with the law firm of Vory's, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP., and the City Auditor is authorized to draw warrants upon the treasury for services thereunder upon receipt of invoices approved by the City Attorney.
Section 4. That the provisions of Chapter 329, Columbus City Codes, reltative to the procurement of professional services are hereby waived, such waiver being deemed to be in the best of the City for the reason that this is a contract which requires specialized knowledge and services in litigation to which the City is a party.
Section 5. That for the reasons set forth in the preamble hereto, which is hereby incorporated by reference, this measure is deemed to be an emergency measure and the same shall take effect and be in force from and immediately after its passage and signature by the Mayor or within ten (10) days thereafter if the Mayor neither signs nor vetoes the same.