Explanation
BACKGROUND: The charges of Jennifer Knight v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01277; Brent Mason v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01278; Trent Taylor v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01279; Andre Tate v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01280; Anthony Johnson v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01281; Levon Morefield v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01282; Lee Hurst v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01283; Jeff Kasza v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01285; Mandy Kasza v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01286; Paul Tobin v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01287 and Frank Miller v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 473-2021-01288 (the “Charges of Discrimination pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission”) pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission were filed in the fall of 2021 and name the City of Columbus as the Respondent. Due to a potential conflict of interest, it was necessary for the City Attorney’s office to retain outside counsel to represent the City in these matters. The City Attorney’s office entered into a special legal counsel contract with Reminger Co., L.P.A. on November 9, 2021.
In February 2022, it was necessary to modify that contract in order to continue to provide the statutorily required representation and to add an additional charge titled Alex Mottinger v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 532-2022-01069. On February 28, 2022, City Council enacted Ordinance 0524-2022, authorizing a contract modification to add the Mottinger charge and increase the funding by $70,000.00 for a total of $120,000.00
It is now necessary to enter into a second contract modification to add an additional charge styled Brian Steel v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 532-2022-02170.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no additional charge associated with this contract modification ($0.00)
COMPANY: Reminger Co., L.P.A. Vendor No.: 035262, FID: 34-1101394
101 West Prospect Avenue Suite 1400
Cleveland, Oh 44115
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency legislation is requested to allow for immediate representation in the additional filed charge.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to modify an existing contract for special legal counsel services with Reminger Co., L.P.A. for the Charges of Discrimination pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, due to a conflict of interest, the City Attorney has need for special legal counsel services with regard to the Charges of Discrimination pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney and Reminger Co., L.P.A. entered into a special counsel contract on November 9, 2021 to provide special legal services on behalf of the City Attorney and the Department of Public Safety with regard to matters pertaining to the charges; and
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2022 a contract modification was approved by Ordinance 0524-2022 to provide for continuation of those services and the addition of a charge titled Alex Mottinger v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 532-2022-01069; and
WHEREAS, an additional contract modification is necessary to add an additional charge styled Brian Steel v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 532-2022-02170; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Attorney's Office in that it is necessary to authorize the City Attorney to modify the contract with Reminger Co., L.P.A. immediately in order to allow for representation in the additional filed charge; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to modify the contract entered into on November 9, 2021 with Reminger Co., L.P.A. for special legal counsel to provide special legal services to the City Attorney and the Department of Public Safety with regard to the Charges of Discrimination pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as the charge of Brian Steel v. City of Columbus, Charge No. 532-2022-02170.
SECTION 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and immediately after its passage and signature by the Mayor, or within 10 days thereafter if the Mayor neither signs nor vetoes the same.