Explanation
Due to a conflict of interest, the City Attorney has a need to retain special legal services for the purpose of representing the City in connection with litigation entitled The New Victorians Inc., et.al. vs. City of Columbus and its Italian Village Commission, et.al., Case No. C2 04 199, in the United State District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available within the Department of Developments's account for this purpose.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds within the General Fund of the office of the City Attorney, to authorize the City Attorney to enter into a contract with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP for legal services in connection with New Victorians Inc., et.al. vs. City of Columbus, et. al., Case No. C2- 04-199, in the United States District Court, to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, to authorize the expenditure of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City is involved in litigation with New Victorians, Inc. et.al. v. City of Columbus et.al., now being Case No. C2-04-199, in the United States District Court; and
WHEREAS, City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr. desires to enter into an agreement for special legal counsel with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP to assist in the City's representation; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that a Complaint in this matter has already been filed and deadlines for additional pleadings to be filed on the Cities' behalf are approaching; 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 Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP for legal services in connection with The New Victorians Inc., et.al. v. City of Columbus, et. al., Case No. C2-04-199, in the United States District Court, for a maximum obligation of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).
Section 2. That the provisions of Columbus City Codes relative to the procurement of professional services are hereby waived, such waiver be ing to to be in the best interest of the City.
Section 3. That the City Auditor be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $50,000.00 within the General Fund of the office of the City Attorney as follows:
From - Dept/Div: 24-01, Fund: 010, Object Level 1: 10, OCA: 900886, Object Level 3: 5450, Amount: $50,000.00
To - Dept/Div: 24-01, Fund: 010, Object Level 1: 03, OCA: 240101, Object Level 3: 3324, Amount: $50,000.00
Section 4. That there is hereby appropriated and authorized to be expended the sum of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00), or so much thereof as is necessary, and the City Auditor is directed to draw warrants upon the treasury for services thereunder upon receipt of invoices approved by the City Attorney. Said expenditures shall be made from Division 24-01, Fund: 010, Object Level 1: 03, OCA: 24101, Object Level 3: 3324.
Section 4. That for the reasons set forth in the preamble hereto, which is incorporated by reference herein, this measure is deemed 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 ten (10) days thereafter if the Mayor neither signs nor vetoes the same.