Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance appropriates funds within the Employee Benefits Fund, and authorizes the City Attorney, on behalf of the Department of Human Resources, to modify a special legal counsel agreement with the law firm Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP to provide legal representation for special legal services and to add funds for payment of services. The law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP has agreed to provide such representation.
The term of the original contract is from June 5, 2025, until such time as the need for outside legal counsel ceases or the parties mutually agree to terminate this contract, contingent on budgeted funds and City Council approval. The special counsel engagement pertains to legal advice concerning the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, as well as the Petition for Representation Election regarding the rank of Police Deputy Chiefs filed with the State Employment Relations Board at the agreed-upon blended rate of $275 per hour, and not to exceed $50,000.00 without prior approval of the Columbus City Council.
Ordinance 0491-2026 authorized the City Attorney, on behalf of the Department of Human Resources, to modify and increase a special legal counsel agreement in the amount of $75,00.00 with the law firm Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP to provide legal representation pertaining to special legal services. Of the $75,000.00, $50,000.00 was for the Petition for Representation Election regarding the rank of Police Deputy Chiefs filed with the State Employment Relations Board.
This ordinance authorizes the City Attorney, on behalf of the Department of Human Resources, to modify the contract and add $225,000.00 in funds. The City of Columbus shall pay a blended rate of $275.00 per hour for said services after the submittal of detailed invoices documenting the work performed.
The original contract amount: $50,000.00 (PO522351)
The total of modification 1: ...
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