Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will authorize the City Attorney to enter into a special counsel agreement with a committee of attorneys and law firms (collectively known as the City of Columbus Litigation Group) to assist the City Attorney with the investigation and potential litigation against others who manufactured, distributed, marketed or sold lead pigments and/or lead-based paint in the City of Columbus.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds do not need to be specifically budgeted for these services. There is no cost associated with this ordinance because the special counsel agreement will be a contingency fee arrangement with expenses advanced by special counsel. If a settlement is achieved, City Council authorization will be necessary to approve the settlement and appropriate payment of attorney fees and expenses in accordance with the terms of the special counsel agreement.
Emergency action is sought in order to immediately begin the investigation into the City's potential legal claims and to possibly recover funds in order to address and deter childhood lead poisoning through abatement, education and facilitation of treatment.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to enter into a special counsel agreement for legal services with a committee of attorneys and law firms (collectively known as the City of Columbus Litigation Group) which includes: Motley Rice, LLC; Crabbe Brown & James LLP; Jon L. Gelman, Esq.; O'Shea & Associates Co., LPA; Lipton Law LLC; and Gerken Law Office to advise and represent the City in matters relating to claims which the City has, or may have, against others relating to the presence of and effects from lead paint in the City of Columbus; and to declare an emergency.
Body
Whereas, although the use of lead paint was banned for residential use in the United States in 1978, lead paint is still present in and on many homes and buildings throughout the City of Columbus; and
Whereas, the Center for Disease C...
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