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ITEM: OUTSIDE LEGAL FEES AND COSTS
REQUEST: Approval of continued use of outside professional legal services with multiple firms in an amount up to $125,000 through September 30, 2020.
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EXPLANATION: The Village retains outside law firms to assist with pending lawsuits, human resources, and other specialty areas in which special expertise is needed. These outside legal expenses were anticipated and are part of the overall 2020 fiscal year legal budget.
To date, fees totaling $19,893.92 have been incurred for Johnson Anselmo for the Pine Tree Litigation. We have received an invoice for March, 2020 for services in connection with Pine Tree's appeal in the sum of $10,539.55, with additional invoices expected, which will exceed $25,000. In addition, we are utilizing the firm of Chane Soccaras for the Foreclosure Action, with fees to date in the amount of $13,151.37 and Lehtinen Schultz for multiple cases, including the Enforcement Action, with fees incurred to date of $13,239.21. Pursuant to the Village's purchasing policy, legal expenses are exempt from competitive bidding requirements. However, individual expenditures for which the cumulative totals are over $25,000, for any single project, require Council approval.
Staff recommends approval of continued use of outside legal services for multiple firms, including Johnson Anselmo, Chane Soccaras and Lehtinen Schultz, in an amount up to $125,000 through September 30, 2020. Any unused funds will be carried over to the fiscal year 2020 budget.
Sufficient funds have been allocated in the legal budget for outside legal services to cover the cost of these expenditures.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: NO QUASI-JUDICIAL:
FIRST READING: SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: Sufficient funds have been allocated in the Legal GL #10013130-531001 for outside legal services.
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Protecting our Investment
RECOMME...
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