HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 TransmittalCITY COUNCIL AGENDA TRANSMITTAL
Meetine Date: July 10, 2024
Aeenda Item Title: Outside Legal Services; Approval of Amendment of Agreement with
Andrew Mai Esq.
Recommendation: The City Attorney recommends City Council authorize execution of an
Amendment of Agreement with Andrew Mai, Esq. for interim City
Attorney and complex matters, and give direction regarding existing
contract with the Special Magistrate.
Backeround: At the City Council meeting on June 12, 2024, the City Council held a
brief discussion on outside legal matters. Currently the City Attorney handles all legal matters on behalf of
the City except for those litigation matters handled by the carrier, Florida League of Cities.
The current City Charter provides for scenarios in which the City Manager is unavailable and provides for
a designated alternate. For the City Attorney, there is no proviso for same. As such, it is recommended to
have an interim City Attorney under contract for those scenarios or such times when the City Attorney
might be unavailable or legally otherwise necessary such as: legal conflicts, complex matters, sickness, or
emergency circumstances.
Mr. Andrew Mai, Esq., was selected by the City Council in March of 2023 to act as interim City Attorney.
The contract did not have an expiration date. Mr. Mai provided interim City Attorney and complex legal
services on behalf of the City until he left his prior law fine. At this time, it is recommended that the City
Council authorize an amendment to the existing agreement to substitute Mr. Mai for the firm and continue
to engage his services for interim City Attorney matters and complex matters as designated.
Mr. Mai's fees are proposed to be billed at $350 per billable hour. Upon approval, Mr. Mai will provide a
letter of engagement which will serve as the amended agreement.
As to the Special Magistrate, there is also currently an existing contract with Mr. Kelly Armitage who has
provided Special Magistrate services to the City for ten years. This agreement has not been amended in ten
years, nor has it been evaluated. The City Council has the option to continue under this Agreement or
consider alternatives, including utilization of a code enforcement board.
Both of these items are provided for in the City Attorney's annual budget
The City Attorney seeks City Council approval to execute an amended agreement with Mr. Mai, Esq. to
continue services and seeks City Council guidance as to the Special Magistrate. (Note: legal services are
not subject to public procurement obligations.)
IF AGENDA ITEM REOUIRES EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS:
Budgeted Amount: $30,000
Total Cost: N/A
Funds to Be Utilized for Appropriation: General Fund
Attachments:
1) Contract with Mr. Mai
2) Contract with Special Magistrate, Mr. Armitage
Administrative Services Department Review:ti
City Attorney Review:
Procurement Division Review(� 4aplicable: l
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City Manager Authorization: / (�
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