SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Authorizing the Town to Retain the Law Firm of Clark Hill for Water Quality Matters
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
Department
PRESENTER(S): Todd Fessenden, Utilities Director
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 5 minutes
only required for non-consent items
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: $400 per hour
Balance Available: $338,560
Budget Line Item Number: 500-75-110-560000
New Appropriation Required: No
POLICY ISSUES:
The Town’s Water Quality Legal Counsel represents the Town in matters related to maintaining compliance with State regulations, ensuring that the Town’s regulatory permits are appropriate as well as ensuring new issues and actions by regulators or other parties do not injure the Town’s interests as well as other matters relevant to water quality.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Clark Hill engagement letter and retain Gabe Racz as the Town’s Water Quality Legal Counsel.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Gabe Racz has been the Town’s Water Quality Legal Counsel for over 10 years, his partner Justine Beckstrom has also represented the Town for many years. Gabe has recently moved his practice from Vranesh & Raisch (V&R), the Town’s Water Rights Counsel for over 30 years, to Clark Hill. As V&R will no longer retain a Water Quality Counsel and the Town has been very satisfied by Mr. Racz’s representation, we recommend engaging him and his new firm to continue his representation of the Town in this critical area.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Engagement Letter