HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Change Order to Legal Services Agreement for 161-kV Tie Line RESOLUTION NO. 11-368
RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER TO
PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR 161-KV TIE LINE
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS,the FY 2008/09 Capital Improvements Plant(CIP)includes a project to install a 161-
kV interconnection with MidAmerican Energy Company; and,
WHEREAS,in order to improve electric service reliability for our customers,there is the need for
an additional transmission line to connect to the regional electric transmission grid; and,
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2008, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued a final ruling, effectively
denying the City's petition for a franchise to construct its 161-kV transmission line outside the City limits
to northeast Ankeny; and,
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2008, the Council approved an engineering services agreement to
conduct a routing study as the City, again,began a process for obtaining a franchise; and,
WHEREAS,City staff interviewed representatives from two law firms that specialize in franchise
representation,and on September 3,2008,the City Council approved a retainer agreement for legal services
with the BrownWinick law firm of Des Moines,and at that time,staff anticipated the cost of these services
to be between $60,000 to $100,000; and,
WHEREAS, a purchase order was issued in the amount of$50,000 to begin the work, and on
September 22,2009,the City Council approved Change Order No. 1,increasing the amount of the purchase
order to $100,000; and,
WHEREAS,due to continued delays in receiving a decision from the IUB,on March 23,2010,the
Council approved Change Order No.2,increasing the amount of the purchase order to$150,000,and staff
has recently approved Change Order No. 3 to the P.O. in the amount of$10,000; and,
WHEREAS, at this time, staff is requesting that the Council approve Change Order No. 4 in an
amount of$85,000; and,
WHEREAS,this will allow for legal services necessary to obtain the electric transmission franchise
for the City to continue through the process of public hearings and the City's appearance before the
Administrative Law Judge
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that
Change Order No.4 to the professional legal services agreement with BrownWinick of Des Moines,Iowa,
increasing the amount by$85,000,making the total amount to the Purchase Order to $245,000,is hereby
approved,
ADOPTED THIS 26th day of July, 2011.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Goodman
Seconded by: Mahayni
Voting aye: Goodman,Mahayni, Orazem,Wacha
Voting nay: None Absent: Davis,Larson
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 26th day of July,2011.