HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Reallocation of funds for outside counsel to assist Legal Department RESOLUTION NO. 16-506
RESOLUTION APPROVING REALLOCATION OF APPROVED FUNDS FOR
OUTSIDE COUNCIL TO BE DIVIDED BETWEEN COPPOLA LAW FIRM
AND HOPKINS & HUEBNER LAW FIRM
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS,the Legal Department has been short of staff since January 2016,and the initial
loss was an attorney who was hired by the City of Des Moines; and,
WHEREAS, prior to the position being filled, another staff employee left to take a job in
another part of the state; and,
WHEREAS,the loss of specific skills have left a large gap in the department's clerical and
litigation support functions; and,
WHEREAS, meanwhile, the Legal Department has seen an increase in the work load from
other departments, and Legal has fewer staff than normal to meet that demand; and,
WHEREAS, the Coppola Law Firm was approached to see if it, as outside counsel, would
be interested in assisting the City of Ames with prosecutions, to which it agreed; and,
WHEREAS, Megan Flynn of this law firm was assisting the Legal Department in this
capacity, however, her availability after July was uncertain due to her having a baby; and,
WHEREAS, at the Council's meeting on July 26, 2016, Legal requested Council approval
to execute an agreement to retain the Hopkins &Huebner Law Firm as outside counsel to replace
Megan Flynn's services; and,
WHEREAS,at the point when the agreement with Hopkins and Huebner was approved,the
original$50,000 to fund Ms.Flynn's prosecution work still had approximately$13,000 unspent,but
the bill for her July work had not been received; and,
WHEREAS,at that time,the Legal Department sought an additional$50,000 to be used once
the initial $50,000 was completely spent, and it was planned that Brent Hinders of Hopkins and
Huebner would be the attorney replacing Ms. Flynn's prosecution assistance; and,
WHEREAS, it has turned out that Ms. Flynn does not need to be replaced, as she is willing
and able to continue the prosecution work with virtually no interruption; and,
WHEREAS, Legal staff wishes to request approval to divide the funds approved, and split
its use between these two law firms; and,
WHEREAS,prosecutions will continue to be funded(in the amount of$25,000)with Ms.
Flynn performing those; and,
WHEREAS, the other$25,000 of the funds could allow select time-sensitive matters to be
transferred to the Hopkins firm for completion,rather than having to delay them until such time as
staff exists in-house to complete them; and,
WHEREAS, allowing this split of funding will permit the department to make the best use
of outside resources available.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the reallocation of approved funds in the amount of$50,000 for outside counsel to be split
between Coppola Law Firm (for prosecution assistance) and Hopkins & Huebner Law Firm (for
time-sensitive matters) is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 23rd day of August, 2016.
C�5�t"R* 144L.- A.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Nelson
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin,Nelson, Orazem
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 23rd day of August, 2016.