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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Approving Conflict of Interest Waiver for Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm RESOLUTION NO.20-108 RESOLUTION APPROVING CONFLICT OF INTEREST WAIVER FOR AHLERS&COONEY LAW FIRM FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., law firm has requested from the City a conflict of interest waiver; and, WHEREAS,Ahlers&Cooney,P.C.,represents the City of Ames on certain matters,including labor law issues; and, WHEREAS, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., also represents the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU)in utility regulatory matters of interest to the Association;and, WHEREAS, the City of Ames is in the process of appealing a recent decision by the Iowa Utilities Board(lUB)regarding the Ames Electric Services' service territory; and, WHEREAS,the]AMU has been a parry to the proceedings before the IUB and will be a parry in the matter of the City's appeal of the TUB Order to District Court; and, WHEREAS, the IAMU's staff attorney has been representing the IAMU in this matter while it was before the IUB,but now that it is on appeal to the courts,the]AMU is having the Ahlers law firm represent the IAMU in the City's appeal for judicial review; and, WHEREAS, attorney conflict of interest rules generally prohibit an attorney or a law firm from representing a client who is involved in a matter that involves another client; and, WHEREAS, a conflict of interest waiver is just a way for the City to say that it is okay with us, as an Ahlers client,that Ahlers is representing IAMU in this matter; and, WHEREAS,Ahlers&Cooney,P.C.,works with the City on labor law issues,and this is a utility law matter, so there is no direct conflict. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the Conflict of Interest Waiver request by Ahlers&Cooney,P.C.,to represent the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 10"day of March,2020. Diane R.Voss,City Clerk John A.Haila,Mayor Introduced by: Corrieri Seconded by: Martin Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen,Betcher,Corrieri,Gartin,Junck,Martin Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 10`b day of March,2020.