HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Approving Change Order No. 14 to Ritts Law Group Agreement for Electric Services Department RESOLUTION NO. 20-375
RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 14
TO RITTS LAW GROUP AGREEMENT FOR
ELECTRIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS,in September 2009,the City Council approved an engagement and retainer Agreement
with the Ritts Law Group, PLLC, of Alexandria, Virginia, (now Sanibel, Florida) for legal counsel and
related consulting services necessary for the City's Steam Electric Plant and Combustion Turbine Station
to comply with federal and state environmental laws and regulations; and,
WHEREAS,for the initial agreement,Council authorized the expenditure of an amount not exceed
$100,000; and, during the initial 12 months,Ritts worked closely with staff to evaluate projects and their
regulatory compliance implications scheduled for the Steam Electric Plant and the Combustion Turbine
Station; and,
WHEREAS, in the ensuing years, Ritts provided counsel and support on numerous and varied
environmental legal and regulatory compliance matters; and,
WHEREAS,since the initial engagement with the Ritts Law Group,PLLC,the City has expended
a total of$958,607.75 with this firm; and,
WHEREAS,additional funding authorization is now needed for the City to continue to receive legal
counsel and related consulting services regarding existing Clean Air Act and other existing and proposed
regulations that currently or could affect the City's electric utility; and,
WHEREAS,Council authorization is now requested to extend the engagement with the Ritts Law
Group,PLLC,for an additional amount of$75,000;budgeted funding in an amount of$75,000 is available
in the approved FY 20/21 Electric Services operating budget.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames,Iowa,that the
contract Change Order No. 14 in the amount of$75,000 to the Ritts Law Group, PLLC, for specialized
environmental legal counsel and extensive environmental analysis necessary for compliance with the United
States Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department ofNatural Resources environmental laws
and regulations is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 14'h day of July, 2020.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila,Mayor
Introduced by: Corrieri
Seconded by: Betcher
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen,Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck,Martin
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 14th day of July,2020.