7.B.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 06/17/2025
- Co-Submitter:
- Sterling Solomon
- From:
- Patrick Brown, Purchasing Director
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: Approve the First Amendment to the Legal On-Call Contract for TSL Law Group, PLC
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve the First Amendment to the Legal On-Call Contract for TSL Law Group, PLC to increase the hourly rate.
- Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
TSL Law Group, PLC (TSL) has been under contract with the City of Flagstaff for on-call legal services in matters related to water rights since December 2022. During the tenure of the contract, TSL has provided legal representation at a very significantly reduced rate compared to the industry standard. Nonetheless, the City has required a great deal more work to be done by TSL due to multiple unforeseen and urgent needs related to many aspects of the City's involvement in water rights litigation and settlement negotiations. Efforts to secure and protect the City's future water supply resulted in an amount exceeding the original allocation in the on-call contract, due to a great deal more services by TSL in these matters. This amendment will adjust the compensation for TSL for the tenure of the agreement to accurately reflect the time and rate for TSL.
Financial Impact:
Project Name: Legal On-Call First Amendment
Cost: Up to a maximum of $1,250,000.00 per year
Account Number Budgeted: 202-08-300-1000-0-4205
FY Budgeted Amount: $1,735,385.00 is budgeted in that account for FY2025-26
Grant Funded: No
Funding Source: Water Fund
Cost: Up to a maximum of $1,250,000.00 per year
Account Number Budgeted: 202-08-300-1000-0-4205
FY Budgeted Amount: $1,735,385.00 is budgeted in that account for FY2025-26
Grant Funded: No
Funding Source: Water Fund
Policy Impact:
The City Council has long operated under the policy of ensuring a future water supply for the City of Flagstaff and its residents. This policy requires legal representation by external attorneys with specialized expertise in the realm of water rights. This amendment will allow that legal representation to continue as the City maintains its efforts to secure and protect its future water resources.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
In 2022, the TSL Law Group, PLC responded to a solicitation for an on-call contract to provide legal representation related water rights. Prior to 2022, Lee Storey and the TSL Law Group, PLC provided similar representation to the City under previous on-call contracts as well.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
- Approve the first amendment as drafted.
- Do not approve and give staff direction for alternate payment
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
N/A
Connection to Regional Plan:
N/A
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
N/A
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
N/A
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
N/A