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Home My WebLink About1999 05 24 Regular Item C COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM C Consent Informational Public Hearing Regular X Mav 24. 1999 Meeti ng M~PT. Authorization REQUEST: City Attorney requests City Commission authorize payment of fees to Holland & Knight, LLP. for services and costs over and above those contracted for in Partyka vs. Blake, Gennell, et al., and the City of Winter Springs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the City Commission to authorize payment of fees to Holland and Knight, LLP for services and costs over and above those contracted for in Partyka vs. Blake, Gennell, et aI., and the City of Winter Springs, CONSIDERATION: Holland & Knight was hired to defend the Commission in their official capacities and the City of Winter Springs, once properly joined, in the lawsuit filed by Paul p, Partyka over his power under the City Charter, as Mayor, to unilaterally terminate the City Attorney without consulting the City Commission, Holland and Knight was retained for a flat .fee of $10,000.00 plus expenses to handle this matter at the trial level. ... Whe,n an appeal of the trial court decision was filed, the law firm took on additional work to respond to the appellate courts direction regarding the nature of the final judgement required and the recusal of several judges. Also attached is a letter from the appellate firm retained by the City expressing gratitude to the Holland & Knight firm and attorneys for their assistance in securing entry of the final judgement and record on appeal. FUNDING: These additional fees and costs sought by Holland & Knight total $4364.85, Note that the law firm elected not to bill the City for services after August 14, 1998 despite the fact that additional work was done on the appeal. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the City Attorney that the fees and costs in a sum not to exceed $4364.85 be paid to the law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, for additional services to the City in perfecting the appeal to the Fifth District Court of Appeals ATTACHMENTS: April 7, 1999 letter from Attorney Gregory J. Johnson of Holland and Knight. Summary Invoice date April 6, 1999. Letter from Attorney Paul J. Savage of Greenberg, Traurig, P.A. (Appellate Co- Counsel) COMMISISON ACTION: .< Law Offices HOLLAND & KNIGHI' LLP April 7, 1999 L'; AIlanIa Boca Raton Bosl~ Fort laudeIdale Jacksotlville Lakdand MBlbourm Mexico City MiamI Naw Ym1I N~m VIrginia Providence San Francisco st. Petersburg TaJlaIlasSM T afl1lil Washlnaton, D.C. West Palm Beach , 200 South Orangl! Avenue. Su~e 2600 , P.O. Box 1526 (ZIP 32802-1626) . Ollanllo. FIorilSa 32801 407-42S-&500 FAX 407-244-52B8 www.hkfaw.COOl ........----------------- GftllP7,;r. JobaDMn 407-244-5154 VIA HAND DELIVERY Robert D. Guthrie, Esquire . Frank Kruppenbaeher~ P.A. " 105 East Robinson Street, Suite 201 . Orlando, Florida 82801-1622 Re: Partyka v. Blake~ et al. Dear Bob; Enclosed is the updated statement of fees for consideration by the City Commission. The fees begin with the preparation and filing of the notice of appeal. . All services provided prior to that time were part of the prior fee agreement. Please note that the vast majority of time was spent on appeal issues. Also note that no fees were charged after August 14, 1998 despite the fact that further work was done on the appeal. Let me know if you need further information. Very truly yours, Enclosure cc: David Cardwell, Esquire w/o Enclosure HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP tL-- , "Johansen , O~L 1.2533811725 0t/J:"d ~ss~ ~ ~3HO~8N3dd~~ WdEv:E0 55. ~0 ^~w ,- :. ,.,J WlW O(:I;j,c;C3 'aOLLAm> & mIGJrl' I..1>1' :P.O. :Sox 32092 'Laxeland, Flo~~da 33602-2092 ,(94:1) 682-1.16:1 EIN 59-066381.9 City of Winter Springs Attn: RObe~t D. Guthrie Wil'Lt.e.r springs Cit.y Hall ,~~26 East. St.at.e Road 434 ,Wint.er Springs. FL 32707 " Atlanta Boea Raton Boston Fort Lauderdale Jacksonville Lakeland Melbourne Mexico City Miami New York Northern Virginia Orlando 1?:t:'ov:i.denee Som F~aneiseo April S, 1999 Invoice 826224 TERMS: DUE ON RECEIPT REMITTANCE COPY (PLEASE RETURN WITH YOUR PAYMENT) OUr Mat.t.e~ #05650~.OOOOl partyka vs. Blake, et. aI. Fees for Professional Services Reimbursable Costs INVOICE TOTAl. " BALANCE DUE TH:LS INVOICE $ 3,811. 00 SS3.aS $ 4,364.85 $ 4,364.85 __;a;;::;:a:accCl:C PLlilASE NOT!!: THAT THIS STATEMKNT IS DTJE AND PAY)U3;t.g ON UC:a::tPT. St . Peters):)u~ Tallahassee . Tampa Washington, D.'C. west palm Beadh IF YOU WISH TO REMIT BY WIRJ!: TRANSFER, PLBASIi: WIRE TRANSFER FUNDS TO: I' I I PIRST UNION NATIONAL BANX OF FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ABA #06~00002~ FOR CREDIT TO THE ACCOUNT O~f HOLLAND Go KNIGHT LLP ACCT. #209000239044l 07070 Pl..SMl!l :U~:r.CA'J'~ oua l-1Attml. ~Slt AS lt$'''Sl\ENCE ~N "lOw. w~~ 'J'~Sif'ga. 0l/2' d J6S~ ~ ~HO~aN3ddn~~ WdEv:E0 66. S0 ^~W 0: Law Offices BOLLAND &: IOnGBT LLP P.O. Box 3:2092 Lakeland, Florida 33802-2092 Atlanta Boca Raton Boston Fort Lauderdale Jacksonville Lakeland Melbourne Mexico City Miami New York Northern Virginia Orlanao providence San Franoisco (941) 682-11.61 B1.N 59-0663819 ,City of Winter Springs I~ttn: Robert n. Guthrie Winter Springs City Hall 1126 East State Road 434 winte~ springs, FL 32707 St. Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Washington, D .,C . west Palm Beadh .Apri.l 6, 1999 Invoice 826224 page l. TERMS: DUE ON RECEIPT j I For professional services rendered through January 1$, 1999 'in oonnection with the following: Our Matter #056509.00001 Partyka vs. Blake, et aI, '07(06(98 Final preparation an~ filing of notice of I appeal; attend Winter Springs City commission executive session re summary jud9\\\ent and a.ppeal. Gregory Johansen 3.30 hours at 185.00 per hour. ,07/07/98 Review copy of Summary Judgment Order entered by Judge Eaton. Evaluate judge' a decision and appeal. David cardwell .70 hours at 185.00 per hour. 07/07/98 Telephone conference with C. Gennell re retaining expert on Charter interpretation for appeal; straeegize re same. Gregory Johansen .80 hours at 285.00 per hour. 07/10/98 Telephone conference with B. Guthrie re Eaton recusal order an~ appeal issues. Gregory Johansen -30 nours at ~e5.QQ per nour. 07/13/98 Consider charter expert an~ appeal. David Cardwell .40 hours at las.OO per hour. 0l/E'd 610.50 129.50 148.00 55.50 74.00 ~ss~ ~ ~3H~~8N3ddn~~ Wdvv:E0 66. S0 ^~W J . City of Winter Springs Attn: Robert D. Guthrie Winter Spring~ City Hall 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, PL 32707 April 15, 1.999 Invoice 826224 Page :2 07/13/98 Receipt and review of order to show cause re final judgment; legal research re same; telephone conference with Bob Guthrie re same and executive Bession of city commission. c;regory Johansen. 1.90 hours at 185.00 per hour. 333..00 07/14/98 Prepare and transmit designation of reporter for transcript of summary judgment hearing; telephone cOn%erence with court reporter re same; telephone conference with B.Guthrie re same and response to order to show cause. Gregory Johansen .70 hours at las.oo per hOur. 129.50 07/15/99 Strategize re response to order to show cause, representation on appeal. Gregory Jobansen .40 hours at 185.00 per hour. 74.00 ;O~/16/9a Telephone eonfe:enoe with G. ~ohansen re his discussion with B. Guthrie re oounsel for appeal. Telephone conference with R. Guthrie re counsel for appeal. Oavid Cardwell .50 hours at .00 per hour. NO CHARGE 07/17/98 Telephone conference with R. Guthrie re counse~ for appeal. David cardwell .30 hours at 185.00 per hour. 55.50 07/20/98 Consider appeal DY individual commissioners. Discussion with G. Johansen re appeal status. Discussion witn G. Johansen re response to Order to Show Cause and his discussion with A. llngland. David Cardwell .50 hours at 185.00 per hour. 92.S0 I , /' I 07/20/98 Telephone conference with Arthur England re response to order to show cause; prepare and transmit response to appellate court; telephone conferenQ$ w~th a. Guthr~e re same; stratesize Te same. Gregory Johansen l.~O hours at 185.00 per hour. 351.50 0l/p'd ~ss~ ~ ~3H~~8N3dd~~ WdVP':E0 66. ~0 ^~W r - . \ ~'ci ty of Winter .springs :Attn: Robert D. Guthrie 'Winter SpriDae City Hall 11126 ~ast State Road 434 ,~inter Spr1ngs, ~ 32707 April 6', 1999 Invoice 826224 page 3 ~7/21/98 Receipt and review of sUb~titution of counsel; telephone conference with B. Guthrie re pro bono representation of one commissioner; strategize re same. Grego~ Johansen .20 hours at 185.00 per hour. ~'/2'/9S Telephone oonferenoe with B. Guthrie re pro bonO representation of commissioner. Gregory Johansen .20 hours at 185.00 per hour. :17 .00 37.00 :':07/31/98 Receipt and review of 5th DCA relipquishing jurisdiction to j'lJ.dgme.ne . Grego~ Johansen orc1er enter final .30 hours at 185.00 per hour. 55.50 '09/03/98 Telephone conference with B. Guthrie re appeal, entry of final judgment. Gregory Johansen .40 hours at 165.00 per hour. 74.00 ';08/05/98 Consider status and resuJ.t of conference ca1.1. with A. England. Telephone conference with R. Guthrie re status. issues. &trategies, and future actions. David Cardwell .50 hours at .00 per hour. .00 '08/05/98 Telephone conference with A. England and B. Guthrie re England's contact wi~h opposing counsel, strategy; strategize re same; ," tele1)hone conference with B. Guthrie re correspondence to Judge Baton to enter appealable judgment; prepare correspondence re same. Gregory Johansen 1.80 hours at ~as.oo per hour. 333.00 '06/06/96 Telephone conference with B. Guthrie re Judge Eaton letter; revise same. Gregory Johansen .30 hours at 185.00 per hour. 55.S0 ,oa/~O/9a Review letter from R. Pleus to Judge Eaton and ~tion to Disqualify Counsel. David Cardwell .20 hours at .00 per hour. .00 " 0l/S'd J6S~ ~ ~HJ~aN3ddn~~ WdSv:E0 66. S0 ^~W ,City of Winter Springs Attn: Robert D. Guthrie Winter springs City Hall 1126 Sast State Road 434 ,~inter Springs, ~ 32707 April. li, 1999 Invoice 826224 Page 4 oa/~2/ga Receipt and review of plaintiff's motion to disqualify; ~egin to prepare response to same; telephone conferenoe with B. Guthrie re same, and factual support; telephone conference with Judge Eaton's assistant re request for US to ~re~are final appealable judgment, analyze final summary judgment re same. Gregory Johansen 2.30 hours at 185.00 per hour. 425.50 '0&/:\.3/98 Prepare amended final summary judgment and transmit to Guthrie and England for review; :beg:i.n to prepare response to motion to disqualify, Gregory Johansen 1.90 hours at 185.00 per hour. 351.50 ;08/13/98 ResearCh when trial court loses jurisdiction on appeal, and research language necessary to maxe a decision a final appealable judgment. -Shane Haskin S.20 hours at .00 per hour. .00 ,08/14/98 Telephone conference with A. England re his approval of final judgment; telephone conferences with B. Guthrie re same and opposition to motion to disqualify; analyze oorrespondence and motions re same, oase law analysis re same; prepare oorrespondence to opposing counse2 re final judgment- G~ego~ Joh~nsen 2.10 hours at 195.00 per hour. ~aB.SO .08/11/98 Review draft response to Plaintiffs' Motion to Disqualify Counsel. David Cardwell .30 hours at ,DO per hour. ,00 OB/~7/9a ~evise and transmit response to motion to disqualify oounsel, legal research and case law analysis re same; telephone oonference with P. Savage re filing extension of time to file final judgment; telephone conferences with a. Guthrie re same and factual support for response; prepare correspondence to Judge Baton re response to motion to disqualify. Gregory Johansen 2.50 hours at ,00 per hour. .00 0l/9'd JSS~ ~ ~3HO~8N3ddn~~ WdSv:80 66, S0 ^~W ,City of Winter Springs At-tn: Robert D. Gut.hrie ,Minter Springs City Hall 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32707 April 6 I 19S19 Invoice 926224 Page S 08/18/99 Telephone co~!erences with P. savage re motion for extension of time to file final judgment, review ana revise sama; strategize re Alley recusali telephone confe~enea ~th B. Guthrie re same:. Gre~ory Johansen .90 hours at .00 per hour. .00 ,08/24/98 Telephone conference with P. Savage re filing rec:usal orde~. Gregory Johansen .30 hours at .00 per hour. .00 ',08/31/98 Receipt judge. Gregory and review of order assigning new Johansen .30 hours at .00 per hour. .00 ;,09/02/96 Telephone conference W'ieh P. savage r9 affidavit of city clark and attorney ~eneral's opinion to support ~rief; review and transmit same. Gregory Johansen .40 hours at .00 per hour. .00 09/10/98 Telephone conferences witb B. Guthrie re hearing on motion to disqualify and entry of final summary judgment; receipt and review of plaintiff's response to our responsive memo. Gregory Johansen .50 hours at .00 per hour. .00 \09/11/9& Pinal preparation for and representation at hearinq on motion to disqualifYI telephone conferences with B. Guthrie and appellate co-counsel re same. Gregory Johansen 1.510 hours at .00 per hour. .00 0~/14/9S Receipt and review of correspondence from opposing counsel re proposed order on disqualification; prepare correspondence to judge re objections. Gregory Johanse.n .30 hours at .00 per hour. .00 '09/16/98 Strategizs re conference call with opposing counsel and judge re order of disqualification and final summary judgment. Gregory Johansen .30 hours at .00 per hour. .00 01/L'd JSS~ ~ ~3HO~aN3ddn~~ WdSp:E0 66, S0 ^~W I . . I I Ciey of wineer springs Attn: Robert D. Guthrie winter springs City Ball ~426 Base Seaee Road 434 ineer Springs. FL 32707 ~ , ~ ~ 09/1.7/99 I I I ;:051/26/96 I I r01/08199 'J ;1 ,\ , 1 '. " I ~ , , I Telephone conference w:Ltb Judge Stephenson and opposing counsel re order on disqualification and enery of f:1.nal summary judgment; multiple telephone conferences w~th appellate counsel re same and filing of cert:1.fied copy of final summary judgment; eelepbone conference with B. Guthrie re same. Gregory Johansen .60 hours ae .00 per hour. Telephone conferences Greenberg, Traurig re record, transoript of sarne. Gregory Johansen with P. Savage of supplementing appellate hearing; review file re .50 hours at .00 per hour. Draft, edit and revise: audit response letter; strategize re same; telephone conference with client'representative re same. Gregory Johansen 2 . :3 0 hours at . 00 per bour. ~ota~ Fees for Profe5s~ona~ Serv~ces __.___.$ April 6, 1.999 Invoice S:2G22~ Page IS !llame Tide HOIll"B Rate value ------------------------ ...----..--...--- -...-.----- -------------- Cs:dvel1, Dav!.cS lr'~2:'l;no:r:" 1.00 0.00 0.00 caravell, Devil! Partner 1.90 185.00 ]51. 50 Jchaftsen. Gr=orv Partner 6.50 0.00 0.00 J~on, G:r:-Dg~ Partnsr 1.8.70 185.00 J,459.\!0 Heskin. -Shane 1M,. Clerk 5.30 0.00 0.00 Reimbursable costs through January ~5, ~~99 :06/16/99 'OG/~7/9a '06/17/9B ':06/17/98 .06/18/98 '106/19/98 tQ6/24/98 ~07/06/9B 0VS'd Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 4651 Choice Express (courier) . Inv.# 4653 Choioe Express (courier) . Inv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) . Inv,~ 4653 Choice Express (courier) . !nv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - inv.3 S?S4 David E Cardwell - Facsimile charges .00 .00 NO CHARGE 3.9)'l.00 G.OO Sl.OO 32.00 1.2.00 4.00 9.00 8.00 5.90 J6S~ ~ ~3HJ~BN3dd~~ Wd9p:E0 66. S0 )..l::lW . . ~ .. ~ity of Winter Springs Attn: Robert D. Guthrie Winter Springs City Hall 1~26 Bast State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32707 " ,in /21/98 08/07/98 08/J.8/98 ,09/~ 7/96 ~J./1.9/ge Choice Express (courier) ~ Inv.# 6202 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 1490 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 7572 02526329 Clerk - Obtain Certified copy of Summary Final Judgement Audit Response Preparation Photocopy postage Telecopy April 6, 1999 Invoi.ce 826224 page 7 Total Reimbursable Costs ...................$ Current 5illing for this Matter ............ BALANCE DUE THIS INVOICE ...................$ 07070 'P~E NOTE THAT TH:I:S STATEMEN1: :I:S DUE ~ P.ll.Y~LE ON !'mCET-'PT. L, , , ~ .' 131:/6 'd . 1 -. ~ JSS~ ~ ~HJ~aN3ddn~~ Wd9V:E13 104.00 24.00 :2~.OO a.oo ~2S.00 75.80 :13.1.5 95.00 553.85 4,364.85 4,364.es I j 66. S13 )"~W / D~ttN~f~D ..TTO~/II&\', ..,. loA"" r~~~~I~ r. .....,' . Paul C. Savage (!OS) 579-0720 DInlcr Paz (3OS) 961-5720 ~MalJ: savaSVll@&tlaw.com -----------..-------.-.. April 6, 1999 .Robert D. Guthrie. Esq. Law Offices of Frank Kruppenbacher 105 East Robinson Street, Suite 201 Orlando, Florida 32801-1622 Gregory J _ Johansen, Esq. David E. Cardwell. Esq. Holland & Knight, LLP 200 South Orange A venue. Suite 2600 Orlando. Florida 32801 Re: City of Winter Springs v. Panykf1 Fifth District Court of Appeal Case No. 98-1856 .Gentlemen: Enclosed is a copy of the opinion issued by the Fifth District CoUrt of Appeal in the above ease. Assuming that the decision of the district court remains undisturbed by any motion for rehearing, J want to call your attention to Rule 9.4OO(a) of the Honda Rules of Appellate Procedure. That rule allows the prevailing party to move for appellate costs in the trial court within thJrty days after the issuance of the appellate court mandate. Rule 9.400(a) directs the trial court to tax filing fees, transcript costs, and record preparation costs in favor of the prevailing party . I appreciate the opportunity I had to work with you toward a favorable result for the Commissioners and the City. In particular, I would like to thank Greg Johansen for taking the time to answer my questions, for working under time pressure to obtain an appealable, final order from the trial coun before 'the expiration of the district ~'s relinquWunent. and for providing our office with Dlany items upon wbich we relied in the briefs, including older versions of the City Charter and Opinions of the Attorney General construing the City Charter. 'Thank you for all the help. 32t~ Paul C. Savage' PCSIba M1AMIISAY"Ga'f1Cl:l4n6l""I..oII.~I07~,oloIOO 01/0l . d C:I\~Bh\!lBIlC TIlA\l1\~C 'H,OHIllIt." LIP1>t''' ROUtt &: QUEIITEl.. P,A, 1221 BRICKELL AVlttlUE MI,un; F~OlllDA 3313 1 305-S7!J.OSOO FAX 305.519-0717 MIAMI NEW YORK WAlIIlIlC~Olf. D.c. PHlLADEUBIA SAO PAULO FOR1' LAUDERIlIoLE W&lIT PALM BEACII OAUlfOO TAL~"R"SS~E J55tl '8 ~H:)tlS:N3ddfl~>t Wdl17: E0 66. S0 AtlW