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Home My WebLink About1999 05 10 Regular Item F COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM F Consent Informational Public Hearing Regular X Mav 10. 1999 Meeting MG~PT. Authorizati n 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 & 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. When 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 Attornt~y Paul J. Savage of Greenberg, Traurig, P.A. (Appellate Co- Counsel) COMMISISON ACTION: Law Offices HOLLAND & KNIGlIT LLP April 7, 1999 t; AIlanIa Boca Raton Boston Fort Lauderdale J~tlville LakEland Melbourne Mexico City Miami N1lwYol1c Northern VIrginia Providence San Francisco St PetetlbU(Q TallahasSi8 T~ Washlogtlrl, D.C. Wesl Palm Beach . 200 Soulh Orange 4venue. Sulle 2GOO . P.O. Box 1626 (ZIP 32802-1526) . Oilalldo. Florida 32tIl1 407 -42S-&5OO FAX 407-244-5288 www.hklaw.COOI ...-...----------------- ~~. JobaDam1 407-244-5164 VIA ijAND DELIVERY Robert D, Guthrie, Esquire , Frank. Kruppenbacher, P.A. 0, 105 East Robinson Street, Suite 201 , Orlando, Florida 32801-1622 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 , OR.L 1 -253381/72.5 0~/~'d ~ss~ ~ ~3H~~8N3ddn~~ WdE~:E0 66, S0 ^~W :. r:J" t.c\w OU~r;ell 'HOLLAm> &: m:rGHT J..t.P :l?O. Box 32092 'Lak~land, Florida 33602-2092 .(94:1) 682-116:1 EIN 59-0663819 City of winter sp~ings .Attn: Robert D. Guthrie ~i1'l.ter springa City Hall ,~126 East State Road 434 ,Winter Springs, FL 32707 Atlanta Boca Raton Boa ton Fort Lauderdale Jacksonville Lakeland Melbourne Mexico City Miami New York Northern Virginia Orlando (J;t:'ov1dence Si'ilIl Francisco April Ii, ~999 Invoice 826224 TERMS: DUE ON RECE:IPT REMITTANCE COPY (PLEASE RETURN WITH YOUR PAYMENT) OUr Matter #056509.00001 partyka vs. Blake, et al. Fees for Professional Services Reimbursable Costs J:NVOICE TO'I'AL BALANCE DUE TIUS :tNVOI.CE $ 3,S~~_OO SS3.GS $ 4,364.85 $ 4,364.85 _;:;;a;;za:&ull:=ce:c PLEASE NOTE TlIAT TRIoS STATEMENT IS !IT)E AND l?AY)U3Ll!: ON UC:a::tJ?T. St. PetersDurg Tallahassee ' Tampa Washington, D .'C . West palm Beadh IF YOU WISH TO REMIT BY WIRE TRANSFER, PLEASE WIRE TRANSFER FUNDS TO: I' I I FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ABA #Q630Q002~ FOR CREDIT TO THE ACCOUNT OF. HOLLAND & KN!GHT LLP ~CCT. ~209000Z39044~ 07070 PI..EME :tNt>:r.CA'l'E O~ MA'!'tE~ ~E1.t M ~$'B~ENCE ~1~ "IO'\m w:r.~ 't~$l"n. 0VZ'd JSS~ ~ ~3HJ~aN3ddn~~ WdEv:E0 66, S0 ^~W -: La., Offices HOLLAND 6i; mIGHT LLP P,O. BOJe 3:2092 takeland. Florida 33802-2092 Atlanta Boca Raton Boston Fort Lauderdale JacklOonvi1.1.e I..ake1.and Melbow:ne Mexico City Miami New York Northern Virginia Orlanao Providence San FrclnciGCo (941) 682-1161 B'IN 59-0663819 ,City of Winter Springs IAttn~ Robert !), Guthrie Winter SpringlO City Hall ~~2G Sast State Road 434 Winter springs, FL 32707 St:. Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Washington, D "C, west Palm Beacfu .Apri.l 5. 1999 Invoice 626224 pa.ge 1- TERMS: DUE ON RECEIPT For professional services rendered through January 15, 1999 'in connection with the following: Our Matter #056509.00001 Partyka vs. Blake, et al. '07/06/98 Final preparation and filing of notice of I appeal; attend Winter Springs City Commission execut.ive session re summary judgt\\ent and appeal. . Gregory Johansen 3.30 hours at 185.00 per hour. ,07/07/98 Review copy o~ summary Judgment Order entered by Judge 'Eat.on.. E"laluate judge' B decision and appeal. David cardwell ,70 hours at 185.00 per hour. 07/07/98 Telephone conference with C. Gennell re retaining expert on chareer interpreeation for appeal; straeegize re same. Gregory Johansen .80 hours at 185.00 per hour. 07/10/~6 Telephone conference with B. Guthrie re Eaton recusal order ana appeal issues. Gregory Johansen -30 nours at ~65.00 per nour. 07/13/98 Consider charter expert and appeal. David Cardwell .40 hours at lBS.OO per hour. 0VE'd 610.50 129,50 248.00 55.50 74.00 JSS~ ~ ~3HJ~8~3ddn~~ Wdvv:E0 55, S0 ^~W \ ! City of Winter Springs Attn~ ~oQert D. Guthrie winter Springs City R~ll 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32707 April 6, 1999 Invoice 826224 1?a.ge 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 ex~eutive Bession of city commission, Gregory Johansen 1,80 hours at 185.00 per hour. 333..00 07/14/98 Prepare and transmit designation of reporter for transcript of summary judgment hearing; telephone conference with court reporter re same; telephone conference with B.Gutbrie 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 Johansen .40 hours at 185,00 per hour. 74.00 ;O;/~6/9a Telephone confe.rence with G. Johansen re his discussion with B. Guthrie re oounsel for appeal. Telephone oonference with R. Guthrie re counsel for appeal. David Cardwell ,50 hours at ,00 per hour. NO CHARGE 07/17/98 Telephone conference with R, Guthrie re counsel for appeal, David Cardwell .30 hours at 185,00 per hour. 55,50 07/20/98 Consider appeal by individual commissioners. Discussion with G. Johansen re appeal status, Discussion wito G. Johansen re response to order to Show Cause and his discussion with A. England. David Cardwell .50 hours at 185.00 per hour. 92.50 07/20/98 Telephone conference with Arthur England re response to order to show cause; prepare and transmit response to appellate court; telephone conferenoe with ~. Guthrie re same; strategize re same. Gregory Johansen 1.90 hours at 185,00 per hour. 351.50 0~/p'd ~ss~ ~ ~3H~~HN3ddn~~ Wdpp:E0 66, ~0 ^~W r - . \ ~City of Winter Springe :Attn: Robert D, Guthrie 'Winter Springe City H.a.ll '1126 East State Road 434 .~inter Springs, FL 32707 April 6, ~999 Invoice 826224 1?age 3 ~7/21/9B Receipt and review of substitution of counsel; telephone conference with B. Guthrie re pro bono representation of one commissioner; strategize re same. Gregory Johansen .20 hours at 185.00 per hour. 37.00 ~'/2'/99 Telephone conference with B. Guthrie re pro bono representation of commissioner. Gregory Johansen ,20 hours at 185,00 per hour_ 37_00 :.:07/31/98 Receipt and review of 5th DCA relinquishing juriSdiction to judgment. Gregory Johansen order enter final .30 hours at 185.00 per hour, 55.50 '09/03/99 Telephone conference with S, Guthrie re appeal, entry of fina.l judgment. Gregory Johansen .40 hours at 165,00 per hour, 74,00 ';08/Q5/98 Consider stat.us and result of conference call with A. Bngl~d. Telephone conference with R. Guthrie re status. issues. strategies, 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 wich opposing counsel, strategy; strategize re same; tele-phone conference with 'B, Guthrie re correspondence to Judge Eaton to enter appealable judgment; prepare correspondence re same. Gregory Johansen 1.S0 hours at ~ss.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. 55.50 .oa/~o/9a Review letter from R. Pleus to Judge Eaton and MOtion to Diequalify Counsel. David Cardwell .20 hours at .00 per hour, .00 0l/S . d JSS~ ~ ~3HJ~HN3ddn~~ WdSp:E0 66, S0 ^~w : ,City of Winter Springs Attn: Robert D, Guthrie Winter springs City Hall 112G East State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32707 April. 6, J.999 Invoice 826224 Page 4 oe/J.2/ge Receipt and review of plaintiff's motion to disqualify; begin to prepare response to same; telephone conference with B. Guthrie re same, and faotual. support; tel.ephone oonference with JuOge 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 'oe/~3/98 Prepare amended final summary judgment and transmit to Guthrie and England for review; begin to prepare response to motion to disq\.lalify, Gregory Johansen 1.90 hours at 185,00 per hour, 351,50 :oa/13/Sl8 Research when trial court loees jurisdiction on appeal, and research language necessary to maxe a deoision a. final appea.lable judgment, -Shane Heskin 5,20 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, case law analysis re same; prepare oorrespondence to opposing counsel re final judgment. Gregory Johansen 2.10 hours at J.85.00 p@r hour. :;a8.S0 " -08/17/98 Revi@w draft response to Plaintiffs' Motion to Disqualify Counsel. David Cardwell .30 hours at ,00 per hour. ,00 oa/~'/9a Revis@ and transmit response to motion to disqualify counsel, legal research and case la.w analysis re same; telephone conference with P. savage re filing exeension of time to file final judgment; telephone conferences with B. Guthrie re aame and fac~ual support for response; prepare correspondence to Judge Baton re response to motion to disqualify. Gregory Johansen 2.50 hours at .00 per hour. .00 01/9'd )SS~ ~ ~3H)~HN3ddn~~ WdSp:E0 55, S0 ^~W .City of Winter Springs Acto: Robert. D. Guchrie .~inter Sprin~s City Hall 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32707 08/18/99 Telephone conferences with P. Savage re motion for extension of time to file final judgment, review and revise aame, strategize re ~ley recusali telephone conference with B. Guthrie re same. Gregory Johansen .90 hours at -00 per hour. ,06/24/9a Telephone conference with P. Savage re filing rec:u.sal order. Gregory Johansen .30 hours at .00 per hour. '.08/31/98 Receipt judge. Gregory and review of order assigning new Johansen .30 hours at .00 per hour, '09/02/96 Telephone conference ~th P. savage re " affidavit of city clerk and attorney general's opinion to support brief; review and transmit sa.me. Gregory Johansen .40 hours at .00 per hour. 09/10/98 Telephone conferences with B. Guthrie re hearing on mQtion 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. ,09/11/9S Final preparation for and representation at hearinq on motion to disqualifYI telephone conferences with B. Guthrie and appellate co-counsel re same. Gregory Johansen 1.90 hours at .00 per hour, 09/14/98 Receipt and review of correspondence from opposing counsel re proposed order on disqualification; prepare correspondence to judge re objections. Grego1:)" Johansen .30 hou.rs at .00 per hour. '09/16/99 Strategize re conference call with opposing counsel and judge re order of disqualification and final summary judgment. Gregory Johansen . :3 0 hours at .00 per hour. 1\.pril S. 1999 Invoice S26224 pa.ge S ,00 .00 .00 .00 ,00 .00 .00 .00 0T/ 2. . d JSS~ ~ ~3HJ~8N3ddn~~ WdS~:E0 66, S0 ^~W I . . I City of winter springs Attn: Robert D. Guthrie Winter springs City Hall ~~2G Bast State Road 434 inter Springs. FL 32707 I .. . . ~ " 09/H/99 I I I ;;09/28/98 I I tOl/08/99 ;~ .! ~ '. I ~ , I 1 Telephone conference with Judge Stephenson and opposing counsel re order on disqualification and entry of final Bummary judgment; multiple telephone conferences with appellate counsel re same and filing of certified copy of final summary judgment; telephone conference with B. Guthrie re same. Gregory Johansen .60 hours at .00 per hour. Telephone conferences Greenberg, Traurig re record, transoript of Slilme. Gregory Johansen with P. Savage of supplementing appellate hearing; review file re ,so hours at .00 per hour. Draft, edit and revise auaic ~Gponse letter; strategize re same; telephone conference with client'representative re same. Gregory Johansen 2.30 hours at .00 per hour. April 6, :1.999 Invoice 9:26:224 Page IS ~ota1 Fees for Profe5s~ona~ Services .._._..$ Name Ticl!!! Ho\'\~s Rata value ------------------------ ...-------..---- -...-...----- -------------- cardvell, Dav1d l''''~l:ner 1.00 0.00 0.00 C8.r4well, Davtd. Partm:r 1.~0 185.00 351.50 Johart.9l!!n. GrcqQTV PQrtnel:' 6.50 0.00 0.00 JO~o:n, G=9C~ part.nar 18.70 18S .00 J,4$!l.$0 Hesk1n. -Shal'1l!! La.. Clerk 5.:Z0 0.00 0.00 Reimbursable costs through January ~S, 1999 :06/3.6/ge '06/1.7/98 '06/17/98 ':06/17/98 ,06/18/98 ':06/19/98 "06/24/98 !07/06/98 0VS'd Choice Express (courier) - Inv,# 4653 Cho~ce Express (courier) - Inv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - !nv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 4653 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.~ S~S4 David E Cardwell - Facsimile charges .00 .00 NO CHARGE 3,8:11.. 00 6.00 9.00 32,00 :12.00 4.00 8.00 8.00 5.90 ~ss~ ~ ~3H~~aN3dd~~ Wd9p:E0 66, S0 ^~W . . ~ City of Winter Sprin~s Attn: Robert D, Guthrie Winter Springs City Hall 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32707 April 6, 1999 Invoice 826224 paga 7 " ,'07/21/98 Choice Express (courier) - Inv. # 6202 104.00 08/07/98 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 7490 24.00 08/18/98 Choice Express (courier) - Inv.# 7572 24,.00 ,09/17/98 02526329 Clerk - Obtain certified copy of e,oo ~l/l9/9a Summary Final Judgement Audit Response Preparation ~2S.00 Photocopy 75.80 Postage :13.15 Telecopy 95,00 Total Re~mbursable Costs ..........._..,.,.,$ 553,85 current Billing for thie ~tter ....___. ____ 4,364.S5 BALANCE DUE THIS INVOICE ...................$ 4,364.B5 PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS STATBMENT IS DUE 1'.NO PA,,{~LE ON Il.BCEI.PT, 07070 t. . , --, ,~ 0T/6'd )SS~ ~ ~3H)~8N3ddn~~ Wd9v:E0 66, S0 ^~W " ......... . / o~ttN~f~o ..TTO.....&Y~ ..,. I.^.... 1~~~~ID r. PmIl C. Savage (305) S794TlO Dirclor PM: (3OS) 961-s720 s.MaD: saVll~.c:om --.------------._------~ 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. Panyka 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, I want to call your attention to Rule 9.4OO(a) of the Aorida Rules of Appellate Procedure. That rule allows the prevailing party to move for appellate costs in the irial ccuTt within thirty 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 court before .the expiration of the district court.'s relinqujsbment. and for providing our office with many 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. !J2j~ Paul C. Savage' PCS/ba M1A1.(IISA Y A GEPflO14ZT6fm61..oII.DOCI.107i9!l1U9t6.010100 01/0T . d C:1\"'l!.Ii~E"C .1I"'\\1\\C H.I)H'MA~ L\j>1)VF ROSEn 8< QUEllTEl., l'.A. 1221 BRICKELL AY~NU~ l'>Il..ldl; FI.OIIlDA 31131 305-579-0500 FAX 305.519-0117 MUMI NEW YOIlK W^811IN~TOI'<, D.C. PKU.AOELPHI^ SAO PAULO FOIlT LAUOEIlD/.LE WEST P..LftI nEAClI 09."""00 TAI.....n..SSEE JSS~ ~ ~3HJ~aN3ddn~~ WdLv:E0 56, S0 ^~W