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Home My WebLink About2003 09 08 Regular D City Attorney Increased Fees COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM D Consent Informational Public Hearing Regular X September 8, 2003 Regular Meeting Mgr. p-- /Dept. Authorization REQUEST: The City Manager requesting the City Commission to take August 25,2003 Regular Agenda Item "F" from the Table for consideration related to increased fee for the City Labor Attorney. PURPOSE: This Agenda Item is needed for the City Commission to make a final determination regarding a request of the City Labor Attorney for an increase in fees. CONSIDERATIONS: At the August 25, 2003 Commission meeting the Commission tabled Regular Agenda Item "F" due to the fact that the attorney was unable to come to the meeting due to a schedule conflict. Mr. Mandel will be available at the September 8, 2003 meeting. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the City Commission remove from the Table and approve an increase in the City Labor Attorney's hourly rate from $130 to $150 per hour. ATTACHMENT: 1. Muller Mintz Letter of July 11, 2003 2. Regular Agenda Item "F" from August 25, 2003 meeting. COMMISSION ACTION: 090803_ Comm_ Regular _0 _Attorney-Fee _Increase. doc . Davld V. Kornrelch* Michael W. Casey, 11I* James C. Crosland* James S. Bramnlck* Gordon D. Rogers* Carmen S. Johnson* Jeffrey E. Mandel. Denise M. Heekln. Paul T. Ryder, Jr.* Benton N. Wood' Marlene Quintana Morales. ~ MUILFR MINTz 'BoaI1l CertIfIed In labor and Emplo\ment llIw LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEYS July 11, 2003 Mr. Ron McLemore City Manager City of Winter Springs 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, Florida 32708 Re: Labor and Employment Law Services Dear Ron: Davld C. Miller Jenna RInehart Rasslf* Debra M. Lubkln. Chrlstl A. Shelton leslie Miller Tomczak Davld A. Young lIana K. Green J. Michael Marshall EJik A. Nelson lalenla Cor1nne Evans Of Counsel Kelly Cheary Sulzberger Ray C. Muller (1924-1977) Herbert B. Mintz (1924-1993) Joseph A. Caldwell (1923-1996) After considerable review and analysis, we have determined that it is necessary to raise our hourly rate to $150. Last year, we raised our Central Florida public sector rates only minimally with the hope that we could continue to provide labor and employment law services to our public sector clients at below market rates (as we have done for many years). Unfortunately, this did not work as we are simply unable to offset our operating costs - particularly, the costs associated with hiring and retaining the best labor and employment law attorneys (including many who are Boar&Certified).. ;. Our research indicates that even at $150 per hour, we would still be below the hourly rates being charged by labor and employment attorneys representing other Central Florida public jurisdictions (e.g., Winter Park -- $185, Apopka -- $200). If such meets with the City's approval, we propose to implement the new rate with the commencement of the upcoming fiscal year (October 1,2003.) We have greatly enjoyed working with you and your staff and look forward to continuing our relationship for many more years. Very truly yours, ~~Mandel . G:\3o.1700\JEM124~nc.Wp'd Please reply to Or1ando Office: Muller Mintz, P.A. Suite 1525 255 South Orange Avenue Orlando, Florida 32801 Telephone 407-843-1400 Facsimile 407-843-1410 Suite 3600 200 South Blscayne Boulevard Miami, Florida 33131 Miami 305-358-5500 Broward 954-522-0393 Facsimile 305-379-3802 www.muiiermlnlZ.com . . . S:\City of Winter Springs\Docs\Agendas, Agenda Items, Minutes\Agenda Items\Calendar Year 2003\August 2003\August 25, 2003\082503_ Regular _ F _Attorney_Fee _Increase. doc COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM F Consent Informational Public Hearing Regular X August 25.2003 Regular Meeting ~J~ Mgr. I Dept. Authorization REQUEST: The City Manager requesting Commission remove from the Table and consider the City Labor Attorney's request for increase in fees. PURPOSE: This Agenda Item is needed to advise the City Commission to remove from the Table and consider the City Labor Attorney's request for an increase in fees. CONSIDERATIONS: The city is currently compensating the City Labor Attorney at an hourly rate of$130. As discussed in the attached letter, Mr. Mandel is advising the Commission of an increase in hourly rates from $130 to $150 per hour. Based upon my discussions with Mr. Mandel, the rate does not appear to be negotiable. I don't believe changing labor attorneys at this time would be a wise decision. FUNDING: "" It is difficult to assess the impact on our budget since it is all but impossible to predict the amount of services that will be required next year. Thus, I don't believe there is any reason to increase the $10,000 budgeted in the FY04 budget at this time. . . . S:\City of Winter Springs\Docs\Agendas, Agenda Items, Minutes\Agenda Items\Calendar Year 2003\August 2003\August 25, 2003\082503_ Regular] _Attorney ]ee _ Increase. doc RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the City Commission remove from the Table and approve an increase in the City Labor Attorney's hourly rate from $130 to $150 per hour. ATTACHMENT: Labor Attorney Letter of July 11, 2003 COMMISSION ACTION: