Title
Resolution to Approve Amendment Number 1 to Renewal No. 1 to the Agreement with Rivenoak Law Group, PC for Legal Services for City Sustainability Efforts ($54,100 Amendment; $164,100 Total)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve Amendment Number 1 to Renewal No. 1 to the Agreement between the City and Rivenoak Law Group, PC in the amount of $54,100 for additional legal services in support of OSI initiatives including the City’s intervention in the DTE Rate Case MPSC Case No. U-21291, where these legal services will be paid from a Utility Consumer Protection Board grant.
The City has retained Rivenoak Law Group, PC to provide specialized legal services to support the City and the Office of Sustainability and Innovation with efforts to achieve the City’s A2Zero and other sustainability goals. For FY24, the Agreement was renewed July 10, 2023 by Renewal No. 1 in the amount of $110,000.
The City applied for and was awarded a Utility Consumer Protection Board grant to cover legal and expert costs relating to the City’s intervention in the DTE Rate Case, MPSC Case No. U-21291. The grant is for $72,500 with $52,500 being allocated for legal services to be provided by Rivenoak Law Group, PC in MPSC Case No. U-21291. These legal services will extend into the next fiscal year and should be made available without regard to fiscal year.
This Amendment is in the amount of $54,100 and is to amend the Renewal No. 1 to the Agreement with Rivenoak to reflect the UCPB grant and services relating to the City’s intervention in U-21291 and other OSI efforts. Staff recommends that City Council approve Amendment Number 1.
Rivenoak Law Group, PC complies with the City of Ann Arbor’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Ordinances.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding for these additional legal services is available in the approved FY2024 Sustainability and Innovations budget within the County Mental Health Millage Fund and the Utility Citizen Protection Board Grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Tim Wilhelm, Deputy City Attorney
Reviewed by: Missy Stults, Office of Sustainability & Innovations Director
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has engaged Rivenoak Law Group, PC for specialized legal services to support the City’s A2Zero and sustainability initiatives;
Whereas, The City renewed the Agreement with Rivenoak Law Group, PC through Renewal No. 1 for FY24 in the amount of $110,000;
Whereas, The City received a Utility Consumer Protection Board grant in the amount of $72,500 to cover legal costs relating to the City’s intervention in the DTE Rate Case, MPSC Case No. U-21291 of which $52,500 of these legal services will be provided by Rivenoak Law Group, PC;
Whereas, The City is also in need of additional specialized legal services from Rivenoak Law Group, PC for other City sustainability efforts and funding for these additional services is available within the approved Budgets of the Office of Sustainability and Innovation;
Whereas, City staff recommends approval of Amendment Number 1 to Renewal No. 1 to the Agreement with Rivenoak Law Group, PC for FY24 to reflect the additional needed services and available grant and budget funding; and
Whereas, Rivenoak Law Group, PC complies with the City of Ann Arbor’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve Amendment Number 1 to Renewal No. 1 to the Agreement with Rivenoak Law Group, PC in the amount of $54,100 for additional legal services relating to the City’s intervention in MPSC Case No. U-21291 and other sustainability efforts;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That the funds for these legal services be available without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take any necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.