Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Rivenoak Law Group, P.C. for Legal Services Relative to Sustainability Initiatives ($85,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Rivenoak Law Group, P.C. in the amount of $85,000 for FY2023 for specialized legal services related to A2ZERO and sustainability related initiatives.
On June 1, 2020, City Council unanimously adopted the A2ZERO carbon neutrality plan (www.a2zero.org
). Achieving a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality, as outlined in the plan, raises many unique legal issues and opportunities. Given this, the City Attorney selected Rivenoak Law Group, P.C. as the law firm to provide legal services because of the firm's experience, expertise, and familiarity with the specialized legal issues.
The initial annual contract was for $50,000 (R-21-235) which was amended to $85,000 to meet the City's needs in this area (R-21-1913). The attached agreement with Rivenoak Law Group is for legal services to support A2ZERO and sustainability related efforts in Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023), to address additional specialized work on energy regulations and opportunities, green rental housing, streetlighting reliability rules, building and home energy performance options, and other energy-related actions, and the corresponding compensation for this work.
Staff believe $85,000 for FY2023 is the appropriate level for continued funding support based on work being undertaking and completed to date. As an example, the City leans on Rivenoak and has found their support critical in advancing the landfill solar project, rate case interventions, progress in the Voluntary Green Pricing program, support for potential virtual Power Reduction Agreements and creation of a carbon reduction offering, support with creation of a PPA contract vehicle for solar at City facilities, ...
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