Title
Resolution to Approve Professional Legal Services Agreement with Reiser and Frushour, P.L.L.C. to Provide Legal Representation as Court-appointed Counsel to Indigent Defendants ($249,728.64)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve a professional legal services agreement with Reiser and Frushour, P.L.L.C. to provide legal representation to indigent persons charged with misdemeanor offenses in the 15th Judicial District Court.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funds for these services are available in the approved FY18 Court budget. No additional funding is requested at this time.
The 15th Judicial District Court is required by law to appoint attorneys to represent indigent defendants when potential sanctions, including sanctions for violations of court orders, upon conviction may include incarceration. Reiser & Frushour, P.L.L.C. has experience providing these services.
The City issued Request for Proposals 17-11 to select a legal firm to provide indigent legal services to indigent defendants in the 15th Judicial District Court. The City only received one response to the RFP, which was from Reiser & Frushour, P.L.L.C.
The proposed agreement is for a one-year term with an option to extend the agreement for two additional one-year periods.
Reiser & Frushour complies with the City of Ann Arbor’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Ordinances.
Staff
Prepared by: Shryl Samborn, Court Administrator, 15th Judicial District Court
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Persons charged with misdemeanor violations for which incarceration may be imposed are entitled to legal representation;
Whereas, Persons who are determined by the 15th Judicial District Court to be indigent have the right to have counsel appointed by the Court to represent them at public expense;
Whereas, Funds for Court-appointed counsel for indigent persons have been approved in the 15th Judicial District Court’s FY 2018 Budget;
Whereas, The professional legal services agreement with Reiser and Frushour, P.L.L.C. includes the option for two one-year renewals; and
Whereas, Reiser and Frushour, P.L.L.C. complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-discrimination and Living Wage ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a one-year professional legal services agreement with Reiser and Frushour, P.L.L.C. to provide Court-appointed counsel for indigent defendants appearing in the 15th Judicial District Court in the amount of $249,728.64, with the option of two one-year renewal agreements on the same terms and conditions at the approval of the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the agreement following approval as to form by the City Attorney and as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.