Item M17
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: August 20. 2008
Bulk Item: Yes XX No
Division: GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Staff Contact Person: Derek V. Howard
Telephone No. (305) 292-3172
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of Agreement for Expert Witness and Consulting Services with FEMA Law
Associates, PLLC.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The County is involved in several inverse condemnation matters arising over allegations
that the County's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations have resulted
in regulatory takings of the subject properties. Many of the County's regulations have
been adopted to help implement Federal as well as State laws, regulations, and policies.
The firm's principal, Ernest B. Abbott, previously served as General Counsel to FEMA.
Mr. Abbott will provide testimony regarding the role the Federal government has played
in imposing the relevant regulations.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: None.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: None.
ST AFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval.
TOTAL COST: to be determined BUDGETED: YES X NO
COST TO COUNTY: to be determined SOURCE OF FUNDS: Ad valoreum
REVENUE PRODUCING: YES
NO.....L AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY:
County Atty X OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA Item#
MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONTRACT SUMMARY
Contract with: FEMA Law Associates Contract #_
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Contract PurposelDescription:
Provide expert witness and consulting services in connection with various litigation
matters including but not limited to Galleon Bay Corp. v.
Monroe County & State of Florida (Circuit Court Case No. CAK-02-595), and the County's
oarticioation in the National Flood Insurance ProQram.
Contract Manager: Derek Howard 3172 County Attorney
(Name) (Ext. ) (Department/Stop #)
for BOCC meeting on 8/20/08 Agenda Deadline: 8/5/08
CONTRACT COSTS
Total Dollar Value of Contract: $
Budgeted? YesD No D Account Codes:
Grant: $
County Match: $
Current Year Portion: $
..l!:iL. - ~ ~-a{) - cJ/ ,f1-_
- - - -
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Estimated Ongoing Costs: $Q/yr
(Not included in dollar value above)
ADDITIONAL COSTS
For:
(eg. maintenance, utilities, ianitorial, salaries, etc.)
CONTRACT REVIEW
Changes
Date In Needed.......,/
Division Director 1-5-D' YesD No~ __
Risk Management &:&0 Y Y esD No~
O.M.B./Purchasing ~ YesD NoOV t fclc'
County Attorney #Y YesD Nog . ~ A~
Comments:
Date Out
1-5"-I>~
AGREEMENT FOR EXPERT WITNESS
AND CONSULTING SERVICES
TIDS AGREEMENT is made as of this 5th day of August, 2008, between
Monroe County ("COUNTY"), a political subdivision of the State of Florida, whose
address is 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, Florida 33040 and FEMA Law Associates,
PLLC, ("CONSULTANT"), whose address is Suite 1101, 805 15th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20005, for expert witness and consulting services in connection with the
lawsuit Galleon Bay v. Monroe County & State of Florida (Circuit Court Case No. CAK-
02-595) and other matters in litigation deemed appropriate for consultation by the County
Attorney and the Consultant ("Litigation"), and the County's participation in the National
Flood Insurance Program ("NFlP Participation").
WHEREAS, COUNTY desires to engage CONSULTANT to provide expert
witness and consulting services in NFlP-related issues in connection with the Litigation
and NFlP Participation;
WHEREAS, CONSULTANT desires to render these Services as described in
SECTION I, Scope of Services;
NOW, THEREFORE, COUNTY and CONSULTANT in consideration of the
mutual covenants contained herein, agree as follows:
SECTION I. SCOPE OF SERVICES
CONSULTANT, by and through its employee Ernest B. Abbott, will provide COUNTY
expert witness and consulting services in the connection with the Litigation, and
consulting services in connection with NFIP Participation.
SECTION n. COMPENSATION
-"'"
Compensation for CONSULTANT'S Services under this Agreement shall be as follows:
· Trial and deposition testimony (Mr. Abbott): $450.00 per hour.
· Trial preparation (including, but not limited to, preparation of expert report),
consulting, and affidavit testimony (Mr. Abbott): $350.00 per hour,
· Consulting regarding NFlP Participation: $350.00 per hour.
SECTION llL PAYMENT
Consultant shall be reimbursed for expenses only to the extent and in the amounts
authorized by Section 112.061, Florida Statutes and the Monroe County Code, payment
will be made periodically, but no more frequently than monthly, in arrears. Expenses
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shall be submitted by CONSULTANT and authorized by the COUNTY in writing with
backup documentation as required by the Clerk of Court.
The COUNTY'S performance and obligation to pay under this Agreement is contingent
upon an annual appropriation by the Board of County Commissioners and the approval of
the Board members at the time of contract initiation and its duration.
If the CONSULTANT'S duties, obligations and responsibilities are materially changed
by written amendment to this Agreement after execution of this Agreement,
compensation due to the CONSULTANT shall be equitably adjusted, either upward or
downward.
SECTION IV. PERIOD OF SERVICE
This Agreement shall become effective upon signature by all parties and shall continue in
effect until the services are completed or terminated. This Agreement may be terminated
by either party, with or without cause, upon seven days written notice to the other party.
SECTION V. NON-WAIVER OF IMMUNITY AND HOLD HARMLESS
COUNTY and CONSUTLANT acknowledge that COUNTY does not waive immunity
nor does COUNTY agree to hold the Consultant harmless; notwithstanding the
provisions of Sec. 768.28, Florida Statutes, the participation of the CONSULTANT and
the COUNTY in this Agreement and the acquisition of any commercial liability
insurance coverage, self-insurance coverage, or local government liability insurance pool
coverage shall not be deemed a waiver of immunity to the extent of liability coverage,
nor shall any contract entered into by the COUNTY be required to contain any provision
for waiver.
SECTION VI. CONTROLLING LAW
This Agreement is to be governed by the law of the State of Florida. Venue shall be in
Monroe County.
.~
SECTION VII. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions shall be valid and binding upon the parties. One or more waivers by either party
of any provision, tenn or condition shall not be construed by the other party as a waiver of
any subsequent breach of the same provision, tenn or condition.
SECTION vm NONDISCRIMlNA nON
CONSULTANT and COUNTY agree that there will be no discrimination against any
person, and it is expressly understood that upon a determination by a court of competent
jurisdiction that discrimination has occurred, this Agreement automatically terminates
without any further action on the part of any party, effective the date of the court order.
CONSULTANT or COUNTY agrees to comply with all Federal and Florida statutes, and
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.
all local ordinances, as applicable, relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are
not limited to: 1) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (pL 88-352) which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; 2) Title IX of the Education
Amendment of 1972, as amended (20 USC ss. 1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; 3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended (20 USC s. 794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of
handicaps; 4) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 USC ss. 6101-6107)
which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; 5), The Drug Abuse Office and
Treatment Act of 1972 (PL 92-255), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the
basis of drug abuse; 6) The Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention,
Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (pL 91-616), as amended, relating to
nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; 7) The Public Health
Service Act of 1912, ss. 523 and 527 (42 USC ss. 690dd-3 and 290ee-3), as amended,
relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patent records; 8) Title VITI of the
Civil Rights Act-of 1968 (42 use s. et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination
in the sale, rental or financing of housing; 9) The Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 USC s. 1201 Note), as maybe amended from time to time, relating to
nondiscrimination on the basis of disability; 10) Monroe County Code Chapter 13,
Article VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status
or age; 11) Any other nondiscrimination provisions in any Federal or state statutes which
may apply to the parties to, or the subject matter of, this Agreement.
SECTION IX. NOTICE
Any notices sent by the parties shall be deemed to have been duly served if delivered in
person to the. individuals and addresses listed below, or if delivered or sent by first class
mail, 'certified, return receipt, or by courier with proof of delivery. All written
correspondence to the COUNTY shall be dated and signed by an authorized
'representative of the CONSULTANT. The correspondence shall be directed to:
FOR COUNTY:
Mr. Robert Shillinger
Chief Assistant County Attorney
Monroe County Attorney's Office
1111 12th Street, Suite 408
Key West, Florida 33040
FOR CONSULT ANT:
Mr, Ernest B. Abbott
FEMA Law Associates, PLLC
Suite 1101, 805 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
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SECTION X. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES
Nothing contained herein shall create any relationship, contractual or otherwise, with or
any rights in favor of, any third party.
SECTION XI. BINDING EFFECT
The terms, covenants, conditions, and provisions of this Agreement shall bind and inure
to the benefit of the COUNTY and CONSULTANT and their respective legal
representatives, successors, and assigns.
SECTION Xu. ,AUTHORITY
Each party represents and warrants to the other that the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary County and
corporate action, as required by law.
SECTION XllI. ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES OR DISAGREEMENTS
COUNTY and CONSULTANT agree that all disputes and disagreements shall be
attempted to be resolved by meet and confer sessions between representatives of each of
the parties. If the issue or issues are still not resolved to the satisfaction of the parties,
then any party shall have the right to seek such relief or remedy as may be provided by
this Agreement or by Florida law. COUNTY and CONSULTANT specifically agree that
no party to this Agreement shall be required to enter into any arbitration proceedings
related to this Agreement.
SECTION XIV. COVENANT OF NO INTEREST
'iz;!
CONSULT ANT and COUNTY covenant that neither presently has any interest, and shall
not acquire any interest, which would conflict in any manner or degree with its
performance under this Agreement, and that only interest of each is to perform and
receive benefits as recited in this Agreement.
SECTION XV. CODE OF ETIDCS
COUNTY agrees that officers and employees of the COUNTY recognize and will be
required to comply with the standards of conduct for public officers and employees as
delineated in Section 112.313, Florida Statutes, regarding, but not limited to, solicitation
or acceptance of gifts; doing business with one's agency; unauthorized compensation;
misuse of public position, conflicting employment or contractual relationship; and
disclosure or use of certain information.
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SECTION XVI. EXECUTION
This Agreement, including any exhibits included herein, constitutes the entire Agreement
between CONSULTANT and COUNTY, and supersedes and controls over all prior written
or oral understandings. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only
by a written instrument duly executed by the parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first written above.
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Deputy Clerk
By:
Mayor/Chairman
Date:
Date:
FEMALAW ASSOCIATES
"CONSULT ANT"
Witnesses to Consultant
BY
NAME:
NAME:
Date:
, TITLE:
'~
ADDRESS:
NAME:
Date:
Date:
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