Item O8 08
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE �� i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
April 17, 2024
Agenda Item Number: 08
2023-2386
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: County Attorney
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Cynthia Hall
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to award contract for outside legal counsel for Monroe
County Planning Commission to the law firm of Vemis & Bowling of the Florida Keys, P.A., with a
contract to serve as backup counsel to Wolfe & Stevens, PLLC, the first and second highest ranked
respondents for this contract; also, approval to award contract to serve as outside legal counsel for
Monroe County Contractors Examining Board/Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals to
Vernis & Bowling of the Florida Keys, P.A., with a contract to serve as backup counsel to Fox
Rothschild, LLP, the first and second highest ranked respondents for this contract; also, approval for
County Attorney to negotiate and execute legal services agreements with the firms.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Monroe County hires attorneys to serve as outside legal counsel for the Monroe County Planning
Commission, the Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (CEB) and the Monroe County
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals (CBAA). County staff who appear before the
Planning Commission and CEB/CBAA are represented by the Monroe County Attorney's Office, which
cannot ethically represent both the staff and the Planning Commission, CEB, & CBAA.
In February 2024, Monroe County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP), calling for proposals from
qualified vendors to serve in these positions. Three (3)proposals were received. The proposals
included information about the qualifications and experience of the firms representing governmental
entities particularly in administrative and quasi-judicial hearings, with a particular emphasis on
experience with planning/zoning and building/construction law/construction trades; as well as
experience with Sunshine Law and public records issues.
All three firms indicated that they would be willing to serve as counsel for either body, and would be
willing to serve as backup for either body. Having a backup firm is advisable in case the attorneys from
the primary firm are unable to serve for any reason, including a conflict of interest.
A Selection Committee composed of County Attorney Bob Shillinger, Assistant County Attorneys
Kelly Dugan and Peter Morris, Planning Director Emily Schemper, and Assistant Building Official Rey
3603
Ortiz met in a publicly noticed zoom hearing on April 4, 2024, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Two of the
three vendors were also present.
After deliberating the Selection Committee voted to recommend as follows:
Counsel for Monroe County Planning Commission:
• Primary contract to Vernis & Bowling of the Florida Keys, P.A.
• Backup to Wolfe & Stevens, PLLC
Counsel for Monroe County Contractors' Examining Board/Construction Board of Adjustments
and Appeals:
• Primary contract to Vernis & Bowling of the Florida Keys, P.A.
• Backup to Fox Rothschild LLP
If for any reason the County would be unable to reach agreement on a contract with the law firms in
rank order, staff seeks approval to extend an agreement to the next law firm in rank order.
The RFP included a draft agreement. This agenda item also seeks approval for the County Attorney to
negotiate and execute a legal services agreement with the firms selected. The agreements will run for a
term of three (3)years.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
BOCC approval to issue the RFP: Feb. 2024
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
Scoring sheet P-537 m Outside Legal Counsel for Monroe County CEB-CBAA.pdf
Scoring sheet RFP-537 m Outside Legal Counsel for Monroe County Planning Commission.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: 4/17/2024
Expiration Date: 7/16/2027
Total Dollar Value of Contract: TBD, approx. $45,000 per year collectively
3604
Total Cost to County: TBD, approx. $45,000 per year collectively
Current Year Portion: Approx. $24,000
Budgeted: Yes
Source of Funds:
CPI: No.
Indirect Costs: N/A
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: No. If yes, amount:
Grant: No
County Match:
Insurance Required: Yes (to be included in negotiated legal services agreements)
Additional Details:
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