HomeMy WebLinkAbout09929ORDINANCE NO. 9929
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF PUEBLO,
A COLORADO MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND FAIRFIELD
AND WOODS, P.C., A COLORADO CORPORATION,
REGARDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF
PUEBLO IN THE CASE CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE
COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION REGARDING
THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO’S 2021
ELECTRIC RESOURCE PLAN AND COLORADO ENERGY PLAN
AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID
AGREEMENT
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
The Agreement for Professional Services dated April 13, 2021 between the City of Pueblo,
a Colorado municipal corporation and Fairfield and Woods, P.C., a Colorado corporation, a copy
of which is attached hereto (”Agreement”) having been approved as to form by the City Attorney,
is hereby approved. The Mayor is authorized to execute and deliver the Agreement in the name
of the City and the City Clerk is authorized to affix the seal of the City thereto and attest same.
SECTION 2.
The officers and staff of the City are authorized to perform all acts consistent with this
Ordinance and the attached Agreement to implement the policies and procedures described
herein.
SECTION 3.
This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of final action by the Mayor and City
Council.
Action by City Council:
Introduced and initial adoption of Ordinance by City Council on April 26, 2021 .
Final adoption of Ordinance by City Council on May 17, 2021 .
President of City Council
Action by the Mayor:
☒ Approved on May 19, 2021 .
□ Disapproved on based on the following objections:
_
Mayor
Action by City Council After Disapproval by the Mayor:
□ Council did not act to override the Mayor's veto.
□ Ordinance re-adopted on a vote of , on
□ Council action on _______ failed to override the Mayor’s veto.
President of City Council
ATTEST
City Clerk
City Clerk’s Office Item # R-12
Background Paper for Proposed
Ordinance
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 26, 2021
TO: President Lawrence W. Atencio and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar
VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk
FROM: Daniel C. Kogovsek, City Attorney
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF PUEBLO, A COLORADO MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION AND FAIRFIELD AND WOODS, P.C., A COLORADO
CORPORATION, REGARDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF
PUEBLO IN THE CASE CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE COLORADO
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION REGARDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE
COMPANY OF COLORADO’S 2021 ELECTRIC RESOURCE PLAN AND
COLORADO ENERGY PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE
SAID AGREEMENT
SUMMARY:
Attached is an Ordinance approving and authorizing the Mayor to sign an Agreement for
Professional Services with Fairfield and Woods, P.C. (“Attorneys”) to represent the City in the
case currently pending before Colorado Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) regarding the Public
Service Company of Colorado’s 2021 Electric Resource Plan and Colorado Energy Plan.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
Not applicable to this Ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
The PUC has recently opened a docket, Proceeding No. 21A-0141E, to review the 2021 Electric
Resource Plan and Colorado Energy Plan of Public Service Company of Colorado d/b/a Xcel
Energy (“Xcel”). Xcel’s plan calls for the closure of its Comanche 3 power station in 2040.
Environmental groups have intervened in the case calling for the plant to close in 2035 or even in
2030. The premature closure of the Comanche 3 station would cause severe economic harm to
the City and its residents.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The City will be represented in the PUC proceeding by Mark A. Davidson. Mr. Davidson’s normal
billing rate is $500 per hour. Mr. Davidson has agreed to give the City a 10% discount from his
normal billing rate. The proposed ordinance approves a fee agreement in which Mr. Davidson will
represent the Board of Water Works and the City in the PUC case. The Board of Water Works
has agreed to half of Mr. Davidson’s attorney fees.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Ordinance.
ALTERNATIVES:
If City Council does not approve this Ordinance, Attorneys will not be engaged to represent the
City in the proceeding currently pending before the PUC regarding Xcel’s 2021 Electric Resource
Plan and Colorado Energy Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Mayor and City Staff recommend approval of this Ordinance.
Attachments:
Proposed Ordinance;
Proposed Agreement for Professional Services
FAIRFIELD
A WOODSP.C.
Mark A. Davidson
(303) 894-4425
mdavidson@fwlaw.com
April 13, 2021
Sent via E-Mail: ngradisarpueblo.us; sclayton a,pueblowater.org
The Honorable Nicholas A. Gradisar Seth Clayton
Mayor of the City of Pueblo Pueblo Board of Water Works
1 City Hall Place 314 W. 4th Street
Pueblo, CO 81003 Pueblo, CO 81003
Re: Engagement Letter
Dear Mayor Gradisar and Mr. Clayton:
Thank you for selecting Fairfield and Woods, P.C.as attorneys for The City of Pueblo(the"City")
and The Pueblo Board of Water Works (the "Water Board"). This letter and the attached Policies
and Procedures Addendum are intended to set forth our agreement for providing legal services to
you.
You are retaining Fairfield and Woods, P.C.,as your attorneys to represent the City of Pueblo and
the Pueblo Board of Water Works in the application of Public Service Company of Colorado for
approval of its 2021 Electric Resource Plan and its Colorado Energy Plan, Proceeding No. 21A-
0141E.
1A-
0141E. You have not retained us at this time to take any other action on your behalf.
It is anticipated that I will be primarily responsible for your account. My current billing rate is
$500 per hour, however, I am discounting my rate by 10%to $450.
From time to time,other attorneys or paralegals may assist with this matter as needed. Their billing
rates may be different from the rates for those principally responsible for this matter. We reserve
the right to adjust our hourly rates from time to time, and will inform you of any changes in the
rates set forth herein.
At this time,we are not requesting a retainer. Rather,the City and the Water Board will be invoiced
monthly for the firm's fees and out-of-pocket costs. With respect to payment, the City and the
Water Board are equally responsible for payment of all legal expenses incurred,and the firm is not
required to, and will not, allocate or separate expenses.
In performing this work, our firm will be representing the City and the Water Board as an entities,
rather than you or any other individuals at the City and the Water Board. This means our duty is
to the City and the Water Board and we must place its welfare and interests ahead of the interests
of any individual within the City and the Water Board. In many cases, what is best for the City
and the Water Board will also be best for each individual at the entities. If a conflict of interest
arises, it may be necessary for you or each individual to obtain separate legal counsel. We are
1801 California Street• Suite 2600•Denver,Colorado 80202
t(303)830-2400•f(303)830-1033•www.fwlaw.com
kFAIRFIELD
.WOODSP�.
The Honorable Nicholas A. Gradisar
Seth Clayton
April 13,2021
Page 2
accepting this representation with the understanding that no such conflict issues exist. If you
become aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest,you must promptly advise us.
We want you to be confident and enthusiastic about our services and our representation of you.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to let us know how we can better serve you or if you have any
questions about the progress of the matter, our representation, our bills, other services we might
provide,or any other matter.
If the terms set forth herein and in the attached Policies and Procedures Addendum are acceptable,
please sign below and return a copy of this letter to me via email, copying my assistant, Celeste
Jourdonais at cjourdonais(dfwlaw.com. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
s/Mark A. Davidson
Mark A. Davidson
Fairfield and Woods, P.C.
MAD:crj
Attachment
I have read and hereby agree to the terms of the foregoing engagement letter and attached
Policies and Procedures Addendum.
THE CITY OF PUEBLO PUEBLO BOARD OF WATER WORKS
By: __________ BY / .4- �"'�i
Nicholas A. Gra tsar C a •
Mayor of the City of Pueblo Executive Direct.r
cc: Dan Kogosvek
City Attorney
111 FAIRFIELD
�WOODSP.C.
The Honorable Nicholas A. Gradisar
Seth Clayton
April 13,2021
Page 3
Policies and Procedures Addendum
Expenses and Disbursements: Our firm bills for out-of-pocket expenses separate from fees for
legal services. You are responsible for out-of-pocket disbursements, such as filing fees, hand
deliveries outside downtown Denver, overnight courier service, and travel expenses. We do not
charge for routine copying. However, we may charge for large copy projects performed in-house
at a rate of$0.20 per page. If time allows, and especially if the copying project is large, we often
send copying projects to a specialty company in order to reduce the cost. We do not currently
charge for downtown deliveries made by our employed messenger,for sending or receiving faxes,
or for routine first-class postage. We do not normally advance out-of-pocket costs of more than
$600.00, and if we receive a bill for such services we may ask that you pay it directly.
Adjustment to Hourly Rates. The firm reserves the right to adjust our hourly rates for attorneys
and other professionals from time to time. We will inform you of any changes in the rates
applicable to this engagement.
Billing and Payment: We will invoice you monthly for our legal fees and for expenses and
disbursements. Our invoices will itemize all time and expenses. All invoices are due upon receipt.
Unless otherwise specified in our Engagement Letter, your obligation to pay our invoices when
due is not contingent on the result achieved, and we cannot and do not guarantee any particular
result. We are confident that our clients make every effort to pay us promptly, and know you will
do likewise. Occasionally, however, a client has difficulty in making timely payment. To avoid
burdening clients who pay promptly with higher fees as a result of other clients who fail to pay
promptly,a late payment charge of one percent per month will be assessed on the last day of each
month against all unpaid fees and costs which were billed before the beginning of that month. In
the event we must commence legal action to collect any sums owed, you agree to pay all fees and
expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, which we incur. Should you ever have questions
about our bills,just let us know; we will gladly answer them.
Document and File Ownership: During the course of our representation of you,we will routinely
send you copies of external correspondence, pleadings, and other relevant documents regarding
the representation. Since you will be provided with such documents on an ongoing basis, you
agree that the files and documents maintained by us in our office belong to us, except for original
documents provided by you to us. Of course, if you should ever need copies of any documents
maintained in our files, we will provide them to you, at your expense.
File Retention and Destruction: Client agrees that any materials in the file may be destroyed, at
the firm's discretion, following 24 months after the matter for which we have provided
representation is concluded or the firm's representation ends. At any time prior to the passage of
said period you may request in writing the return of all materials/property provided to us during
the course of representation, but after said period of time any such items may be considered
FAIRFIELD
W00DS P.C.
The Honorable Nicholas A. Gradisar
Seth Clayton
April 13,2021
Page 4
abandoned. The firm is not required to provide notice prior to destruction of the file, but may do
so as a courtesy to clients.
Termination: You have the right to terminate our representation at any time. We have the right to
terminate our representation when termination is required or allowed under the Colorado Rules of
Professional Responsibility, including if you fail to pay our fees or expenses.
Governing Law and Venue: Our representation of you shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of Colorado. Exclusive
venue for any dispute in connection with our representation of you shall be in the state or federal
courts in Denver, Colorado, and you and we both consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.
Attorney Client Privilege: All written and verbal communication between you and the firm in
connection with this engagement are confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege.
In order to maintain this privilege, it is important that you do not discuss or disclose the
communications or advice given by the firm with any third parties. The disclosure of
communications or advice given by the firm in connection with this engagement to parties outside
the attorney-client relationship may waive this privilege. If you have questions about what
information may be shared in connection with this engagement, please contact us.
More Information About the Firm: A Firm brochure that provides information on all of our
attorneys and the other services we offer is either enclosed with this engagement letter or may be
downloaded from our web site, www.fwlaw.com. Our web site provides additional information
about our services, including numerous articles we have written on various legal subjects. We
would be happy to discuss any other legal needs you may have.
Our Office Hours: Our office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each business day, but we are
often here evenings and weekends to serve our clients. Feel free to contact any of the lawyers at
the firm at any time.
TelephoneNoicemail System: Our voice message system allows you to leave a detailed,
confidential message at any time for an attorney who is not available when you call. We strive to
return your calls as soon as possible. To reach an attorney or to leave a voice message, simply call
our switchboard at 303-830-2400, or use the direct dial of the attorney. If you do not know the
extension of the attorney you are calling after business hours,just follow the instructions you hear
and you will be able to reach that person by spelling on the telephone keypad.
E-Mail: You may also reach us via e-mail. The Internet e-mail address for anyone in the firm is
the first initial of the person's first name,followed immediately by the person's last name,followed
by @fwlaw.com.