Title
Legal Services Contract with Collins & Collins Law, PC (Board Investigation into June 25-26 and July 16, 2021 rain events)
Body
Agenda of: July 28, 2021
Item No.: 2021-322
Amount: $250,000.00
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Randal M. Brown
General Counsel
DATE: July 26, 2021
RE: Legal Services Contract with Collins & Collins Law, PC (Board Investigation into June 25-26 and July 16, 2021 rain events)
MOTION
The Board of Directors (Board) for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) recommends the (1) approval of a Legal Services Contract with Collins & Collins Law, PC and (2) authorization for the Board Chair to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote, including the execution of a Legal Services Agreement.
JUSTIFICATION
Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, the Board is authorized to contract for the services of persons or entities for rendering professional or technical assistance. The Board desires to retain legal and engineering firms for conducting a comprehensive and independent investigation into the June 25-26 and July 16, 2021 Rain Events.
The investigation will include a review of Conner Creek, Freud, Fairview and Blue Hill Pump Stations’ operations (electrical, personnel, operational activities, including electrical, personnel, and operational redundancies) and local systems’ operations that are tributaries to these pump stations (Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, St. Clair Shores, Southeast Macomb), and electric supply issues. In addition to the review of these pump stations, the final report will address the overall system, including causes of flooding throughout GLWA’s service area. The investigation and final report will include an evaluation of the standard operating procedures for these pump stations and any proposed changes to the station’s standard operating procedures. The final report will include short and long-range solutions for improving our pumping process so that large wet weather events are handled properly throughout the entire GLWA system. The final report will identify resources (grants and loans) that may pay for any recommended improvements to the system. Until the final report is complete, the firms shall provide periodic updates on the investigation to the Board, no later than every 30 days.
FINANCIAL PLAN IMPACT
Summary: The proposed contract with Collins & Collins Law, PC encompasses Operations & Maintenance expense only. The need for this contract was not known at the time the FY 2022 budget was developed. A budget amendment will be processed to transfer funds from Unallocated Reserves to fund this contract.
Funding Source: Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
Cost Center: Board of Directors (881151)
Expense Type: Contractual Professional Services
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter was presented to the Ad Hoc Storm Committee on July 21, 2021, which recommended the retention of Collins & Collins Law, PC.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This request does not impact the Shared Services Agreement.