HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-161-3266 - Opiods CrisisRESOLUTION NO. 2017-161-3266
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE THAT CERTAIN RETAINER
AGREEMENT WITH RONALD L. BOOK, P.A., NEWSOME
MELTON, P.A., PARKS LAW, LLC, AND KELLEY UUSTAL
PLC, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A," RELATING TO
OPIOID CLAIMS/LITIGATION; PROVIDING FOR THE
ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has been adversely affected by the ongoing
"opioid crisis", and
WHEREAS, the distributors of opioids have systematically allowed these
drugs to affect local governments, and
WHEREAS, the effects of opioid abuses are pervasive and cause increased
costs for medical care as well as the vestiges of addiction including increased fire,
rescue and police as well as other costs, and
WHEREAS, Mayor Oliver Gilbert has been approached by Ronald L. Book,
P.A., Newsome Melton, P.A., Parks Law, LLC, and Kelley Uustal PLC (the "Law
Firms"), who wish to represent the City on a on a contingency fee basis in litigation
against various distributors of opioids, and
WHEREAS, these Law Firms have joined forces in an effort to represent
governments and to assist them in recouping damages from the effects of illegal
opioid crisis, and
WHEREAS, although litigation in this area is novel and there are no
guarantees, there the potential for local governments to pursue claims against
these distributors, and
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-161-3266
WHEREAS, Mayor Gilbert is recommending, that the City Council authorize
these Law Firms to represent the City in claims against these distributors, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the attached Agreement, the Law Firms will
represent the City on a contingency fee basis, and the City will not incur any fees
or costs for the representation unless there is a monetary recovery, and
WHEREAS, if there is a recovery, the City will pay 30% of the gross
recovery to the attorneys representing the City and the City will be responsible for
the payment of costs out of the net recovery,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas
paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby
made a specific part of this Resolution.
Section 2: AUTHORIZATION: The City Council of the City of Miami Gardens
hereby authorizes the City Attorney to execute that certain Retainer Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
Section 3: EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately
upon its final passage.
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-161-3266
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 25, 2017.
7^7
OLIVER GILBERT, III, MAYOR
ATTEST:
RONETTA TAYLOR, ^^C, CITY CLERK
PREPARED BY: SONJA KNIGHTON DICKENS, CITY ATTORNEY
SPONSORED BY: MAYOR OLIVER GILBERT, III
Moved by: Robinson
Seconded by: Davis and Odom
VOTE: 7-0
Mayor Oliver Gilbert, III _x (Yes) (No)
Vice Mayor Erhabor Ighodaro, Ph.D. _x (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis _x (Yes) (No)
Councilman Rodney Harris _x (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Lillie Q. Odom _x (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Felicia Robinson _x (Yes) (No)
Councilman David Williams Jr _x (Yes) (No)
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-161-3266
18605 N W 27th Avenue, Suite 165
Miami Gardens, Florida 33056
City of Miami Gardens
Agenda Cover Memo
Council Meeting Date:
October 25, 2017 Item Type:
(Enter X in box)
Resolution Ordinance Other
X
Fiscal Impact:
(Enter X in box)
Yes
No Ordinance Reading:
(Enter X in box)
1st Reading 2nd Reading
X Public Hearing:
(Enter X in box)
Yes No Yes No
X
Funding Source:
Advertising Requirement:
(Enter X in box)
Yes No
X
Contract/P.O. Required:
(Enter X in box)
Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: N/A
X
Strategic Plan Related
(Enter X in box)
Yes No Strategic Plan Priority Area:
Enhance Organizational
Bus. & Economic Dev
Public Safety
Quality of Education
Qual. of Life & City Image
Communication
Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy: (list the
specific objective/strategy this item will address)
Sponsor Name
Oliver Gilbert,
Mayor Department: Mayor and Council
Short Title:
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
EXECUTE THAT CERTAIN RETAINER AGREEMENT WITH RONALD L.
BOOK, P.A., NEWSOME MELTON, P.A., PARKS LAW, LLC, AND KELLEY
UUSTAL PLC, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT “A,” RELATING TO
OPIOID CLAIMS/LITIGATION; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Staff Summary:
The State of Florida has been adversely affected by the ongoing “opioid crisis." Distributors of
opioids have systematically allowed these drugs to affect local governments, and the effects of
opioid abuses are pervasive and cause increased costs for medical care as well as the vestiges
of addiction including increased fire, rescue and police as well as other costs.
Mayor Oliver Gilbert has been approached by Ronald L. Book, P.A., Newsome Melton, P.A.,
Parks Law, LLC, and Kelley Uustal PLC (the “Law Firms”), who wish to represent the City on a
on a contingency fee basis in litigation against various distributors of opioids. These Law Firms
have joined forces in an effort to represent governments and to assist them in recouping
damages from the effects of illegal opioid crisis. Although litigation in this area is novel and
18605 N W 27th Avenue, Suite 165
Miami Gardens, Florida 33056
there are no guarantees, there the potential for local governments to pursue claims against
these distributors.
Mayor Gilbert is recommending, that the City Council authorize these Law Firms to represent
the City in claims against these distributors in accordance with the attached Agreement. The
Law Firms will represent the City on a contingency fee basis, and the City will not incur any fees
or costs for the representation unless there is a monetary recovery. If there is a recovery, the
City will pay 30% of the gross recovery to the Law Firms and the City will be responsible for the
payment of costs out of the net recovery.
Proposed Action:
That the City Council approves the Resolution.
Attachment:
Exhibit “A” - Retainer Agreement
Exhibit “B”- Executive Overview