Loading...
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