Title
Legal Support Services for Charlotte Water
Action
Action:
A. Approve a contract with AquaLaw PLC for legal support services for a term of four years, and
B. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to renew the contract for up to three, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Patrick Baker, City Attorney's Office
Thomas Powers III, City Attorney's Office
Angela Charles, Charlotte Water
Explanation
* Charlotte Water holds an Interbasin Transfer certificate that regulates surface water transfers to support the Charlotte area's water demands.
* Charlotte Water's current Interbasin Transfer certificate was approved in 2002 to support the demands of the Charlotte Water service area.
* Current projections indicate the need for an increase permitting limit beyond the current certificate limit. This contract will provide additional legal consultation and support services for Charlotte Water's requested modification of its Interbasin Transfer certificate to increase the permitting limit.
* The request will be reviewed by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. It is anticipated the review process will take two to four years or more.
* Waiver of a competitive solicitation process for services may be granted on a limited basis when deemed appropriate and in the city's best interest. A waiver has been approved for these services based on the firm's legal experience handling and advising clients on water supply and Interbasin Transfer matters.
* At renewal, potential price adjustments may be considered based on legitimate and justified increases in the cost of doing business. The ability to consider price adjustments also allows the city to accept decreases, if warranted.
* Annual expenditures are estimated to be $500,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This contract is for specialized legal services. Per CBI Administrative Proc...
Click here for full text