title
RETENTION OF WINSTON & STRAWN LLP OR OTHER QUALIFIED OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL TO REPRESENT THE CITY IN THE REVIEW OF THE GAINESVILLE RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER'S POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (NB)
explanation
The General Manager for Utilities desires to retain outside counsel, familiar with renewable energy power purchase agreements, to represent the City d/b/a GRU in the review of the GREC Power Purchase Agreement. The General Manager has proposed that the City retain Jonathan Birenbaum and Lisa Cottle, of Winston & Strawn LLP, to perform such legal services. The General Manager has worked with Mr. Birenbaum on a previous occasion and believes that Mr. Birenbaum and his firm have extensive expertise in the energy sector which will benefit the City's review and evaluation of the GREC PPA.
The City Attorney's Office assisted the General Manager in confirming that Mr. Birenbaum and Ms. Cottle appear to have relevant qualifications and expertise to render the legal services requested by the General Manager.
To the extent that Winston & Strawn LLP is unable to agree to the City's standard terms of retention, the City Attorney's Office will work with the General Manager to seek other qualified counsel that could provide such legal services to the City.
fiscal note
The rates quoted by Winston Strawn, LLP are hourly rates of $880 for Ms. Cottle and $1,000 for Mr. Birenbaum. It is unknown at this time how many hours of work will be requested of outside counsel. Funding for outside counsel will be paid either from GRU budgeted funds for legal expenses or from unanticipated cost savings that GRU realizes.
recommendation
Authorize the Office of the City Attorney, on behalf of the General Manager for Utilities, to retain Winston & Strawn LLP or other qualified outside legal counsel for representation of the City in review of the GREC PPA.