Exh 3AAGENDA ITEM #3A
MARCH 23, 2005
• Mazch 21, 2005
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor
and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jim Hanso
. ~itp-Pvf --
SUBJECT: Follow-up eport
Bill for Legal Services defending Comn Plan Amendment for Johnston Island; The law firm
defending the city's Comp Plan Amendment dealing with Johnston Island, Pappas, Metcalf,
Jenks and Miller, has offered to reduce the amount charged to the city in this case by
approximately $6,000. The firm initially agreed to bill the City for an hourly rate that was 15%
below their normal fee, which is similar to the rates charged to other government entities.
However, after the case was dropped by the plaintiffs, Marsha Tjoflat, on behalf of Pappas,
• . Metcalf, offered to drop the rate to 20% below their normal hourly fee explaining that Atlantic
Beach was a small city that is not normally involved in this type of a case, to promote good will,
• and because she shared some dismay with us that the suit was dropped at the last minute just
• ~ before the judges order was due to be released. While the final revised bill has not been
received, it is expected to be approximately $100,000. However, I recommend that the amount of
$106,000 for additional legal services in the mid-year budget adjustments be passed as originally
written. The total charges year-to-date on March 1St show the legal services account over the
• year-to-date budget by approximately $8,800. This results partially from some of Alan Jensen's
time being charged in previous months to the Johnston Island case as well as various other legal
matters.