2007/11/07 Council Agenda Packet

EVERETT CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET PROJECT TITLE: Professional Services Contract Consent COUNCIL BILL# with Toweill Rice Taylor for Pro X Action Originating Department Legal Tern land use and code First Reading Contact Person Allan Giffen compliance hearing examiner Second Reading Phone Number x8725 services Third Reading FOR AGENDA OF November 7, 2007 Public Hearing Initialed by: Department Head CAA Council President e'vds Location Preceding Action Attachments Department(s) Approval Prior contract expired Contract Legal earlier this year Amount Budgeted $0 $120/per hour up to a Expenditure Required maximum of$6000 per year Account Number(s): Budget Remaining N/A Additional Required N/A DETAILED SUMMARY STATEMENT: The City currently does not have anyone appointed to the position of Hearing Examiner Pro Tem to hear land use and administrative civil code compliance matters. The previous contract with the Pro Tern has expired. Jim Driscoll, the City's Hearing Examiner since 1980, has recommended the firm of Toweill Rice Taylor for appointment to the pro tern position so that in the event that the Hearing Examiner has a conflict or an appearance of fairness issue, matters can be heard by a qualified Hearing Examiner Pro Tern in a timely manner. In the past 25 years, there have only been a few matters that Mr. Driscoll has not been able to hear. Toweill Rice Taylor is a firm of attorneys specializing in providing hearing examiner services to a variety of counties and cities in Washington. The compensation for the proposed contract would be$120 per hour not to exceed $6000 per year. The term of the initial appointment would be one year to commence on November 29, 2007. The professional services contract is attached. RECOMMENDATION (Exact action requested of Council): Authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services Contract with the firm of Toweill Rice Taylor for Pro Tern land use and code compliance hearing examiner services. 4