HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-97-0100J-97-51
1110/97
RESOLUTION NO. _" =-_t( Q
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE
LAW FIRM OF WEISS, SEROTA & HELFMAN, P.A., TO SERVE
AS COUNSEL TO THE CITY OF MIAMI IN CONNECTION WITH
THE LAWSUIT, NEW TIMES NEWSPAPERS OF FLORIDA, INC.
VS. P. ANTHONY RIDDER, DADE COUNTY, CITY OF MIAMI,
AND THE MIAMI SPORTS AND EXHIBITION AUTHORITY,
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT, CASE_ NO. 96-09374
CA 02, WITH FUNDS FOR SAID SERVICES NOT TO EXCEED
$10,000; ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR FROM THE
SELF-INSURANCE AND INSURANCE TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT
CODE NO. 620103-653.
WHEREAS, on or about May 13, 1996, the City Attorney was required to engage
the services of Weiss, Serota & Helfman, P.A., in an amount not to exceed $4,500, for
the purposes of representing the City of Miami in an action for injunctive relief, declaratory
judgment and Writ of Mandamus as pertains to obtaining public records related to the
City's engagement of P. Anthony Ridder to act on behalf of the City of Miami in
negotiating with the Miami Heat franchise of the National Basketball Association for the
building and occupancy of a new arena to be built in downtown Miami; and
WHEREAS, because of protracted hearings and the continued scope of litigation, it
has become necessary to formally engage the services of Weiss, Serota & Helfman, P.A.,
to continue representation of the City in this matter through its conclusion;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
'CITY COMMISSION
MEETING OF
FEB 2 0 1997
Resolution - No,
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Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution
are hereby adopted by reference thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this
Section.
Section 2. The City Attorney's engagement of the law firm of Weiss, Serota &
Helfman, P.A., to serve as counsel to the City of Miami in connection with the lawsuit,
New Times Newspapers of Florida, Inc. Vs. P. Anthony Ridder, Dade County, City of
Miami, and the Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority, Case No. 96-09374 CA 02, in an
amount not to exceed $10,000, is hereby authorized, with funds therefor hereby allocated
from the Self -Insurance and Insurance Trust Fund, Account Code No. 620103-653.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of February , 1997.
E AROLLO, MAYOR
ATTEST:
WALTER J. EMAN, CITY CLERK
RISK MANAGEMENT REVIEW: BUDGETARY REVIEW:
( FRANK K. ROLLASON, DEPUTY CHIEF MICHAEL LWIN, DIRECTOR
CHIEF OF RISK MANAGEMENT DIVISION FINANCE DEPARTMENT
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
LI/
A. Q ZNN J S, III
CITY ATT R EY
W 1376:csk:AQJ
P_Z
97- 100°
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA 25
' INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO : Honorable Mayor and Members
of the City Commission
FROM
A. nes, III
City A mey
DATE : January 23, 1997 FILE : J-97-51
SUBJECT
Resolution authorizing the engagement
Law Finn of Weiss, Serota & Helfinan
REFERENCES:
New Tames Newspapers v. Ridder, of al
ENCLOSURES:
In May, 1996, the City Attorney was required to engage the services of
Weiss Serota & Helfinan for the purposes of representing the City of Miami in an
action filed by New Times Newspaper for injunctive relief, declaratory judgment
and writ of mandamus.
New Times had sought to obtain records they deemed subject to disclosure
under the Public Records Law as related to the City's engagement of P. Anthony
Ridder to act on behalf of the City in its negotiations with the Miami Heat to
maintain said professional basketball franchise in Miami.
What started out as a conceivable simple litigation matter has now turned
into a protracted fight. While the matter is close to conclusion, it will be necessary
to continue the services of Weiss Serota & Helfman to represent the City of
Miami's interest.
It is, therefore, respectfully requested that you continue the engagement
herein.
cc: Edward Marquez
City Manager
AQJ/rcl/W 181
97- 100
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