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File ID: #2895
Resolution
Sponsored by: Mayor Francis Suarez
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO ENGAGE OUTSIDE COUNSEL, ON A CONTINGENT FEE BASIS, ON TERMS TO BE
NEGOTIATED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY') IN
VIABLE LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST THE MANUFACTURERS AND/OR DISTRIBUTORS OF
PRESCRIPTION OPIATES IN AN EFFORT TO RECOVER DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE EXPENDITURE OF CITY RESOURCES IN COMBATING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
WITHIN THE CITY.
City of Miami City Hall
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Resolution
Enactment Number: R-17-0454
File Number: 2895 Final Action Date:9/28/2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO ENGAGE OUTSIDE COUNSEL, ON A CONTINGENT FEE BASIS, ON
TERMS TO BE NEGOTIATED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO REPRESENT THE CITY
OF MIAMI ("CITY") IN VIABLE LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST THE MANUFACTURERS
AND/OR DISTRIBUTORS OF PRESCRIPTION OPIATES IN AN EFFORT TO
RECOVER DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXPENDITURE OF CITY
RESOURCES IN COMBATING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC WITHIN THE CITY.
WHEREAS, there is an opioid addiction crisis in the City of Miami ("City") that
crosses all socioeconomic classes and often leads to illicit drug use, crime, overdose, and
death; and
WHEREAS, the manufacturers and/or distributors of prescription opioids have
manufactured, promoted, and marketed opioid medications by omitting critical information
about the drugs' addictive qualities and other risks associated with prolonged use which
have contributed to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the City; and
WHEREAS, the manufacturers and/or distributors of prescription opioids have
caused the City to expend resources to combat the significant consequences of the opioid
epidemic in the City; and
WHEREAS, lawsuits are being filed by states, counties, and municipalities across
the country against manufacturers and/or distributors of prescription opiates in an effort to
recover the costs associated with fighting the opioid epidemic, such as the costs for
naloxone, addiction treatment costs, social costs, programming and training costs,
healthcare costs, criminal justice and victimization costs, and lost productivity costs within
their respective jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission aims to explore and pursue all legal causes of
action available to the City to seek damages against the irresponsible manufacturers
and/or distributors of prescription opioids;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Attorney is authorized to engage outside counsel, on a
contingent fee basis, on terms to be negotiated by the City Attorney, to represent the City
in legal actions against the manufacturers and/or distributors of prescription opiates in an
effort to recover damages associated with the expenditure of City resources in combating
the opioid epidemic within the City.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption
and signature of the Mayor.'
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
1
ria ndez, ity ttor ey 9/19/2017
If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.