City Of Soda Springs, Idaho Request For Proposal
Release Date: March 21, 2024
Due Date: April 12, 2024
CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES
The City of Soda Springs, Idaho, hereby requests proposals for the position of City Attorney. The Applicant selected by the City would serve as legal counsel to the Mayor and City Council and will serve all City departments and various boards, committees, agencies, and commissions as set forth in Idaho Code 50-204 and 50-206. The City’s selection will be based on its evaluation of the written proposal, the Applicant’s qualifications and experience, client references, an oral presentation (if requested) and the overall fee structure. Proposals must be received by Chelsey Davids, City Attorney Assistant, on or before 4:00pm on Friday, April 12, 2024. Proposals can be submitted in writing or by email. All proposals shall provide a straightforward, concise delineation of the Applicant’s capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the request. Emphasis should be on completeness and clarity of content. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals for any reason, to negotiate with any attorney or law firm to select one or more of the applicants deemed to have submitted a proposal which in the judgment of the City is in the best interest of the City.
INSTRUCTIONS TO
APPLICANTS
1. Applicants are responsible for submitting their proposals to the City of Soda Springs City Hall, 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276 or by email to Chelsey Davids, City Attorney Assistant, [email protected] no later than 4:00pm on Friday, April 12, 2024.
2. Questions or clarifications to the technical specifications must be sent in writing to Chelsey Davids, City Attorney Assistant prior to the submission of the proposal to the above address or email.
3. All proposals must be typewritten.
INTRODUCTION
The City has a Mayor/City Council form of government with the Mayor operating as the Chief Executive Officer. The population of the City is approximately 3000. The annual budget is approximately $12 million for the Fiscal Year 2024. The City owns and operates the power system within the city limits along with providing the usual water and sewer services. The City is a municipal corporation and operates under extensive City policies and ordinances. Like most municipalities, the City is involved in a variety of activities which require a diversity of legal services. Land use, planning, zoning, law enforcement, labor relations, human resource matters and criminal misdemeanor law are among some of the services required. The City often conducts business using e-mail and other electronic media, when reasonable within the confines of confidentiality, public records requirements and other business constraints. To that end, it is frequently important for the City to be able to receive electronic copies of ordinances, policies, contracts and other documentation that are readable and editable by the City’s software.
THE PROPOSAL
Scope of Legal Services Required
The City is seeking proposals from Applicants having experience and qualifications in representing public sector entities, preferably municipalities. It is the intention of these specifications that the Applicant could be engaged to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to the following:
• Municipal Corporation Law - matters pertaining to municipal corporation law specifically, the laws affecting elections, finance, contracts, ordinances, boards, and commissions.
• Employment Law – matters pertaining to non-collective bargaining agreement claims, human resource law and policy including employee benefit issues.
• Collection Law – matters related to the collection of accounts receivables and other related collection issues.
• Litigation – litigation related to planning and zoning issues and governance matters pursuant to applicable law.
• Real Estate and Development Law – matters involving land development, real estate, leasing, and land use, including naming rights for facilities and the relation of all these issues to governmental bodies.
• Criminal Prosecution – consult and advise city police officers regarding all criminal charges, misdemeanors and infractions and attend court weekly.
Your response to the proposal should address, at a minimum, your capacity to provide services in each of the areas of legal work described above, including prior experience. You may add additional information that you deem to be appropriate.
Qualifications and Experience of Legal Counsel The proposal must identify the principal attorney(s) who will be providing legal services to the City. The proposal should demonstrate the qualifications, competence and capacity of the attorney(s) to represent the City in each of the municipal legal service areas. Resumes shall be submitted for each attorney specifically assigned to provide services to the City. The Applicant making a proposal must describe the expertise in providing municipal legal services, specifically identifying its expertise in dealing with State and Federal regulatory processes, zoning, land use, code enforcement, finance, taxation, environmental, economic development, real estate, labor, and employment,
legislation, law enforcement, criminal prosecution, government relations and litigation.
Client References
List three or more clients and references with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses who may be contacted by the City in connection with the proposal.
OTHER REQUIRED
NARRATIVE TOPICS
Good Standing and License: The Applicant submitting a proposal must provide proof of good standing and license to practice law before all courts and administrative agencies of the State of Idaho.
Access and Availability: Each Applicant will be required to attend at least two meetings a month (a hybrid of in-person and remote/virtual attendance can be considered) and must identify an address of the office of the attorney(s) who would provide services to the City and their proximity in miles and driving time to the City of Soda Springs City Hall. The Applicant must provide the processes they will undergo to assure that the handling of City of Soda Springs legal services are dealt with in a timely manner. Each Applicant shall identify their standard response time to questions and assistance [e.g. verbal response within four (4) hours, written response within two (2) days]. Applicants shall also explain availability in emergency situations when an immediate response is needed.
Meetings: Regular meetings are scheduled as follows:
• City Council – 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month beginning at 5:00pm and generally running for less than 2 hours.
• Planning and Zoning Commission – 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm and generally running for less than 2 hours.
• Staff Meeting – Every Tuesday at 10:00am
Compensation: Each Applicant must state the compensation that will be required for the services of the attorney(s). The City will entertain proposals for payment on an hourly basis, on a flat or fee capped basis, or any combination thereof. The compensation proposal will be inclusive and cover all costs associated with providing legal services to the City including attending at least two meetings a month and weekly court appearances. Itemized bills including the attorney providing the service, date, time and description of service and department requesting service will be required to be submitted before each payment will be made by the City. Such bills shall be submitted on a basis no more frequently than monthly.
Representation: The Applicant selected to provide legal services for the City would not be allowed to represent any person, corporate entity, or City employee in any action against the City or before any City board or committee in the regulatory process.
Specialized Counsel: The City shall not be restricted from appointing other counsel when, in the judgment of the City, the need arises. The City Attorney agrees that he/she will assist the Mayor, City Council, the City Clerk and other department heads in any way possible.
Selection Process: The City Attorney is a direct appointment of the Mayor and approval of the City Council. Proposals shall be reviewed by the Mayor and administrative staff who shall select proposals to be further reviewed by the City Council. The Mayor shall make a recommendation to the City Council, who shall make a final selection.
City Contact Information:
Chelsey Davids, City Attorney Assistant, 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, ID 83276
208-547-2600 [email protected]
