In a 5-2 vote on June 6, the Independence Township Board of Trustees approved a Request For Proposals (RFP) for new township attorneys.
Trustee Larry Rosso made the motion, seconded by Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen. The dissenting votes were Supervisor Dave Wagner and Trustee Charles Dunn.
Little discussion was held on the matter. Trustee Dunn was the only trustee to speak at length during board comments.
‘Is this for municipal and prosecution work?? he questioned. ‘What is the basis for this? is there a review process in place for the township’s current attorneys??
Dunn was informed that no review process is in place, and no reasons were given during board comments for the RFP.
In a later interview, Trustee Rosso said discussions on placing an RFP began late last year. He explained that shortly after Supervisor Wagner took office in 2005, the board accepted his recommendation for Karlstrom Cooney, LLP to handle general matters; however, difficulties have since arisen.
‘Unfortunately, the firm has some excellent people, but not the capacity or support staff to handle our size of development, especially commercial development happening,? said Rosso. ‘The situation was getting worse rather then getting better.
‘This is not something we really wanted to do, especially without the supervisor’s support, but we did ? we needed to.?
In addition to Karlstrom Cooney, LLP, the RFP also lists the following firms as serving the township: Secreat Wardle, Lynch, Hampton, Truex & Morley, P.C. (specific matters); Greg Schultz (labor counsel); and Dickinson Wright, PLLC (bond counsel).
During the meeting, Trustee Kelly clarified whether the RFP covers all township legal services. Rosso assured him the request does and adjusted his motion to reflect so. VanderVeen accepted the change.
The township’s RFP was dated for publication in the closest editions to June 7 of the Detroit Legal News and Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Responses to the RFP must be received within 30 days of the latest publication date.
All of the township’s current attorneys can respond to the RFP.