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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221019.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - PEEK GOLDSTONE, LLC WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Agreement for Professional Services between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, and Peek Goldstone, LLC, commencing March 23, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said agreement, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Agreement for Professional Services between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, and Peek Goldstone, LLC, be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said agreement. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 4th day of April, A.D., 2022, nunc pro tunc March 23, 2022. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: ddill.fA) •JC1.l►;t1 Scott K. James, Chair Weld County Clerk to the Board County Attorney Date of signature: Li /7/ cc . c OW 4/IS /22 2022-1019 HR0094 AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THIS AGREEMENT is made by and between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, whose address is 1150 O Street, Greeley, Colorado, 80631 ("County"), and Peek Goldstone, LLC, whose address is 822 7th Street, Suite 520, Greeley, Colorado 80631, ("Contractor"). WHEREAS, County desires to retain Contractor as an independent contractor to perform services as more particularly set forth below; and WHEREAS, Contractor has the time available to timely perform the services and is willing to perform the services according to the terms of this Agreement. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. Engagement of Contractor. County hereby retains Contractor, and Contractor hereby accepts engagement by County upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. 2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be from March 23, 2022, through and until December 31, 2022, and shall renew automatically for successive one (1) year terms thereafter unless sooner terminated pursuant to the terms of Section 11, below. 3. Services to be Performed. Contractor agrees to perform legal services for child support enforcement on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services ("DHS"). Additionally: a. Contractor shall periodically review with the Weld County Attorney or his representative findings from a monthly management report on performance elements produced by Child. Support. Such report shall identify if performance elements were met for DHS on: Contractor's timeliness and availability in responding to staff inquiries, and timeliness and availability to sign legal pleadings. Such reports shall also identify any instances where County position not advocated with the Court. b. Contractor shall meet quarterly with Child Support managers to provide guidance and resolve outstanding topics. The Weld County Attorney or his representative shall facilitate such quarterly meetings. c. Contractor shall meet when necessary with Child Support managers to staff difficult or problematic cases as identified by DHS. The Weld County Attorney or his representative shall facilitate such special meetings. d. Contractor shall participate in periodic formal meetings with Court staff as scheduled by the Court. The Weld County Attorney or his representative shall also attend such meetings. 1 2022-1019 N 400q t4 4. Compensation. a. County agrees to pay Contractor for legal services for child support enforcement at the rate of $240 per hour. Paralegal time is charged at $175 per hour, and secretarial time is charged at $75 per hour. Charges shall be based on the time actually spent performing the services but shall exclude travel time. b. Mileage may be submitted by Contractor for travel out of Weld County to complete the services promised in this Agreement for consideration of payment by County at the standard Weld County mileage rate. Contractor shall not be paid any other expenses unless set forth in this Agreement. c. Payment to Contractor will be made only upon presentation of a proper claim by Contractor, itemizing services performed and mileage expense incurred. Contractor's invoices shall: i. Identify court case numbers for all court appearances outside of the Division 2 docket. ii. Identify hours spent and not just dollar amounts. iii. Identify staff who performed service, including, but not limited to, other attorneys and paralegals. iv. To the extent possible, when there are multiple items on a date, list time spent on each item. 5. Additional Work. In the event the County shall require changes in the scope, character, or complexity of the work to be performed, and said changes cause an increase or decrease in the time required or the costs to the Contractor for performance, an equitable adjustment in fees and completion time shall be negotiated between the parties and this Agreement shall be modified accordingly by a supplemental Agreement. Any claims by the Contractor for adjustment hereunder must be made in writing prior to performance of any work covered in the anticipated supplemental Agreement. Any change in work made without such prior supplemental Agreement shall be deemed covered in the compensation and time provisions of this Agreement. 6. Independent Contractor. Contractor agrees that Contractor is an independent contractor and that neither Contractor nor Contractor's agents or employees are, or shall be deemed to be, agents or employees of the County for any purpose. Contractor shall have no authorization, express or implied, to bind the County to any agreement, liability, or understanding. The parties agree that Contractor will not become an employee of County, nor is Contractor entitled to any employee benefits from County as a result of the execution of this Agreement. 2 7. Warranty. Contractor warrants that services performed under this Agreement will be performed in a manner consistent with the professional standards governing such services and the provisions of this Agreement. 8. Case Files, Correspondence and Documents Considered County Property. All case files, correspondence and documents received or held in connection with the performance of this Agreement, whether or not such materials are in completed form, shall at all times be considered the property of the County. Contractor shall not make use of such material for purposes other than in connection with this Agreement without prior written approval of County. 9. Acceptance of Product not a Waiver. Upon completion of the work, Contractor shall submit to County originals of all test results, reports, etc., generated during completion of this work. Acceptance by County of reports and incidental material furnished under this Agreement shall not in any way relieve Contractor of responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work. Acceptance by the County of, or payment for, any services performed under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any of the County's rights under this Agreement or under the law generally. 10. Insurance. Contractor shall carry sufficient legal malpractice insurance workers' compensation insurance (if applicable) at Contractor's own cost and expense. 11. Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing the other party with a 60 -day written notice thereof In the event of an early termination, Contractor shall be paid for work performed up to the time of tennination and County shall be entitled the use of all material generated pursuant to this Agreement. 12. Non -Assignment. Contractor may not assign or transfer this Agreement, any interest therein or claim thereunder, without the prior written approval of County. 13. Access to Records. County shall have access to Contractor's financial records as they relate to this Agreement for purposes of audit. Such records shall be complete and available for audit 90 days after final payment hereunder and shall be retained and available for audit purposes for at least five years after final payment hereunder. 14. Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in each and all of the provisions of this Agreement. 15. Interruptions. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other for delays in delivery or failure to deliver or otherwise to perform any obligation under this Agreement, where such failure is due to any cause beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to Acts of God, fires, strikes, war, flood, earthquakes or Governmental actions. 16. Notices. Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed or delivered to the other party at that party's address as stated above. 3 17. Compliance. This Agreement and the provision of services hereunder shall be subject to the laws of Colorado and be in accordance with the policies, procedures, and practices of County. 18. Non -Exclusive Agreement. This Agreement is nonexclusive and County may engage or use other contractors or persons to perform services of the same or similar nature. 19. Certification. Contractor certifies that Contractor is not an illegal immigrant, and further, Contractor represents, warrants, and agrees that it has verified that Contractor does not employ any illegal aliens. If it is discovered that Contractor is an illegal immigrant, employs illegal aliens or subcontracts with illegal aliens, County can terminate this Agreement and Contractor may be held liable for damages. 20. Entire Agreement/Modifications. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter contained in this Agreement. This instrument supersedes all prior negotiation, representation, and understanding or agreements with respect to the subject matter contained in this Agreement. This Agreement may be changed or supplemented only by a written instrument signed by both parties. 21. Funding Contingency. No portion of this Agreement shall be deemed to create an obligation on the part of County to expend funds not otherwise appropriated or budgeted for. 22. No Conflict. No employee of Contractor nor any member of Contractor's family shall serve on a County Board, committee or hold any such position which either by rule, practice or action nominates, recommends, supervises Contractor's operations, or authorizes funding to Contractor. 23. Severability. If any term or condition of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced without such provision, to the extent that this Agreement is then capable of execution within the original intent of the parties. 24. Governmental Immunity. No portion of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any immunities the parties or their officers or employees may possess. 25. No Third Party Beneficiary. It is expressly understood and agreed that the enforcement of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and all rights of action relating to such enforcement, shall be strictly reserved to the undersigned parties and nothing in this Agreement shall give or allow any claim or right of action whatsoever by any other person not included in this Agreement. It is the express intention of the undersigned parties that any entity other than the undersigned parties receiving services or benefits under this Agreement shall be an incidental beneficiary only. 4 26. Computer Connection. So that Contractor may have necessary access to County case files, correspondence and records for the purpose of providing legal services for child support enforcement, County shall provide for Contractor County e-mail access and VPN access through the County system. County shall allow Contractor access to CCE. County shall provide Contractor with access to the common calendar used by DHS legal staff for the purpose of scheduling. 27. Limited Commission as Assistant County Attorney. For the purpose of providing legal services for child support enforcement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Contractor shall be given a limited commission of Assistant Weld County Attorney. As such, Contractor shall be allowed access to all Weld County DHS buildings. 28. Confidentiality. Contractor shall at all times, in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, during the period of this Agreement and for a reasonable time thereafter, maintain the confidentiality of DHS and its clients it serves, including any and all information obtained in the course of performing the legal services detailed in this Agreement, including, but not limitedto, any and all Federal and/or State tax information and Social Security numbers. 29. No New Child Support Cases. For the purpose of providing legal services for child support enforcement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and to avoid creating conflicts of interest, Contractor shall refrain from taking on any additional DR clients in Weld County, wherein it is anticipated that Weld County Child Support Services will be involved in the case, or Weld County Child Support Services is already involved in the case. 30. Conflict Cases. Contractor shall immediately inform Linda Goff, Lead. Supervising DHS Assistant Weld County Attorney, of any conflict cases that may arise in the course of Contractor's performing the legal services pursuant to this Agreement. 31. Scheduling Conflicts. Contractor shall arrange for backup coverage in case of scheduling conflicts that may arise in the course of Contractor's performing the legal services pursuant to this Agreement. 32. Monthly Management Report. Child Support Enforcement will provide the County Attorney with a monthly report to identify if performance elements are met including: timeliness and availability in responding to staff inquiries, timeliness and availability to sign legal pleadings, and identify any issues. Findings from the report will be reviewed with Contractor by the County Attorney or representative. 33. Meetings. County attorney or representative will periodically observe Contractor at court hearings, facilitate quarterly meetings with Contractor and Child Support Managers, facilitate special meetings with Contractor and Child Support Managers as issues arise, and participate in periodic fonmal meetings with Court staff as scheduled by the court. 5 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the 31st day of March, 2022. CONTRACTOR: Amanda Peek Peek Goldstone, LLC ATTEST: .47,4Wl 6: skr e4;t1 Weld County Clerk to the Bard WELD COUNTY, COLORADO BY: Deputy C CS k to the B BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS James, Chair APR 0 4 2022 APPROVED AS TO FUND PROVED AS TO SUBSTANCE: iidiath• Controller APPROVED AS TO FORM: County Attorney Elected Official or Department Head 6 ,tooz-a —/O/9 Hello