Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RETAINER
OF VINCENT TOOMEY, LAW OFFICE OF
VINCENT TOOMEY, AS LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
COUNSEL FOR THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON,
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2027
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 153 of the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon, the Corporation Counsel has requested authorization to retain Vincent Toomey, of the Law Office of Vincent Toomey, to provide specialized labor and employment legal services to the City of Mount Vernon (the “City”); and
WHEREAS, the three attorneys currently assigned to the City’s Law Department have assumed labor and employment legal responsibilities in addition to their existing workloads; and
WHEREAS, the retention of outside labor and employment counsel is necessary to provide the City with specialized legal expertise, guidance, and representation in matters involving labor relations, employment law, and related legal issues; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Retainer Agreement provides that, effective January 1, 2027, the City shall be billed monthly for professional services rendered at the following hourly rates: Three Hundred Fifty-Five Dollars ($355.00) for partners and attorneys serving as counsel to the firm; Two Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($295.00) for associate attorneys; and Two Hundred Forty-Five Dollars ($245.00) for paralegals, together with reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the provision of legal services; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Retainer Agreement has been submitted to the City for review and countersignature; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Estimate finds that retaining specialized labor and employment counsel is necessary and in the best interests of the City to ensure the effective delivery of legal services and to support the operations of the Law Department; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Estimate of the City of Mount Vernon hereby approves the retention of Vincent Toomey, of the Law Office of Vincent Toomey, to provide labor and employment legal services to the City of Mount Vernon, effective January 1, 2027, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the proposed Retainer Agreement; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the approved hourly rates for professional services rendered under the Retainer Agreement shall be as follows:
1. Partners and attorneys serving as counsel to the firm: $355.00 per hour;
2. Associate attorneys: $295.00 per hour; and
3. Paralegals: $245.00 per hour;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the provision of legal services shall be reimbursable in accordance with the terms of the Retainer Agreement and applicable City requirements; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized to retain Vincent Toomey and to take all necessary actions to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution, and the appropriate City officials are authorized to execute the Retainer Agreement and any related documents, subject to review and approval as to form by the Corporation Counsel and compliance with all applicable legal, procurement, and fiscal requirements; and be it further
RESOLVED, that all payments for services rendered pursuant to the Retainer Agreement shall be subject to the submission and review of monthly invoices, verification of services performed, and the availability of duly authorized appropriations; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.