Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
CORPORATION COUNSEL TO RETAIN
ARCINA RISK GROUP TO PERFORM INSURANCE
ARCHAEOLOGY AND CLAIMS ADVOCACY
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A
WRONGFUL INCARCERATION CLAIM
Whereas, pursuant to Section 153 of the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon, the Corporation Counsel, with the written consent of the Mayor, may engage legal counsel for compensation as approved by the Board of Estimate and Contract in matters involving the City; and
Whereas, by letter dated February 11, 2026, the Corporation Counsel recommended the retention of Arcina Risk Group to perform insurance archaeology and, if necessary, claims advocacy services in connection with the wrongful incarceration claim; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon is currently responding to a wrongful incarceration claim; and
Whereas, in connection with said claim, it is necessary to determine whether historical insurance coverage exists that may provide defense and/or indemnification to the City; and
Whereas, upon the recommendation of the City’s outside counsel, Quinn Law Group, it is advisable to engage a firm specializing in insurance archaeology and claims advocacy to locate and document any historical insurance policies or responsive coverage; and
Whereas, Arcina Risk Group possesses the expertise and experience necessary to identify, obtain, secure, and locate documentation of historical insurance coverage, and to engage with insurance markets to secure defense and indemnity obligations from any responsive insurers identified; and
Whereas, Arcina Risk Group has submitted a proposal to provide insurance archaeology services on a time-and-expense basis, with rates ranging from $315 to $400 per hour, typically blended to approximately $250 per hour based on the skills required for the task; and
Whereas, the estimated budget for the insurance archaeology project is between $20,000 and $25,000; and
Whereas, to the extent separate claims advocacy services are required, such services shall be billed on an as-needed hourly basis under the same rate schedule, typically blended to approximately $240 per hour depending upon the complexity and needs of the matter; and
Whereas, funding for said services is available under Budget Code A8020.405 (Contracted Outside Service) in the Law Department 2026 Budget; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
Resolved, that the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon hereby authorizes the Corporation Counsel, in consultation with outside counsel, Quinn Law Group, to retain Arcina Risk Group to perform insurance archaeology and, if necessary, claims advocacy services in connection with the wrongful incarceration claim; and BE IT FURTHER
Resolved, that the total expenditure for the insurance archaeology services shall not exceed $25,000 without further authorization of the City Council; and BE IT FURTHER
Resolved, that any additional claims advocacy services shall be billed on an as-needed basis in accordance with the rate schedule set forth in the proposal and subject to available appropriations; and BE IT FURTHER
Resolved, that the Comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to pay for said services from Budget Code A8020.405 (Contracted Outside Service) in the Law Department 2026 Budget; and BE IT FURTHER
Resolved, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.