Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
CORPORATION COUNSEL TO RETAIN
VALISSA BUNTING, ESQ. AS CONSULTANT
FOR PARKING AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 153 of the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon, the Board of Estimate is authorized to consider and approve matters concerning the retention of professional services on behalf of the City; and
WHEREAS, in the fall of 2025, the Unified Court System notified the City of Mount Vernon Law Department that the City is required to provide legal representatives to prosecute parking tickets and moving violations; and
WHEREAS, the three attorneys presently assigned to the Law Department have assumed responsibility for prosecuting parking and traffic violations in addition to their existing legal responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the daily volume of parking and traffic court appearances has substantially impacted the attorneys’ ability to manage the Law Department’s core legal caseload, including matters involving personal injury, labor, employment, contracts, and other legal matters; and
WHEREAS, the diversion of the Law Department’s attorneys to parking and traffic court proceedings has resulted in an increased amount of legal work being referred to outside counsel, thereby increasing the City’s outside counsel expenditures; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to address these concerns and ensure that the City continues to satisfy its obligation to provide legal representation in parking and traffic matters, the Law Department issued a Request for Proposals seeking a qualified consulting attorney to handle parking and traffic court appearances on behalf of the City; and
WHEREAS, Valissa Bunting, Esq. submitted a proposal in response to the Request for Proposals, was interviewed by the Law Department, and observed traffic court proceedings as part of the evaluation process; and
WHEREAS, based upon Ms. Bunting’s qualifications, experience, proposal, interview, and demonstrated understanding of the requirements associated with parking and traffic violation proceedings, the Corporation Counsel has determined that Ms. Bunting is qualified and capable of effectively representing the interests of the City in such matters; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bunting has agreed to provide consulting legal services to the City at a rate of $158.00 per hour, and, in matters requiring a trial, at the same rate of $158.00 per hour, with a minimum charge of two (2) hours per trial; and
WHEREAS, retaining a consulting attorney to handle parking and traffic violations will permit the Law Department's attorneys to devote greater attention to the City's regular legal caseload while maintaining the City’s required representation before the courts; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel recommends that the City retain Valissa Bunting, Esq. as a consultant for parking and traffic violation matters under the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Estimate of the City of Mount Vernon, New York, as follows:
Section1. Authorization to Retain Consultant. The Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized and directed to retain Valissa Bunting, Esq. as a consulting attorney to represent the City of Mount Vernon in connection with the prosecution of parking tickets, moving violations, and related parking and traffic court matters, subject to the terms and conditions of a consultant agreement approved as to form by the Corporation Counsel.
Section 2. Compensation. Ms. Bunting shall be compensated at a rate of $158.00 per hour for services performed pursuant to the consultant agreement. For matters requiring a trial, Ms. Bunting shall be compensated at the same rate of $158.00 per hour, subject to a minimum charge of two (2) hours per trial. Funds are available in the A1420.405 (Contracted Outside Service).
Section 3. Terms and Conditions. The term of the consultant agreement shall be established by the Corporation Counsel and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City, subject to applicable law and the availability of appropriated funds.
Section 4. Funding. All payments under the consultant agreement shall be made from funds duly appropriated and legally available for such purposes, subject to all applicable City fiscal and procurement requirements.
Section 5. Authorization of Corporation Counsel. The Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized to execute the consultant agreement with Valissa Bunting, Esq., and to take all necessary and appropriate actions to implement the purposes of this Resolution.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the Board of Estimate and Contract.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to execute any and all documents and take such further actions as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the intent and purpose of this Resolution.