HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-05-2001-8nORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 5, 2001
Action Agenda
Item No.. 8- ~
SUBJECT: Le al Services Contract Renewal for Child and Adult Protective Services
DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Contract Denise C. Shaffer, ext 24fi
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider approval of the Legal Services Contract which is necessary in orcier
for the Department of Social Services (DSS) to cany out its duties providing protective services
for children and adults in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Ms. Carol Holcomb, with Northen Blue, LLP, has provided consultation .and
representation for children and adult services for over 10 years. She has comprehensive
knowledge of juvenile law and Guardianship proceedings and litigates court hearings with skill.
She remains on-call after hours to assist staff when the agency must assume emergency
custody of children at night and on weekends. Orange County is known for its timely and
efficient court proceedings due to her skill, dedication, and expertise. Her knowledge is valued
by the DSS social work staff, the Guardian ad Litem office and the courts.
Competent legal representation is critical to assure that the most severely abused and
neglected children and frail elderly receive the protection provided for them under North
Carolina law. DSS legal services must be current on Federal legislation as well as precedent
setting case law across the country. The legal representation must also be able to guide and
support DSS staff throughout the increasingly adversarial court process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are included in the Manages 2001-02 proposed
budget.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract with
Northen Blue far legal services.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
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THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 1st` day of July, 2001 by and between
Cazol J. Holcomb, Attorney At Law, now a partner with Northen Blue, L.L.P., Orange County,
North Cazolina, a partnership organized under the laws of the State of North Cazolina engaging
in the practice of law, hereinafter referred to as ATTORNEY, and ORANGE COUNTY,
hereinafter referred to as the COUNTY:
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Orange County Department of Social Services, hereinafter referred to
as the DEPARTMENT, has need of special legal services, not otherwise provided by County
Government agencies, in connection with its services to needy and dependent persons in
Orange County, the administration of its functions under the provisions of Article 44, Chapter
7A and Article 6, Chapter lO8A of the General Statutes of North Carolina and ,other laws of
the State, and representation of the DEPARTMENT, its caseworkers and employees before the
vazious courts and agencies of the State of North Cazolina; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the COUNTY, and ATTORNEY to enter into a contract,
one with the other, for the purposes and considerations as set froth herein for a period of July
1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual terms and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the COUNTY and ATTORNEY do contract, each with the
other, as follows:
l . That ATTORNEY shall perform such services and render such advice to the
DEPARTMENT on such occasions as shall be required by the Director of the DEPARTMENT
and with the approval of said Director, employees and caseworkers, shall require the services
of ATTORNEY.
2. That ATTORNEY shall be compensated for all services rendered in connection with
Paragraph 1 above based on an hourly rate for services performed, such hours and amounts to
be furnished to the County Finance Officer or his designate far payment. The hourly rate shall
be One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per hour from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.
The ATTORNEY shall also be compensated at the hourly rate as set forth above for
attendance at programs, meetings and seminars relating to Social Services law, and for any
training provided to the Department's employees, and shall be reimbursed for lodging and
transportatipn necessary for attendance at those programs, meetings, seminars, and
presentations.
The ATTORNEY shall also be compensated for and reimbursed for the services of
clerks and legal assistants hired by them to assist them in the performance of their duties to the
DEPARTMENT, and the cost of faxing, telephone, copying, and postal expenses at a flat rate
of Three Hundred Dollazs ($300.00) per month. Costs and expenses advanced by
ATTORNEY on behalf of COUNTY shall be reimbursed to ATTORNEY.
3. That ATTORNEY shall keep an itemized record of work performed for the
DEPARTMENT on a case-by-case basis and shall submit its bill therefore showing a
breakdown of those services performed and the cost.
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4. That this Contract shall exist and continue from July 1, 2001 through and including
June 30, 2002 unless sooner terminated by thirty (30) days written notice to the other party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the COUNTY and ATTORNEY have hereunto signed this
Contract in duplicate originals, one of which is retained by each party hereto and either of
which is sufficient as the original.
BY:
ATTEST:
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners
Clerk of the Orange County Board of Commissioners
NORTHEN BLUE, L.L.P.
BY:
CAROL J. HOLCOMB
This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget
and Fiscal Control Act.
KENNETH CHAVIOUS
Orange County Finance Officer