Council Agenda: More Cash Needed for Legal Services

The next Lawrence Township Council meeting will take place today, Tuesday, July 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building at 2207 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206).

The meeting agenda and Township Manager Richard Krawczun’s standard pre-meeting memo are available for review from the township website or from the Patch media box to the right.

A discussion of the 2013 municipal tax levy cap will take place, according to the agenda, which also shows that four ordinances (previously introduced at the ) are scheduled to be adopted by council.

These ordinances, if adopted, will in part:

• amend the organization of the township police command staff by eliminating the position of the deputy police chief effective Sept. 2;
• authorize the appropriation of over $1.5 million for various capital improvements, as adopted in the township’s capital budget;
• authorize various road improvements – totaling $835,000 in grants, cash and bonds – as adopted in the township’s capital budget; and
• amend a previously-adopted capital ordinance to allow funds to be used to make improvements to the underground truck lift at the township public works facility.

Three more ordinances, meanwhile, are scheduled for introduction, as per the agenda. One of these ordinances concerns changes to the Lawrence Township Administrative Code with respect to the township health department, while the others amend previously adopted capital ordinances to allow the township to acquire and install video surveillance equipment and software at the Lawrence Township Department of Public Works facility.

Also according to the agenda, council will consider 18 resolutions, including several increasing the amounts of township contracts with various attorneys.

These resolutions, as listed on the agenda, with the accompanying details from Krawczun’s memo, include:

• Authorizing Amending the Contract Amount for Special Counsel for Labor Relations

“Resolution 8-L amends the contract of Genova, Burns & Giantomasi for the providing of services as labor counsel. The amount of the increase is $14,000 and the new contract maximum is $54,000.”

• Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation for the Funding of Legal Services

"Resolution 8-M authorizes an emergency appropriation in the amount of $125,000 to increase the appropriation for Legal Services, Other Expenses. The increase is necessary to provide for the payment of higher than anticipated levels of legal services."

• Authorizing Amending the Professional Services Contract for Township Attorney

“Resolution 8- N amends the contract of David Roskos, Esquire of Sterns & Weinroth for the providing of legal services. The amount of the increase is $60,500 and will raise the contract maximum to $115,500. This amendment will provide funding through May 2012.”

• Authorizing Amending the Contract Amount for Special Counsel for Labor Relations (Subject to Approval of Emergency Resolution)

“Resolution 8-P authorizes an increase in the professional services contract of Genova, Burns & Giantomasi for the providing representation on labor matters. The amount of the increase is $45,000 and is subject to adoption of the emergency appropriation for Legal Services Other Expenses.”

• Authorizing Amending the Professional Services Contract for Township Attorney (Subject to Approval of Emergency Resolution)

“Resolution 8-Q authorizes an increase in the professional services contract of David Roskos, Esquire of Sterns & Weinroth for the providing of legal services. The amount of the increase is $75,000 and is subject to adoption of the emergency appropriation for Legal Services Other Expenses.”