Contract 2022-023ASHEPARD, SMITH, KOHLMYER b HAND, RA.
ATTORNEYS 6 COUNSELORS AT LAW
SHEPARDFORM.COM
Brian Bulthuis, City Manager
City of Clermont
685 W. Montrose Street
Clermont, FL 34711
RE: Special Counsel to City of Clermont Code Enforcement Board
Dear Mr. Bulthuis:
It is with great pleasure that Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer. and Hand, P.A ("Firm") submits
to you the following as its proposed letter of engagement to set forth the terms of my engagement
with the City of Clermont ("City') to serve as a Special Counsel to the Code Enforcement Board.
I. SCOPE OF SERVICES.
The Firm will serve on an as needed basis, as Special Counsel to the City's Code
Enforcement Board. In that capacity, a qualified Firm attorney will attend all Code Enforcement
Board hearings; serve as legal counsel to the Board in accordance with its authority under
Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, the City Code, and all other applicable law and participate in all
matters in which my law firm or I do not have a conflict.
II. PAYMENT.
The City shall pay to my law firm, Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer and Hand, P.A., the sum
of $135.00 per hour for each actual attorney hour worked and $65.00 per hour for paralegal hour
worked with regard to this engagement. For hearings as scheduled by the City and confirmed by
the Firm, there will be a minimum of one (1) hour charged for attendance at the hearing. The City
shall pay for the costs of long-distance telephone calls, postage, and mileagefor travel from the
Firm's office in Maitland to the City, at the actual rate incurred by the Firm. All other costs shall
be paid only if pre -approved by the City. For attorney travel time to and from City Hall, the Firm
shall invoice, and the City shall pay the sum of $75.00 per hour.
In all matters hereunder, my Firm will submit each month to you or your designee, a Billing
Statement of hours expended for services rendered and costs incurred. All invoices shall be
processed and made in the same manner as for all other City invoices and statements.All invoices
shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice.
III. TERMINATION.
The term of this engagement may be renewed annually. However, the agreement may be
terminated by either parry immediately with cause or upon thirty (30) days written notice without
cause. If such termination occurs, the Firm will be paid for all services rendered and costs incurred,
if applicable, to the date of notice of termination.
22.1772 fax
IV. MISCELLANEOUS.
A. Assignment. The services to be rendered under this engagement letter
shall primarily be provided by Samuel Reda, however, in the event of a scheduling conflict or
other unavailability, any qualified attorney of the Firm may provide services hereunder.
B. Amendments. This engagement letter may be amended only by written
instrument signed by the Firm and the City of Clermont.
C. Independent Contractor Status. In the performance of legal services hereunder,
the Firm and its attorneys are independent contractors and shall not hold themselves out
employees, agents or servants of the City of Clermont.
This letter of engagement shall not be binding and of no effect until it has
beenexecuted by the authorized representative of the City and by the Firm.
Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer and Hand, P.A.
By: Samuel S. Reda, Esq.
Date: 02/ 18/2022
CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA,
By:
Brian Bn ulthuis, as City Manager
Date: 3 '' I _ ZZ
Cc: Tracy Howe, City Clerk
City of Clermont
685 W. Montrose Street
Clermont, FL 34711