After a closed session meeting at the February 2nd Mayor & Council meeting, the governing body voted to approve Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC as the municipality’s labor attorney. The appointed representative was Bruce W. Padula, a partner at the firm.
This ends a matter that arose at this year’s reorganization meeting when a majority of council not only overrode Mayor Carl Hokanson’s appointment but also went ahead and appointed a law firm that had not even submitted a bid for labor attorney (link).
Council then rescinded their own appointment, rejected the only two bids that were legally submitted in December of 2016, and put out a second Request For Proposal (RFP) for labor attorney (link).
Interestingly enough, neither the mayor’s appointment of Garrubbo & Capece nor council’s choice of Cifelli & Davie submitted an RFP.
In the end, the following four (4) law firms submitted a bid for the second RFP:
| LAW FIRM | RATE |
|---|---|
| Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC | $145/hour |
| Niedweske Barber Hager, LLC | $135/hour |
| Ruderman, Horn & Esmerado, P.C. | $125/hour |
| Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher | $175/hour |
The above-listed rates were for partners; Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher charged $145/hour for associates.
The appointed firm – Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs – had served as Roselle Park’s labor attorney up until 2015. Previous to that, the firm of Niedweske Barber was the municipal labor attorney previous to that.
No statement was made by anyone on the dais as to why the governing body decided to appoint the second most expensive bidder. Appointments for RFPs do not require a governing body to automatically accept the lowest responsible bidder. Other factors, in addition to price, can be considered in the selection of the appointed service provider.
Mayor Hokanson stated the need for the appointment on the 2nd in case advice is needed on a labor issue before the 16th.
Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs was approved by a roll call vote by a 5-1 vote. Second Ward Councilman Joseph Petrosky was the only ‘no’ vote. The formal resolution will be voted on at tonight’s municipal meeting at borough hall.
Copies of all four (4) bids are available below:
Download Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC bid
Download Niedweske Barber Hager, LLC bid
Download Ruderman, Horn & Esmerado, P.C. bid
Download Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher bid