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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County authorizing payment of invoices for extraordinary professional services rendered as a result of litigation involving Allegheny County Council as a party.
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Whereas, on March 4, 2026, Allegheny County Council entered into a contract for the provision of professional services with Frank, Gale, Bails & Pocrass, P.C. (“FGBP”); and
Whereas, pursuant to this contract, FGBP provides legal advice, counsel, and representation to Allegheny County Council as its solicitor; and
Whereas, also pursuant to the terms of the contract between FGBP and Council, compensation in any calendar year is not to exceed $60,000 unless greater compensation is approved via written motion duly enacted by Council; and
Whereas, since entering this contract, Allegheny County Council has become involved in litigation relating to term limit referenda, at GD-26-5663; and
Whereas, this litigation has resulted in extraordinary expenses for FGBP, acting as County Council’s solicitor, beginning in May of 2026; and
Whereas, at a special meeting of Council held on August 21, 2026, Council voted to authorize its solicitor to appeal certain aspects of the trial court’s verdict in GD-26-5663; and
Whereas, this appeal (together with an appeal of other aspects of the trial court’s verdict filed by the plaintiff in that action) are docketed at Commonwealth Court case numbers 1250 CD 2026, 1251CD 2026, and 1255 CD 2026, and have resulted in additional extraordinary expenses for FGBP; and
Whereas, it is accordingly the desire of Council to authorize payment of invoices from FGBP for services rendered in connection with GD-26-5663, 1250 CD 2026, 1251 CD 2026, and 1255 CD 2026 in addition to billings for routine legal services rendered outside of that litigation;
The Council of the County of Allegheny therefore hereby moves as follows:
To the extent that FGBP bills Council for representation in connection with the cases referenced in this Motion by docket number, Council hereby authorizes payment of those invoices, over and above the $60,000 annual limits for 2026 and 2027.