May 11, 2007 By Amy Zalar 4 min read

The primary law firm representing the Fayette County Housing Authority was given additional duties and a boost in its hourly rate Thursday in a vote for a one-year contract extension. The law firm of Davis and Davis was given an increase in the hourly rate from $115 per hour to $125 per hour for a term from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. The authority also voted to give a one-year extension to the Cohen and Grigsby law firm along with a maximum 5 percent increase from the current hourly rates that range from $160 per hour to $255 per hour for the same term.

Board member Beverly Beal, who voted against both motions, said she believes the rates for Pittsburgh-based Cohen and Grigsby are too high and she didn’t believe the firm is needed. “Before we had Davis and Davis do everything and all of a sudden we are paying all this money for a Pittsburgh attorney,” Beal said.

Executive Director Thomas Harkless said Cohen and Grigsby was hired initially in 2005 to perform legal work associated with a federal HOPE VI application, as well as mixed financing work such as tax credits for the proposed Laurel Estates development. The firm also does personnel law work.

Although John M. “Jack” Purcell, the Davis and Davis attorney who serves as solicitor for the FCHA, said he would prefer not to do personnel matters because it could put him in a “bad situation,” he later said his firm would do whatever is asked by the authority.

Board member James V. Bitonti said there are enough other attorneys at Davis and Davis to do personnel work so Purcell does not have to deal with any issues that would be a conflict of interest.

Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink said there are six other attorneys in Purcell’s firm that could handle some of the personnel issues.

Purcell confirmed that Davis and Davis used to handle all the legal matters, but said things were “quieter and easier” at that time.

Prior to approving the motions, Zimmerlink said Davis and Davis is to represent the FCHA on all personnel-related matters unless Cohen and Grigsby are specifically needed. Bitonti said the only thing Cohen and Grigsby will primarily handle is HOPE VI and other property development issues.

The Davis and Davis motion passed 4-1 with Zimmerlink, Bitonti, William “Trip” Radcliffe and Nancy Sutton voting in favor, and Beal voting against. The Cohen and Grigsby motion passed with Bitonti, Radcliffe and Sutton voting yes, and Beal and Zimmerlink voting no.

The authority also voted to award a contract for grass cutting, debris pickup and emptying vacated units to Resident Services Inc. of Uniontown at a fee of $12 per hour for a two-year period, not to exceed $100,000 on an as needed basis.

A contract for cleaning, patching and painting units was awarded to Resident Services Inc. for a two-year period at a fee of $475 for a one bedroom, $545 for a two-bedroom, $645 for a three-bedroom, $665 for a four-bedroom and $695 for a five-bedroom, not to exceed $50,000, on an as-needed basis. Bitonti, Radcliffe and Sutton voted in favor of the motions.

Zimmerlink, who voted against the motions, said she was opposed to contracting out the services when they could be done by FCHA employees, adding there is a lot of “lounging around” by staff members. Beal, who also voted against the motions, said she couldn’t believe the authority can’t make the tenants cut their own grass and clean up.

Harkless said, as an example, there are only seven developed acres at Bierer Wood Acres, which leaves 10 to 12 acres that must be cut and cleaned up. He said staff could do the grass cutting if there are not a lot of work orders.