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Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Award of a Professional Services Agreement to Muller & Baillie, P.C. to Provide Legal Services in Connection with the Review of Development Applications in 2026 to be Paid Exclusively by Escrow Funds for an Amount Not to Exceed $105,000.00
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WHEREAS, the Municipality of Princeton (“Princeton”) has a need to retain the services of an attorney for purposes of providing legal services in connection with the review of development applications that come before the Planning Board; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of the development application review services is $105,000.00, which amount will be fully funded by escrow applicants; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i) of the Local Public Contracts Law, Princeton may award a contract for professional services without public advertising for bids; and
WHEREAS, this contract is not being awarded as a “fair and open” contract as defined in N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.7; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5., Princeton may award a non-fair and open contract to a business entity if, during the preceding one-year period, that business entity has not made a contribution that is reportable by the recipient under P.L. 1973, c.83, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1 et seq. to any municipal committee of a political party in that municipality if a member of that political party is serving in an elective public office of that municipality when the contract is awarded or to any candidate committee of any person serving in an elective public office of that municipality when the contract is awarded; and
WHEREAS, Muller & Baillie, P.C. has completed and submitted the required pay-to-play forms which certify that Muller & Baillie, P.C. has not made any reportable contributions to a candidate committee in Princeton in the previous year, and that the contract will prohibit Muller & Baillie, P.C. from making any reportable contributions through the term of the contract; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that sufficient funds are available in the appropriate development escrow accounts 17-290-20-XXX-XXX to pay for said services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Municipality of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as follows:
1. The Mayor and Council, or their designee, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement without competitive bidding as a Professional Services in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i) with Muller & Baillie, P.C. to provide legal services in connection with the review of development applications for an amount not to exceed $105,000.00.
2. The Term of this contract shall be from April 8, 2026, until December 31, 2026.
3. A copy of this Resolution, Pay-to-Play Forms, and contract will be kept on file in the Office of the Clerk.