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4161
PRESTON GATES ELLIS LLP
Retainer - WUTC Proposed Undergrounding Tariffs
PW Admin
LGL File Class LEG 12-1
$2500.00
03/26/2001
12/31/2002
02/15/2006
GL $
AL $
E&O $
Insurance Total $
Insurance Review Date
VAULT 01/01/2006
March 13, 2001
Mr. David St. Pierre
City of Bremerton
239 Fourth Street
Bremerton, WA 98337
Re: Puget Sound Energy -- Proposed Undergrounding Tariffs
Dear Mr. St. Pierre:
Thank you for participating with a group of other cities to request Preston Gates & Ellis
LLP ("Preston") to represent the City of Bremerton ("City") in connection with the
undergrounding tariffs proposed by Puget Sound Energy ("PSE"). PSE has filed Schedule 70
and Schedule 71 with the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission ("WUTC'~) with
an effective date of March 15, 2001. The Cities intend to intervene and protest as set ont in the
Petition to Intervene filed on March 8, 2001.
For purposes of this engagement, our representation of the City will be solely limited to
matters relating to this protest and intervention at the WUTC. Unless you specifically advise
otherwise in writing, Preston may share information obtained from the City during the course of
this representation with the other Cities regarding this matter.
In the event that a conflict arises between the City and the other cities, Preston will
continue to represent the other cities in the PSE matter. We ask for your assurance that the City
will not seek to disqualify Preston from continuing to represent the other cities in this matter.
I will be principally responsible for this work. We will bill legal fees on an hourly basis
to the cities on an allocated basis. My hourly rate for these services will be $270 per hour. I
may be assisted by Laura Clinton, whose hourly rate is $160. We estimate that the total legal
expenses for this matter will be approximately $25,000, which will be divided equally among the
petitioning cities. We will advise you if legal expenses are expected to exceed that amount. In
addition, we will bill the cities for certain costs and charges, as explained in our Statement of
Legal Services and Charges which is attached hereto.
I
A LAW FIRM I A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING OTHER LIMITED LIABILITY ENTITLES
Mr. David St. Pierre
City of Bremerton
March 13, 2001
Page 2
If the foregoing meets with your approval, please indicate your approval by having the
enclosed copy of this letter signed by an authorized officer of the City and returned to me. If you
have any questions, please feel free to call me at any time. We look forward to working with
you.
Very truly yours,
PRESTON GATES & ELLIS LLP
Carol S. Arnold
CSA:csa
APPROVED AND AGREED:
City of Bremerton
~xuthorized Representative
ATTEST
Ci~ Cler~
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES APPROVAL
Originator: Eugene Sampley, Director
Department: Public Works & Utilities
Data Approved:
Total Cost: $ 2,500
Description:
Retainer Agreement with Preston Gates & Ellis (regarding WUTC Proposed
Undergrounding Tariffs by PSE)
Impact of Non-Approval:
We would have to go to another source for legal advice.
*Approvala: ~//~~ ,~
Assistant City Attomey
Fiscal & Budget
Operations
Council President
* 0-$t,000 Department Head (or designee) only
$1,000-$t0,000 Department Head, Mayor, Fiscal & Budget, Operations (Copy of form to Council President)
$10,000-$20,000 Department Head, Fiscal & Budget, Operations, Council President
Attach Form to Requisition