90-26 Resolution Appointing Souder Law Group LLP for Rent Leveling Board Attorney - Non Fair and Open.pdf

90-26 February 24, 2026 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) is in need of the following Professional Services (the “Professional Services”): _Rent Leveling Board Attorney; and WHEREAS, the Professional Services are exempt from the requirements of public bidding pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law, more specifically, N.J.S.A. 40A:11- 5(1)(a)(i); and WHEREAS, _Souder Law Group, LLP______ (“Souder”), with its offices located at _570 Broad Street 15th Floor Newark, New Jersey 07102___, provided the Township with a Proposal and it was found to be in the best interest of the Township to accept the Proposal for the purpose of providing the Professional Services; and WHEREAS, the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(1) requires that notice of the award of contracts for “Professional Services” without competitive bidding must be published in a local newspaper; and WHEREAS, this contract is for an amount over $17,500.00 and is being awarded pursuant to a “Non-Fair and Open Process” pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5; and WHEREAS, _Souder Law Group, LLP___, has completed and submitted a Business Entity Disclosure Certification, which certifies that ___Souder Law Group, LLP____ has not made any reportable contributions to a political or a candidate committee in the Township of West Orange in the previous one (1) year prior to award, and that the contract will prohibit _Souder Law Group, LLP__________ from making any reportable contribution through the term of the contract. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Township of West Orange in the County of Essex, New Jersey, that: 1. _Souder Law Group, LLP____ be and is hereby appointed to the position of __Rent Leveling Board Attorney___ for a term to expire December 31, 2026. 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed on behalf of the Township of West Orange to enter into and execute a contract with __Souder Law Group, LLP_____ (“Souder”), to provide Professional Services for the Township for a period of one (1) year upon issuance of a Notice to Proceed, for an amount not to exceed _$55,000__ Dollars and Zero Cents ($_______.00). 3. This contract is awarded without competitive bidding as a “Professional Service” in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i) of the Local Public Contracts Law because the

performance of the services requires knowledge of an advanced type as defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:11-2(6). 4. This contract is awarded pursuant to the Non-Fair and Open Procedures of the State Pay-to-Play Law, (N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5) and pursuant to the provisions of the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i). 5. A copy of the fully executed contract herein authorized shall be filed in the Office of the Township Clerk and shall be made available for public inspection. 6. A notice of this action shall be published in the newspaper authorized by law to publish a legal advertisement and as required by law within ten (10) days of the adoption of this resolution. I, Karen J. Carnevale, Township Clerk for the Township of West Orange, County of Essex, State of New Jersey, do hereby certify this is a true and correct copy of the resolution adopted by the Township Council at its Regular Meeting held on February 24, 2026. Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C., Municipal Clerk Susan Scarpa, Council President Adopted: February 24, 2026 I certify funds are available from Account No(s): *Acct # 01-2010-00-1402-060 *Amount Not to Exceed - $55,000.00 John C. Ditinyak, Chief Financial Officer Subject to the approval of the 2026 Budget.