CITY OF OCEAN CITY

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION

No. 26-103 

AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO CHRISTHOPER R. GIBSON, ESQ. OF ARCHER & GREINER, P.C. FOR LITIGATION REGARDING 14^TH & WEST ASSOCIATES, LLC vs. CITY OF OCEAN CITY, et al.

WHEREAS, the City of Ocean City requires an experienced legal professional to assist in litigation in the matter of 14^th & West Associates, LLC vs. City of Ocean City, et al.; and

            WHEREAS, a contract for Professional Services may be entered into without competitive bidding pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i); and 

      WHEREAS, it has been determined to be in the best interests of the City of Ocean City to have Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. perform these services; and

            WHEREAS, Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. has agreed to provide litigation representation and support; and

          WHEREAS, Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. has completed and submitted a Business Entity Disclosure Certification which certifies that Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. has not made any reportable contribution to a political or candidate committee for an elected office in the City of Ocean City, New Jersey in the previous one year period, and that the contract will prohibit Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. from making any reportable contributions through the term of the contract; and

WHEREAS, Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. has been advised that this award does not guarantee that the services described will be required during the contract period and are subject to the actual need as established by the City of Ocean City, and that the City Purchasing Manager shall issue purchase orders for services as they are required. No services shall be performed for the City prior to the issuance of a purchase order therefor; and

            WHEREAS, George J. Savastano, Business Administrator; Dorothy McCrosson, Esq., Director of Law; Thomas R. Mahar, Purchasing Assistant; Michael Rossbach Jr., QPA, City Purchasing Manager have reviewed all terms and conditions of the contract and recommend the award of a professional service contract to Chris Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. for litigation regarding the Walgreens property located at 14^th & West Avenue; and

            WHEREAS, the contract with Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C.is being awarded through an alternative, non-advertised process pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5; and

            NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ocean City, New Jersey that it does hereby appoint Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C., 1025 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043 as follows:

              BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ocean City that the Mayor and the City Purchasing Manager are hereby authorized to enter into a formal contract agreement with Christopher R. Gibson, Esq. of Archer & Greiner, P.C. to provide legal representation for the City of Ocean City in the matter of 14^th & West Associates, LLC vs. City of Ocean City, et al.

            The Director of Financial Management certifies that funds are contingent upon adoption of the 2026 Local Municipal Budget and shall be charged to Operating Account #6-01-20-310-212 as Purchase Orders are issued.

CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS

Frank Donato III, CFO                                                     Terry Crowley, Jr.

Director of Financial Management                                   Council President

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Ocean City, New Jersey at a Council Meeting held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, with the voting record as indicated below.

Melissa G. Rasner, City Clerk