OPA shopping for legal services

Deadline March 16 for submission of proposals; some directors prefer local representation

By TOM STAUSS

Publisher

The Ocean Pines Association on Feb. 15 issued a request for proposals from local and regional law firms to provide a wide range of legal services. The deadline for submission of proposals, that include answers to an extensive questionnaire, is March 15.

Proposals are due back to OPA General Manager John Viola.

Jeremy Tucker, the OPA’s legal counsel for the past five years or so, is eligible to submit a proposal and is expected to do so. He is an attorney with Lerch Early and Brewer, the Bethesda, Md. law firm, who succeeded Ocean City attorney Joseph Moore.

The decision to solicit proposals for legal services reportedly had the support of all seven members of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors, who did not meet in open session to vote on the matter.

It is considered fairly routine for the OPA every five years or so to solicit proposals for various professional services, which otherwise are routinely extended each year when a new Board is organized after the August election.

The Progress has learned that at least some OPA directors are open to considering proposals from local law firms, with Bruce Bright, an Ocean City lawyer with the Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy and Almand law firm among those they hope may be submitting proposals.

Bright has a record representing clients who have defeated the OPA in various legal battles, including current director Rick Farr and former directors Tom Janasek and Slobodan Trendic.

According to the RFP, proposals will not be opened until after the submittal deadline.

The OPA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to request additional information concerning any proposal for purpose of clarification, and to accept or negotiate any modification to any proposal following the deadline for receipt of all proposals.

The RFP says the successful candidate will:

• Represent and advise the Board of Directors, the General Manager and assigned staff in all matters of law pertaining to their office. Give advice or opinion on the legality of all matters under consideration by the Board of Directors, General Manager or by any officers of the Association.

• Attend and represent the Asso- ciation’s legal interests at periodic Board meetings (including closed sessions and Board workshops), and other meetings on an as needed basis specified by the Board or General Manager.

• Provide legal opinions, advice, assistance and consultation to the Board of Directors, General Manager and Association staff related to Maryland law issues, including the Maryland Homeowners Act, contracts and franchises, real estate

Limited Seating Indoors

Hours

Wed - Sun 6 a.m.

Open for Curbside Service

Please

BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

Served on Bagel, Roll or Bread (White, Wheat or Rye Croissant or a Wrap

Egg & Cheese ..................................… $5.55

Meat, Egg & Cheese …............................ $6.95

Your choice of Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Turkey Sausage,Ham, Taylor Ham or Morning Star Vegetarian Sausage

PLATTERS & OMELETS

Two Eggs Any Way with Meat ............. $5.95

Your choice of Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Turkey Sausage,Ham, Taylor Ham or Morning Star Vegetarian Sausage

Cheese Omelet .................................. $7.00

Veggie Omelet …................................... $7.50

(green peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, celery)

Western Omelet …................................ $8.00

(ham, cheddar, green pepper, red onions)

Quiche ................................................... $4.00

BAGELS WITH ...

Bagel with Butter ...….......................... $2.50

Bagel with Cream Cheese ….............. $3.95

Bagel with Cream Cheese and Jelly ..... $4.25

Bagel with Peanut Butter and Jelly ..... $5.25

Cinnamon Crunch Bagel

With Butter $3 With Cream Cheese $4.45

Bagel with Nova Cream Cheese ......…... $6.95

Bagel with Sliced Nova or Lox Salmon … $10.95

LUNCH SPECIALTIES

Homemade Soup Small ........................ $3.25

Chicken Pot Pie ...................................… $5.49

Pizza Bagel ~ Plain $5.75 - Pepperoni $6.50

Bagel Dog ............................................. $5.25

410-208-0707

LUNCH SANDWICHES

Served on Bagel, Roll, Sliced Bread, Croissant or a Wrap

Includes a Side of Macaroni Salad Ham …………............................….……. $9.45

Turkey ………...................................….. $9.45

Roast Beef …..................................…… $10.45

Cappicola …….................................….. $9.45

Genoa Salami …................................… $9.45

Italian Combo …...........................…… $10.45 (Roast Beef, Cappicola, Salami and Provolone)

Roast Beef & Turkey Combo ..............….. $10.45

Liverwurst …...............................……… $7.95

Bologna ................................................. $7.95

Chicken Salad ........................................ $9.95

Egg Salad ….............................………… $8.95

Tuna Salad ………..........................…... $10.25

Whitefish Salad ….................………… $10.25

Grilled Cheese ……........................……. $7.25

Add to any sandwich Cheese $1 • Avacado $.50

FRESH PASTRIES

Scone (blueberry, cranberry or raisin) ..$3.55

Lemon/Pecan Bar …….....................…… $2.55

Muffin …….........................……………. $3.55

Brownie ….................................……….. $2.55

Crumb Cake ............................................$3.55

Turnover ………..........................……… $3.55

Croissant Pastry/Danish ……….............. $3.55

Cinnamon Bun ..........................…. $3.55

Éclair ………..................................... $3.95

Big PB Cup/Chocolate Chip Cookie ...... $2.50

Banana Bread ....................................... $3.25

Black and White Cookie (seasonal) ............ $3.65

Mrs. Peggy’s Sugar Cookies Small $2 Large $3

Two-pack Cookies ......................... $2.35

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Double Chocolate, Sugar, M&M

Cheesecake ~ Small $2 Large $3.50

Plain, Cherry, Blueberry

Linzer Tart ~ Small $2 Large $2.50

Irish Soda Bread .. Slice $2.00 Loaf $6.50

Dog Biscuits .................................. $2.50

FRESH BAKED BAGLES

Plain • Cinnamon Raisin • Sesame

Onion • French Toast • Garlic

Honey Wheat • Asiago •

Everything Everything Wheat • Rye

Marble • Egg • Pumpernickel

Poppy • Berry

Sundried Tomato • Cinnamon Crunch

1 Flagel (weekends only) .............. $1.40

Bagel ………..............................…. $1.40

Half Dozen Bagels …..........……… $8.00

Dozen Bagels …............….......… $14.50

Cinnamon Crunch Bagel ….....….. $1.90

N.Y. Kaiser Roll ……............….. 75 cents

Portuguese Roll ……........…….. 75 cents

Knot Roll ................................... 75 cents

WHIPPED CREAM CHEESES

Plain • Light • Veggie • Light Veggie

Walnut Raisin • Almond • Scallion

Scallion & Tomato • Chive • Olive

Spinach & Cheese • Nova Spread

Seasonal: Crab, Pumpkin, Strawberry

Plain Cream Cheese 1 lb. …......… $6.40

Flavored Cream Cheese 1 lb. ...... $7.90

Nova Cream Cheese 1 lb …………$10.90

All prices subject to change

Legal services

From Page 9 and property transactions, land use, environmental law, public improvements/capital projects, code enforcement, pending and current state and federal legislation and court decisions, tort liability and risk management, fees, taxes, assessments, personnel, human resources, collections of past due assessments and other matters as directed.

• Provide training and/or advice to the Board of Directors, General Manager and Association staff related to the Maryland Homeowners Act.

• Review resolutions, staff reports, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents required by the Association.

• Prepare legal opinions for Board of Directors, General Manager and others as directed.

• Coordinate legal activities with other Association and outside agencies.

• Provide written updates to new state or federal legislation or judicial decisions and suggest action or procedures to ensure compliance.

All proposals must provide specific and succinct answers to all questions and requests for information.

“Indirect, imprecise, or incomplete responses can serve only to the disadvantage of the applicant. Answer the questions in the format and order presented,” according to the RFP.

In a detailed questionnaire, applicants are asked to list all cases in which they were retained either for a Defendant or a Plaintiff in which Ocean Pines Association, its directors or general manager, and partners, principals, and associates who may be assigned to work with the Association,

It is anticipated that the Association will expect the selected firm to provide a system wherein “general” services are provided under a fixed monthly retainer and any additional “special” services are billed at pre-negotiated hourly rates.

In reviewing the proposals, the Board’s evaluation committee will weigh the following factors:

• Responsiveness to the information requested in the RFP.

• That the firm has no conflicts of interest about any work performed by the firm for the Association, and all potential conflicts have been identified.

• Proposed solutions to the specific legal needs of the Ocean Pines Association.

• Depth and breadth of experience and expertise in the practice of law, most specifically in those areas most often encountered in Homeowners Association operations.

• References.

• Range and quality of services provided by the firm.

• Capability to perform legal services promptly and in a manner that permits the Board of Directors, General Manager, and staff to meet established deadlines and to operate in an effective and efficient manner.

• Degree of availability for quick response to inquiries that arise out of day-to-day operating questions or problems.

• Degree to which firm and individual attorneys remain current through continued professional development and active communication with practitioners in the HOA law field.

• Communication skills, and

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