Executive/Council Action Form (ECAF 2026-0191)
ITEM TITLE:
Title
Motion 26-046, authorizing the Snohomish County Executive to sign contract Amendment 7 with Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, P.S. for environmental legal services for the Snohomish County Airport
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DEPARTMENT: Airport
ORIGINATOR: Emily Phillipe
EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION: Approved by Mike Fong 1/13/26
PURPOSE: Obtain approval of Amendment No. 7 for contract for Legal Services for increase in compensation and attorney hourly rates for the southeast area of the airport and tangential locations (Tect).
BACKGROUND:
* Long term tenants of the Snohomish County Airport and other outside entities may have caused or contributed to hazardous waste, substances, pollutants and contaminants on various locations of Airport property.
* By previous motions (20-254, 22-396, 23-088, 23-366, 24-238), Snohomish County has entered into a legal professional services agreement with Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, P.S. ("HCMP") for consultation and legal advice regarding the southeast area of the airport and tangential locations (Tect) at the Snohomish County Airport.
* An Amendment to the contract is necessary to reflect increases in the attorney hourly rates and for additional compensation as follows: contract for Southeast areas of Airport (Tect), increase of $80,000, not to exceed a total contract amount of $450,000.
* Various historical insurance policies of the County Airport have accepted a tender of defense and have begun to reimburse Airport for some of its legal fees. Further reimbursements are anticipated. However, the County does not allow net accounting and thus the contract compensation is required to be increased.
* Continuing advice from the same attorneys is critical to the current Agreed Order with Department of Ecology, potential legal action, remedies and damages necessitated by such environmental issues.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
EXPEND: FUND, AGY, ORG, ACTY, OBJ, AU
2026
2027
1ST 2 YRS
410....
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