Shawnee commission approves hiring outside counsel to pursue claims over firefighting equipment costs

The Shawnee City Commission voted 5-0 to retain outside legal counsel to pursue claims related to rising firefighting equipment costs, approving a resolution after an executive session conducted under 25 O.S. §307(B)(4).

The resolution authorizes a legal services agreement to retain Fulmer Seal to investigate and, if appropriate, pursue claims against manufacturers, distributors and potentially other third parties over what staff described as "exponential increases in firefighting equipment cost and wait times causing harm to the city of Shawnee and its citizens." Colin Joe Vondren, introduced in the meeting as the city attorney, told commissioners the city "possess[es] causes of action with regard to the claims outlined in the resolution." He also said the proposed engagement would require "no out of pocket expense to explore these claims."

Commissioners first voted to go into executive session to consult with the city's attorney about a pending investigation, claim or action under the cited provision of state law. After reconvening, the item to retain counsel was presented and discussed briefly by staff. A commissioner moved to approve the resolution "with gratitude to our fire department" and to support their efforts; another commissioner seconded the motion.

The city attorney read the resolution title aloud as "provide for retention of attorneys in firefighting equipment antitrust litigation." The commission then took a roll-call vote; all five members present voted "Aye," and the motion passed 5-0. The meeting adjourned immediately after the vote.

The resolution authorizes staff to execute the legal services agreement and pursue the claims described; the transcript notes that prior counsel who represented the city in similar mass-tort litigation has been contacted, and the engagement was presented to commissioners as involving no up-front cost to the city. The record does not specify the precise legal theories the city will assert beyond the description in the resolution (the resolution title references "antitrust litigation"), nor does it list requested damages, deadlines, or the identity and full spelling of outside firms beyond the transcript name "Fulmer Seal."