HomeMy WebLinkAbout25K - LEGAL SERVICES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
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REQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
OCTOBER 18, 2004
TITLE:
APPROVED
o As Recommended
o As Amended
o Ordinance on 151 Reading
o Ordinance on 2nd Reading
o Implementing Resolution
o Set Public Hearing For
AMENDMENT TO LEGAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH RICHARDS,
WATSON & GERSHON
CITY MANA~
CONTINUED TO
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FILE NUMBER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct the City Attorney to prepare and authorize the City Manager and the
Clerk of the Council to execute a legal services agreement with Richards,
Watson & Gershon with a maximum hourly rate of $250.00 to provide legal
services related to the One Broadway Plaza referendum.
DISCUSSION
While the City Attorney's Office provides the vast majority of its legal
services and representation though staff counsel, from time to time it is
necessary to contract for services through outside counsel. Aspects of the
pending referendum on the One Broadway Plaza office building present one
of those situations. The Developer of One Broadway Plaza has brought a
challenge to the legality of the referendum petitions. The case raises
unique election law issues that are not regularly handled by staff
counsel. Additionally, staff counsel is handling related environmental
litigation arising from One Broadway Plaza, and that litigation and other
pending cases prevent staff counsel from dedicating necessary resources to
the referendum petition litigation.
The firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon is a highly respected municipal law
firm with broad experience in elections, initiative and referendum. The
firm is also currently serving as special counsel to the City regarding
the City's cable television franchise renewal negotiations and performing
highly satisfactorily.
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Legal Service Agreement with
Richards, Watson & Gershon
October 18, 2004
Page 2
As with all other outside counsel, City Attorney staff will direct and
control all activities of attorneys from Richards, Watson & Gershon in
this matter.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available in the City Attorney' account (no. 11-031-6191).
APPROVED AS TO FUNDS ,D ACCOUNTS:
w. Fletcher
Attorney
Rod R. Coloma
Executive Director
Finance & Management Services Agency
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