sr-063009-1dc7-~
c;~YO, City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: June 30, 2009
Agenda Item: 1 `~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Subject: Contracts for Legal Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute lawyer-client retainer agreements with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud &
Romo (Atkinson) Law Firm for legal services in an amount not to exceed $100,000, and
with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (Liebert) for legal services in an amount not to exceed
$140,000, both for the fiscal year 2009-2010,
Executive Summary
The City uses the services of outside legal counsel for assistance with labor and
employment law with regard to workplace investigations, training, Personnel Board
Hearings and litigation. Staff recommends that City Council approve a contract with
Atkinson in anot-to-exceed amount of $100,000 and a contract with Liebert in a not-to-
exceed amount of $140,000,
Discussion
Atkinson and Liebert both provide labor and employment legal services with regard to
employee disciplinary matters, which includes workplace investigations, Personnel
Board Hearings, litigation, labor law related training, and preparation of legal reports.
The Human Resources Department coordinates training workshops by the firms, and
the City. Attorney's Office monitors their legal work. The not-to-exceed amounts
proposed in this report reflect payments made to the two firms for services rendered in
fiscal 2008-2009. Staff anticipates that service needs will remain constant.
Both of these firms specialize in personnel work for public entities, and both have
provided services to the City for several years. Staff anticipates issuing a Request for
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Proposals next year to competitively assess the City's current options for obtaining this
service.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Total expenditures for the agreement with Atkinson are not expected to exceed
$100,000 for fiscal year 2009-10. Total expenditures for the contract with Liebert are not
expected to exceed $140,000. Actual costs will be charged to the appropriate
Department as services are rendered.
Prepared by: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
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Approved: Forwarded to Council:
Reference Contract Nos.
9083 (CCS) and 9084
(ccs).