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June 10, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve Amendment to Legal Service Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for On -Call Legal Services
Report Number: 25-0144
Location: No specific geographic location.
Department: City Attorney
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: Yes
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) State Guidelines; therefor e, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the Legal Service Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to increase the not-to-exceed amount on the agreement from $50,000 to $100,000.
SUMMARY
The City Attorney’s Office provides legal review, advice, consultation, and representation on a wide variety of legal issues and litigation related to City operations and staff. The advisory and transactional section of the City Attorney’s Office is currently understaffed. The amendment to th is agreement will allow the City to continue to use the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for on-call legal services as needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with CEQA and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The City Attorney’s Office provides a wide variety of legal services to the City, including legal review, advice, consultation, and representation on diverse matters impacting the City, including its officials, management, and departments.
The City Attorney’s Office has utilized private law firms to assist in managing the City’s legal needs. The City presently has a legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for general on -call legal services.
This firm has provided responsive, high quality legal assistance on a varie ty of matters pursuant to th is agreement, including labor and employment law matters.
Given the large volume of legal work and the temporarily reduced level of staffing in the City Attorney’s Office, the capacity in the existing agreement has been expended. The requested third amendment to the legal services agreement for on -call legal services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore will increase the not -to- exceed amount on the agreement from $50,000 to $100,000. The cost of this contract amendment is included within the current year budget, so no additional appropriation is necessary.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member , of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional current-year fiscal impact as a result of this action. Funding is available based on current year budget appropriations.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Third Amendment to LSA with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Staff Contact: Marco A. Verdugo, City Attorney