PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND
HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS AND ASSOCIATES
FOR
SALES AND USE TAX/ALLOCATION AND AUDIT SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into by and between the City of Huntington Beach, a municipal corporation of the State of California, hereinafter referred to as "CITY," and, HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS AND ASSOCIATES, a hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT."
WHEREAS, CITY desires to engage the services of a consultant to perform sales and use tax/allocation and audit services; and
Pursuant to documentation on file in the office of the City Clerk, the provisions of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, Chapter 3.03, relating to procurement of professional service contracts have been complied with; and CONSULTANT has been selected to perform these services, NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by CITY and CONSULTANT as follows:
SCOPE OF SERVICES
CONSULTANT shall provide all services as described in Exhibit "A," which is attached hereto and incorporated into this Agreement by this reference. These services shall sometimes hereinafter be referred to as the "PROJECT." CONSULTANT hereby designates Andy Nickerson who shall represent it and be its sole contact and agent in all consultations with CITY during the performance of this Agreement.
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2. CITY STAFF ASSISTANCE
CITY shall assign a staff coordinator to work directly with CONSULTANT in the performance of this Agreement.
TERM; TIME OF PERFORMANCE
Time is of the essence of this Agreement. The services of CONSULTANT are to commence on August 1, 2023 (the "Commencement Date"). This Agreement shall automatically terminate three (3) years from the Commencement Date, unless extended or sooner terminated as provided herein. All tasks specified in Exhibit "A" shall be completed no later than two (2) years from the Commencement Date. The time for performance of the tasks identified in Exhibit "A" are generally to be shown in Exhibit "A." This schedule may be amended to benefit the PROJECT if mutually agreed to in writing by CITY and CONSULTANT.
In the event the Commencement Date precedes the Effective Date, CONSULTANT shall be bound by all terms and conditions as provided herein.
COMPENSATION
In consideration of the performance of the services described herein, CITY agrees to pay CONSULTANT on a time and materials basis at the rates specified in Exhibit "B," which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference into this Agreement, a fee, including all costs and expenses, not to exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000).
EXTRA WORK
In the event CITY requires additional services not included in Exhibit "A" or changes in the scope of services described in Exhibit "A," CONSULTANT will undertake such work only after receiving written authorization from CITY. Additional 23-12993/312319 2 of 12
compensation for such extra work shall be allowed only if the prior written approval of CITY is obtained.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
CONSULTANT shall be paid pursuant to the terms of Exhibit "B."
DISPOSITION OF PLANS, ESTIMATES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
CONSULTANT agrees that title to all materials prepared hereunder, including, without limitation, all original drawings, designs, reports, both field and office notices, calculations, computer code, language, data or programs, maps, memoranda, letters and other documents, shall belong to CITY, and CONSULTANT shall turn these materials over to CITY upon expiration or termination of this Agreement or upon PROJECT completion, whichever shall occur first. These materials may be used by CITY as it sees fit.
HOLD HARMLESS
A. CONSULTANT hereby agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless CITY, its officers, elected or appointed officials, employees, agents and volunteers from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, expenses, judgments, demands and defense costs (including, without limitation, costs and fees of litigation of every nature or liability of any kind or nature) arising out of or in connection with CONSULTANT's (or CONSULTANT's subcontractors, if any) negligent (or alleged negligent) performance of this Agreement or its failure to comply with any of its obligations contained in this Agreement by CONSULTANT, its officers, agents or employees except such loss or damage which was caused by the sole negligence or willful misconduct of CITY. CONSULTANT will conduct all defense at its sole cost and expense and CITY shall approve selection of CONSULTANT's counsel. This indemnity shall 23-12993/312319 3 of 12
apply to all claims and liability regardless of whether any insurance policies are applicable.
The policy limits do not act as limitation upon the amount of indemnification to be provided by CONSULTANT.
B. To the extent that CONSULTANT performs "Design Professional Services" within the meaning of Civil Code Section 2782.8, then the following Hold Harmless provision applies in place of subsection A above:
"CONSULTANT hereby agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless CITY and its officers, elected or appointed officials, employees, agents and volunteers, from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, expenses, demands and defense costs (including, without limitation, costs and fees of litigation of every nature or liability of any kind or nature) to the extent that the claims against CONSULTANT arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of CONSULTANT. In no event shall the cost to defend charged to CONSULTANT exceed CONSULTANT's proportionate percentage of fault. However, notwithstanding the previous sentence, in the event one or more other defendants to the claims and/or litigation is unable to pay its share of defense costs due to bankruptcy or dissolution of the business, CONSULTANT shall meet and confer with CITY and other defendants regarding unpaid defense costs. The duty to indemnify, including the duty and the cost to defend, is limited as provided in California Civil Code Section 2782.8.
C. Regardless of whether subparagraph A or B applies, CITY shall be reimbursed by CONSULTANT for all costs and attorney's fees incurred by CITY in enforcing this obligation. This indemnity shall apply to all claims and liability regardless of whether any insurance policies are applicable. The policy limits do not act as a limitation upon the amount of indemnification to be provided by CONSULTANT. 23-12993/312319 4 of 12
9. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
CONSULTANT shall obtain and furnish to CITY a professional liability insurance policy covering the work performed by it hereunder. This policy shall provide coverage for CONSULTANT's professional liability in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and in the aggregate. The above- mentioned insurance shall not contain a self-insured retention without the express written consent of CITY; however an insurance policy "deductible" of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or less is permitted. A claims-made policy shall be acceptable if the policy further provides that:
A. The policy retroactive date coincides with or precedes the initiation of the scope of work (including subsequent policies purchased as renewals or replacements).
B. CONSULTANT shall notify CITY of circumstances or incidents that might give rise to future claims.
CONSULTANT will make every effort to maintain similar insurance during the required extended period of coverage following PROJECT completion. If insurance is terminated for any reason, CONSULTANT agrees to purchase an extended reporting provision of at least two (2) years to report claims arising from work performed in connection with this Agreement.
If CONSULTANT fails or refuses to produce or maintain the insurance required by this section or fails or refuses to furnish the CITY with required proof that insurance has been procured and is in force and paid for, the CITY shall have the right, at the CITY's election, to forthwith terminate this Agreement. Such termination shall not 23-12993/312319 5 of 12
effect Consultant's right to be paid for its time and materials expended prior to notification of termination. CONSULTANT waives the right to receive compensation and agrees to indemnify the CITY for any work performed prior to approval of insurance by the CITY.
10. CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
Prior to commencing performance of the work hereunder, CONSULTANT shall furnish to CITY a certificate of insurance subject to approval of the City Attorney evidencing the foregoing insurance coverage as required by this Agreement; the certificate shall:
A. provide the name and policy number of each carrier and policy; state that the policy is currently in force; and
C. shall promise that such policy shall not be suspended, voided or canceled by either party, reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days' prior written notice; however, ten (10) days' prior written notice in the event of cancellation for nonpayment of premium.
CONSULTANT shall maintain the foregoing insurance coverage in force until the work under this Agreement is fully completed and accepted by CITY.
The requirement for carrying the foregoing insurance coverage shall not derogate from CONSULTANT's defense, hold harmless and indemnification obligations as set forth in this Agreement. CITY or its representative shall at all times have the right to demand the original or a copy of the policy of insurance. CONSULTANT shall pay, in a prompt and timely manner, the premiums on the insurance hereinabove required. 23-12993/312319 6 of 12
11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
CONSULTANT is, and shall be, acting at all times in the performance of this Agreement as an independent contractor herein and not as an employee of CITY.
CONSULTANT shall secure at its own cost and expense, and be responsible for any and all payment of all taxes, social security, state disability insurance compensation, unemployment compensation and other payroll deductions for CONSULTANT and its officers, agents and employees and all business licenses, if any, in connection with the PROJECT and/or the services to be performed hereunder.
12. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
All work required hereunder shall be performed in a good and workmanlike manner. CITY may terminate CONSULTANT's services hereunder at any time with or without cause, and whether or not the PROJECT is fully complete. Any termination of this Agreement by CITY shall be made in writing, notice of which shall be delivered to CONSULTANT as provided herein. In the event of termination, all finished and unfinished documents, exhibits, report, and evidence shall, at the option of CITY, become its property and shall be promptly delivered to it by CONSULTANT.
13. ASSIGNMENT AND DELEGATION
This Agreement is a personal service contract and the work hereunder shall not be assigned, delegated or subcontracted by CONSULTANT to any other person or entity without the prior express written consent of CITY. If an assignment, delegation or subcontract is approved, all approved assignees, delegates and subconsultants must satisfy the insurance requirements as set forth in Sections 9 and 10 hereinabove. 23-12993/312319 7 of 12
14. COPYRIGHTS/PATENTS
CITY shall own all rights to any patent or copyright on any work, item or material produced as a result of this Agreement.
15. CITY EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS
CONSULTANT shall employ no CITY official nor any regular CITY employee in the work performed pursuant to this Agreement. No officer or employee of CITY shall have any financial interest in this Agreement in violation of the applicable provisions of the California Government Code.
16. NOTICES
Any notices, certificates, or other communications hereunder shall be given either by personal delivery to CONSULTANT's agent (as designated in Section 1 hereinabove) or to CITY as the situation shall warrant, or by enclosing the same in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, and depositing the same in the United States Postal Service, to the addresses specified below. CITY and CONSULTANT may designate different addresses to which subsequent notices, certificates or other communications will be sent by notifying the other party via personal delivery, a reputable overnight carrier or U. S. certified mail-return receipt requested:
TO CITY: TO CONSULTANT:
City of Huntington Beach Hinderliter de Llamas and Associates ATTN: Chief Financial Officer ATTN: Andy Nickerson
2000 Main Street 120 S. State College Blvd., Suite 200
Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Brea, CA 92821
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17. CONSENT
When CITY's consent/approval is required under this Agreement, its consent/approval for one transaction or event shall not be deemed to be a consent/approval to any subsequent occurrence of the same or any other transaction or event.
18. MODIFICATION
No waiver or modification of any language in this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and duly executed by both parties.
19. SECTION HEADINGS
The titles, captions, section, paragraph and subject headings, and descriptive phrases at the beginning of the various sections in this Agreement are merely descriptive and are included solely for convenience of reference only and are not representative of matters included or excluded from such provisions, and do not interpret, define, limit or describe, or construe the intent of the parties or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
20. INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
The language of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the parties.
If any provision of this Agreement is held by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, void, illegal or invalid, such holding shall not invalidate or affect the remaining covenants and provisions of this Agreement. No covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other unless so expressly provided here.
As used in this Agreement, the masculine or neuter gender and singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the other whenever the context so indicates or requires.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed so as to require the commission of any act 23-12993/312319 9 of 12
contrary to law, and wherever there is any conflict between any provision contained herein and any present or future statute, law, ordinance or regulation contrary to which the parties have no right to contract, then the latter shall prevail, and the provision of this Agreement which is hereby affected shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law.
21. DUPLICATE ORIGINAL
The original of this Agreement and one or more copies hereto have been prepared and signed in counterparts as duplicate originals, each of which so executed shall, irrespective of the date of its execution and delivery, be deemed an original. Each duplicate original shall be deemed an original instrument as against any party who has signed it.
22. IMMIGRATION
CONSULTANT shall be responsible for full compliance with the immigration and naturalization laws of the United States and shall, in particular, comply with the provisions of the United States Code regarding employment verification.
23. LEGAL SERVICES SUBCONTRACTING PROHIBITED
CONSULTANT and CITY agree that CITY is not liable for payment of any subcontractor work involving legal services, and that such legal services are expressly outside the scope of services contemplated hereunder. CONSULTANT understands that pursuant to Huntington Beach City Charter Section 309, the City Attorney is the exclusive legal counsel for CITY; and CITY shall not be liable for payment of any legal services expenses incurred by CONSULTANT.
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24. ATTORNEY'S FEES
In the event suit is brought by either party to construe, interpret and/or enforce the terms and/or provisions of this Agreement or to secure the performance hereof, each party shall bear its own attorney's fees, such that the prevailing party shall not be entitled to recover its attorney's fees from the nonprevailing party.
25. SURVIVAL
Terms and conditions of this Agreement, which by their sense and context survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, shall so survive.
26. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
27. SIGNATORIES
Each undersigned represents and warrants that its signature hereinbelow has the power, authority and right to bind their respective parties to each of the terms of this Agreement, and shall indemnify CITY fully for any injuries or damages to CITY in the event that such authority or power is not, in fact, held by the signatory or is withdrawn.
28. ENTIRETY
The parties acknowledge and agree that they are entering into this Agreement freely and voluntarily following extensive arm's length negotiation, and that each has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel prior to executing this Agreement. The parties also acknowledge and agree that no representations, inducements, promises, agreements or warranties, oral or otherwise, have been made by that party or anyone acting on that party's behalf, which are not embodied in this Agreement, and that that party has not executed this Agreement in reliance on any representation, inducement, 23-12993/312319 11 of 12
promise, agreement, warranty, fact or circumstance not expressly set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement, and the attached exhibits, contain the entire agreement between the parties respecting the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements whether oral or in writing between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof.
29. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement shall be effective on the date of its approval by the City Attorney. This Agreement shall expire when terminated as provided herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by and through their authorized officers.
CONSULTANT, CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
HINDERLITER de LLAMAS AND a municipal corporation of the State of ASSOCIATES California
By:_
City Manager
print name INITIATED AND APPROVED:
ITS: (circle one) Chairman/President/Vice President
AND Chief Kinancial Officer
By:_ APPROVED AS TO FORM: CCl
print name City Attorney
ITS: (circle one) Secretary/Chief Financial Officer/Asst.
Secretary - Treasurer Date
RECEIVE AND FILE:
City Clerk
Date
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EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF WORK
1. Sales and Use Tax and Economic Analysis/Forecasting Services/Reports
1.1. Establish a special database identifying the name, address, and quarterly allocations of all sales tax producers within the City. This database will be utilized to generate special reports to City on major sales tax producers by rank and category, sales tax activity by categories, or business districts, identification of reporting aberrations, and per capita and outlet comparisons with regional and statewide sales.
1.2. Provide periodic updated reports to City identifying changes in sales by individual businesses, business groups and categories, and by geographic area. These reports may include, without limitation, quarterly aberrations due to State audits, fund transfers, and receivables, along with late or double payments, and quarterly reconciliation worksheets to assist with budget forecasting.
Consultant shall meet quarterly by in person or virtually with City.
1.3. Shall additionally provide following each calendar quarter a summary analysis for City to share with Council Members, Chamber of Commerce, other economic development interest groups and the public that analyze City's sales tax trends by major groups and geographic areas without disclosing confidential individual tax records.
1.4. Establish a special database with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration ("CDTFA") registration data for businesses within applicable district boundaries holding seller's permit accounts.
1.5. Periodically license for the limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable use by City's staff certain of Consultant's web-based sales, use and/or transactions tax programs) containing sellers permit, registration, allocation and related information for business outlets within City's jurisdiction registered with the CDTFA.
1.6. Provide periodic updated reports endeavoring to identify and assist with budget forecasting (i) changes in allocation totals by individual businesses, business groups and categories, and (ii) aberrations due to State audits, fund transfers, and receivables, along with late or double payments.
2. Allocation and Audit Recovery Services
2.1. Conduct (when mutually agreed with City) initial and on-going sales and use tax audits of businesses to help identify and correct distribution and allocation errors, and to proactively affect favorable registration, reporting or formula changes thereby generating previously unrealized sales and use tax income for the City and/or recovering misallocated tax from registered taxpayers.
Common errors that will be monitored and corrected include but are not limited to: transposition errors resulting in misallocations; erroneous consolidation of multiple outlets; formula errors; misreporting of "point of sale" to the wrong location; delays in reporting new outlets; misallocating use tax payments to the allocation pools or wrong jurisdiction; and erroneous fund transfers and adjustments.
2.2. Initiate contacts with the CDTFA and sales management and accounting officials in companies that have businesses where a probability of error exists to endeavor to help verify whether current tax receipts accurately reflect the local sales activity. Such contacts will be conducted in a professional and courteous manner.
2.3. Prepare and submit to the CDTFA information for the purpose of correcting any identified allocation errors, and follow-up with individual businesses and the CDTFA to promote recovery by the City of back or prospective quarterly payments that may be owing.
2.4. If, during the course of its audit, Consultant finds businesses located in the City's jurisdiction that are properly reporting sales and use tax but have the potential for modifying their operation to 1248933.1 Page 1 of 5
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF WORK
provide an even greater share to City, Consultant may so advise City and collaborate with those businesses and City to encourage such changes.
Consulting and Other Optional Services
Consultant may from time to time in its sole discretion, consult with City's staff, including without limitation, regarding (i) technical questions and other issues related to sales and use tax, (ii) utilization of reports to enhance business license collection efforts; (ili) sales tax projections for proposed annexations, economic development projects and budget planning, (iv) negotiating/review of tax sharing agreements, (v) establishing purchasing corporations, (vi) meeting with taxpayers to encourage self-assessment of tax obligations, and (vii) other sales and use tax revenue-related matters. 1248933.1 Page 2 of 5
EXHIBIT B
FEES
4. Sales and Use Tax and Economic Analysis/Forecasting Services/Reports
4.1. Fees for performing the sales tax and economic analysis/forecasting Services as described above shall initially be $850 per month, commencing with the month of the Effective Date (hereafter referred to as "monthly fee"). The monthly fee shall be invoiced quarterly in arrears and shall be paid by City no later than 30 days after the invoice date.
4.2. Consultant may change the non-hourly Fees established above upon at least 30 days' prior written notice to City (but not more than once a year). Any such change must be with reference to the 12- month percent change in the most recently published annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the "CP! Change").
5. Allocation and Audit Recovery Services
5.1. Fees for performing the allocation and audit recovery Services described above shall be 15% of all new, increased and recovered sales and use tax revenue received by the City as a result, in whole or in part, of the allocation audit and recovery services (hereafter referred to as "audit fee").
The fee shall be paid notwithstanding any related City assistance, work in parallel, and/or incurrence of attorneys' fees or other costs or expenses in connection, with the relevant Services.
5.2. The Fee described above include, without limitation, State fund transfers received for back quarter reallocations and monies received in the first eight (8) consecutive reporting quarters following completion of Consultant's allocation audit and confirmation of the corrections by the CDTFA.
5.3. These Fees shall be paid by City upon Consultant's submittal of evidence of Consultant's relevant Services in support thereof, including, without limitation, copies of relevant communications between Consultant and the CDTFA and/or taxpayers.
5.4. Consultant recognizes City's authority to waive or reduce the tax/fee-related debt of a business.
Should City decide to do so for a business whose deficiency was identified by Consultant, Consultant shall be entitled to compensation in the amount of one half (1/2) of the Fees Consultant would have otherwise earned. Deficiencies which are uncollectable due to insolvency or dissolution of the business, or for deficiencies which are otherwise incapable of collection (i.e., statute of limitation or other legal defense) shall not be considered a City voluntary election to waive, and thus, Consultant would not be entitled to compensation related thereto under this provision. (
6. Consulting and Other Optional Services
6.1. Fees for performing the consulting and other optional Services described above shall be based on the following initial hourly rates: (i) Principal - $325; (ii) Programmer - $295; (iii) Senior Analyst - $245; and (iv) Analyst - $195.
6.2. Consultant may change the rates for its hourly Fees from time to time. A 30 days' prior written notice to City will be given.
7. General Provisions Relating to Fees
7.1. Fees for travel and lodging expenses will be invoiced at cost and applied to all meetings (including implementation, training, operations, and support). Travel expenses only apply to out of scope travel and must therefore be pre-approved by City.
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EXHIBIT B
7.2. Fees will be invoiced monthly to City for Services performed during the prior month. To the extent that Consultant has commercially reasonable means to do so, Fees will be netted out of City's monthly revenue disbursement.
8. Confidentiality Information
Section 7056 of the State of California Revenue and Taxation Code ("R&T Code") specifically limits the disclosure of confidential taxpayer information contained in the records of the CDTFA. Section 7056 specifies the conditions under which a city, county or district may authorize persons other than such city, county or district's officers and employees to examine state sales and use tax records.
The following conditions specified in Section 7056-(b)(1) of the State of California R&T Code are hereby made part of this Agreement:
8.1. Consultant is authorized by this Agreement to examine sales, use or transactions and use tax records of the CDTFA provided to City pursuant to contract under the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law R&T Code Section 7200 et.seq.
8.2. Consultant is required to disclose information contained in, or derived from, those sales or transactions and use tax records only to an officer or employee of City who is authorized by City resolution provided to the CDTFA to examine the information.
8.3. Consultant is prohibited from performing consulting services for a retailer (as defined in R&T Code Section 6015), during the term of this agreement.
8.4. Consultant is prohibited from retaining the information contained in or derived from those sales, use or transactions and use tax records after this agreement has expired. Information obtained by examination of the CDTFA records shall be used only for purposes related to collection of local sales and use tax or for other governmental functions of the City as set forth by resolution adopted pursuant to Section 7056 (b) of the Revenue and Taxation Code. The resolution shall designate the Consultant as a person authorized to examine sales and use tax records and certify that this agreement meets the requirements set forth above and in Section 7056 (b), (1) of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
9. Software Use and Proprietary Information
Software Use. Consultant hereby provides authorization to City to access Consultant's Sales Tax website if City chooses to subscribe to the software and reports option. The website shall only be used by authorized City staff. No access will be granted to any third party without explicit written authorization by Consultant. City shall not sublet, duplicate, modify, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code of said software. The software use granted hereunder shall not imply ownership by City of said software, or any right of City to sell said software or the use of same, or any right to use said software for the benefit of others. This software use authorization is not transferable. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, the software use authorization shall expire, and all City staff website logins shall be de-activated.
Proprietary Information. As used herein, the term "proprietary information" means all information or material that has or could have commercial value or other utility in Consultant's business, including without limitation: Consultant's (i) computer or data processing programs; (ii) data processing applications, routines, subroutines, techniques or systems; desktop or web-based software; (iii) business processes; (iv) marketing plans, analysis and strategies; and (v) materials and techniques used; as well as the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise required by law, City shall hold in 1248933.1
EXHIBIT B
confidence and shall not use (except as expressly authorized by this Agreement) or disclose to any other party any proprietary information provided, learned of or obtained by City in connection with this Agreement. The obligations imposed by this Section shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement or otherwise. The terms of this Section shall not apply to any information that is public information.
1248933.1