STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 10
3/24/2026
TN
Date: March 24, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Patti Garibay, Director - Community Development
Justin Hillemann, Manager – Community Preservation
Subject: Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Dapeer, Rosenblit & Litvak, LLP for Community Preservation Legal Services (RFP No. 873-26) Recommendation:
1. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Dapeer, Rosenblit & Litvak, LLP for Community Preservation Legal Services in an amount not to exceed $150,000 annually, total NTE of $1,050,000 for the entirety of the agreement over the five (5) years, 3 months and option to extend the Agreement for one (1) additional two-year period upon mutual written agreement.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement, subject to City Attorney approval as to form.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
The Agreement authorizes expenditures in an amount not to exceed $150,000 annually, total NTE of $1,050,000 for the entirety of the agreement over the five (5) years, 3 months and additional option for one (1) two-year period. Funding is included in the Community Preservation/Code Enforcement legal services budget and will be subject to annual budget appropriations by the City Council. No additional General Fund appropriation is requested at this time.
Background:
On January 5, 2026, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 873-26 for Community Preservation Legal Services. The purpose of the RFP was to secure qualified municipal legal counsel with expertise in code enforcement prosecution, nuisance abatement, administrative hearings, civil enforcement actions, ordinance drafting, and related municipal litigation support. 2 3
2 1
Proposals were evaluated by a staff committee using the criteria identified in the RFP, including:
Quality and effectiveness of proposed services
Relevant municipal experience and staff qualifications Cost to the City
Following evaluation, Dapeer, Rosenblit & Litvak, LLP was determined to be the most qualified firm based on demonstrated experience representing California municipalities, extensive expertise in municipal code enforcement and nuisance abatement litigation, and the ability to provide responsive and strategic legal support aligned with the City’s Community Preservation objectives.
The selected firm will provide legal services including administrative enforcement, civil nuisance actions, cost recovery proceedings, ordinance drafting, and litigation support necessary to advance the City’s neighborhood preservation, housing compliance, and public safety initiatives.
Attachment:
Professional Services Agreement_Dapeer, Rosenbilt and Litvak LLP_2026