City Council
Staff Report
From: City Attorney
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Attorney
Meeting Date: March 17, 2025
Report #:2502-4219
TITLE
Authorization to Execute Amendment to Legal Services Agreement S23187569 with Howard Rome Martin Ridley & Master LLP dba Ridley Master to Increase Amount by $60,000 for Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $315,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Attorney or designee to amend the agreement for litigation defense services with the law firm of Ridley Master (Contract S23187569) to increase the agreement amount by $60,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $315,000.
BACKGROUND
Ridley Master is a law firm specializing in civil defense litigation.
In February 2023, the City entered into a three-year agreement (S23187569) with Ridley Master for litigation defense services in civil suit Rossner v. City of Palo Alto, et al., Santa Clara Co. Sup.
Ct. Case No. 23-CV-410650. Staff now seeks authority to increase the agreement amount by $60,000 which will bring the new not to exceed amount to $315,000. Litigation defense is continuing in this matter.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Funding for this amendment does not require additional budgetary authority as it can be accommodated within existing budgets.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The City Attorney’s Office works closely with the City Manager and department personnel on dispute resolution and defense.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Amendment of a legal services contract is not a project requiring environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (See CEQA Guidelines 15378(b)(5), administrative activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment).
APPROVED BY:
Molly Stump, City Attorney