October 7, 2025
Community Development
DATE: October 7, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Community Development Department
Subject:
Legal Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 with Burke,
Williams & Sorensen, LLP
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed Legal Service Agreement would be paid using fees collected by parties the City is negotiating with or via proceeds from disposition or lease transactions.
Professional Services funds are allocated in the
Community Development budget in (Account String:
15061219-400206)
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
June 20, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Community Development Department is seeking
approval to execute a first amendment to the Legal
Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen,
LLP to continue supporting staff in negotiating and
representing the City in various real estate transactions, representing the City and the Successor Agency to the
former Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency.
The amendments would add additional fund and extend
the term.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a first amendment to the Legal Services
Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, in the
amount of $400,000, for a total contract amount not to
exceed $800,000, with a term ending on December 31,
2028, to continue representing the City in real estate
negotiations, including property disposition and/or leases AGENDA
REPORT
October 7, 2025
to be paid for using deposits from negotiating parties
and/or transaction proceeds – Community Development
Department (Lina Velasco 510-620-6706).
DISCUSSION:
A Legal Services Agreement was approved by the City Council on June 20, 2023, with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP (“Burke”), to represent the City and the Successor Agency in recent real estate transactions including the Metrowalk Phase 2, Miraflores, 12th and Macdonald, City’s Homekey project, and to support future Surplus Land Act disposition or lease projects.
To continue Burke’s support to the City and the Successor Agency, City staff is recommending a first amendment to the Legal Services Agreement to increase the budget by $400,000, for a total contract amount of $800,000, for a term ending December 31, 2028, to provide for representation of the City and the Successor Agency in real estate negotiations, including property disposition and/or leases and financing documents.
Burke’s attorneys have substantial experience in such matters and provide special counsel services to numerous cities, housing authorities, and other public agencies throughout the Bay Area and California on redevelopment/successor agency operational matters, real estate and affordable housing development and finance matters, and compliance with land use and related laws, including the Surplus Lands Act. In addition, the attorneys have been extremely prompt and thorough.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The contemplated work to be supported by Burke would help realize various strategic goals adopted by the City Council, including completing the development of Miraflores and Metrowalk Phase 2.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – First Amendment to the Legal Services Agreement Attachment 2 – Original Legal Services Agreement