City Council Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-01060 May 24, 2022 Consent Item 02
Title: Supplement to Contract No. 2021-0127 for Legal Services
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Pass a Motion amending contract #2021-0127 by $256,680 and authorizing the City Attorney, or the City Attorney’s delegee, to execute a supplemental contract with Liebert, Cassidy & Whitmore in an amount not to exceed $306,680 for litigation support.
Contact: Kathleen Rogan, Senior Deputy City Attorney, (916) 808-5346, [email protected], Office of the City Attorney
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Supplement to Contract 2021-0127
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Staff is seeking Council approval to supplement the current legal services agreement with Liebert, Cassidy & Whitmore in an amount not to exceed $306,680 for expenses associated with the litigation entitled Renix v. City of Sacramento. This amendment is necessary due to heavy motion practice and discovery issues created by plaintiff’s counsel and were not anticipated by counsel when the original budget was created.
The City Attorney’s Office maintains a pre-approved list of qualified outside counsel available to assist with litigation matters. The firm of Liebert, Cassidy, and Whitmore is on the City’s list of approved law firms and is qualified to continue to represent the City’s interest in this lawsuit.
It is recommended that the Council authorize the City Attorney to enter into a contract for legal services with Liebert, Cassidy, & Whitmore in an amount not to exceed $306,680.
Policy Considerations: This funding is required to continue representation and defense of the City in this litigation.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: Contracting for outside legal services is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment and is not a project subject to CEQA review. CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: A lawsuit was filed by current employee Carol Renix that requires the assistance of outside legal counsel due to a conflict of interest issue.
Financial Considerations: There will be no additional impact to the General Fund. Funding for this contract supplement will be paid from the Risk Fund.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Liebert, Cassidy, and Whitmore is an LBE.