City of Sacramento
City Council Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-01381 8/9/2022 Consent Item 3.
Amendment to Contract #2021-0491 for Legal Services
File ID: 2022-01381
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Pass a Motion amending contract #2021-0491 by $200,000 and authorizing the City Attorney to execute a supplemental contract with Cooper & Scully, P.C. in an amount not-to- exceed $290,000 for litigation assistance.
Contact: Andrea Velasquez, Supervising Deputy City Attorney, (916) 808-5346, [email protected]; Office of the City Attorney Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Supplement to Contract 2021-0491
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Staff is seeking Council approval to execute a $200,000 supplement to the current legal services agreement with Cooper & Scully, for a total amount not to exceed $290,000 for expenses associated with the litigation entitled Zuhu Wang v. City of Sacramento. This amendment is necessary to bring this case to conclusion.
The City Attorney’s Office maintains a pre-approved list of qualified outside counsel available to assist with litigation matters. Cooper & Scully is on the City’s list of approved law firms and is qualified to continue to represent the City’s interest in this lawsuit.
Policy Considerations: This funding is required to continue representation and defense of the City in this litigation.
Economic Impacts: None.
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File ID: 2022-01381 8/9/2022 Consent Item 3.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): 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 challenging the City’s issuance and enforcement of administrative penalties against property owners for illegal cannabis grows and requires the assistance of outside legal counsel.
Financial Considerations: There will be no additional impact to the General Fund. There is sufficient funding available in the Risk Fund.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Cooper & Scully is an LBE.
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