2 9
5 2
CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: October 15, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Andrea Russell, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Amendments to Professional Services Agreements for Legal Services (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute:
1. Fifth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo for the provision of legal services in connection with the case entitled Brian Pellis, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al. US District Court Case No. CIVSB 2226731 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $950,000 to $2,000,000. This case remains open.
2. Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo for the provision of legal services in connection with the case entitled Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2402094 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $240,000 to $400,000. This case remains open.
City Manager’s Comments
No Comments
Executive Summary
Amending the legal services agreements will allow the City to pay outstanding invoices and retain current legal counsel.
Background
The City often engages outside legal counsel to handle specific matters rather than relying solely on the appointed City Attorney’s Office. This is a standard practice among municipalities and is done to ensure the City receives the highest level of expertise on specialized issues.
2 9
5 2
Outside counsel may be retained when a matter requires particular subject-matter expertise, demands additional capacity due to workload, or necessitates independent representation to best protect the City’s interests.
This approach allows the City to maintain transparency, uphold ethical standards, and ensure that each legal matter is handled efficiently and in the public’s best interest.
Brian Pellis, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al.
On July 14, 2022, the City entered into an agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR) in the amount of $49,999.00 pursuant to 3.04.085(A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in Brian Pellis, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al., US District Court Case No. CIVSB 2226731.
On October 17, 2023, the city entered into the first amendment to the agreement for a total not to exceed $100,000.
On January 23, 2024, the City entered into the second amendment to the agreement for a total not to exceed $250,000.
On June 5, 2024, the City entered into the third amendment to the agreement for a total not to exceed $450,000.
On February 5, 2025, the City entered into the fourth amendment to the agreement for a total not to exceed $950,000.
Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino
On October 5, 2023, the City entered into an agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo in the amount of $100,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Superior Court Case CIVSB2402094.
On July 16, 2025, the City entered into the first amendment to the agreement for a total not to exceed $245,000.
Discussion
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo (AALRR) has worked effectively and efficiently on the Brian Pellis v. City of San Bernardino and Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino matters. These cases are still active.
Increasing the not to exceed limits will retain AALRR as counsel for these matters. It is advisable to maintain them as continued representation is essential to protect the City’s interest and avoid unnecessary liability.
2 9
5 2
The proposed amendments to the contract amounts are as follows:
Case Firm Current Not-to
Exceed Amount
Proposed Not-to-
Exceed Amount
Brian Pellis, et al.
Atkinson,
Andelson, Loya,
Ruud and Romo
$950,000 $2,000,000
Christina Nedrebo
Atkinson,
Andelson, Loya,
Ruud and Romo
$245,000 $400,000
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Authorization of these amendments aligns with Key Target No. 1e: Improved Operational & Financial Capacity – Minimize Risk and Litigation Exposure. Continued legal representation protects the City’s interest and avoids unnecessary liability.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is $1,155,000. The Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget has sufficient funds to accommodate this increase to the Professional Services Agreements.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute:
1. Fifth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo for the provision of legal services in connection with the case entitled Brian Pellis, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al. US District Court Case No. CIVSB 2226731 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $950,000 to $2,000,000. This case remains open.
2. Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo for the provision of legal services in connection with the case entitled Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2402094 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $240,000 to $400,000. This case remains open.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Fifth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Brian Pellis case.
Attachment 2 - Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case.
2 9
5 2
Attachment 3 - Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Brian Pellis case.
Attachment 4 - Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case.
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
February 5, 2025, the Mayor and City Council authorized the City Manager to execute the Fourth Amendment with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Brian Pellis, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al Case No. CIVSB 2226731
July 16, 2025, the Mayor and City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a the First Amendment with Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2402094.
CC: Eric Levitt