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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: August 19, 2026
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 designee to execute:
1. Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans and Dumont for representation in the Renato Urena v. City of San Bernardino, et al., United States District Court Case No. 5:24-cv-00341 JGB (SHKx) increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $250,000.
2. Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Miguel Ramirez, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2401124 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $175,000.
3. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Angela Kay Erickon v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2317760 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $175,000.
4. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Ruben Marin v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2425499 increasing the not- to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $200,000.
City Manager's Comments
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N/A
Executive Summary
Amending the legal services agreements by increasing the not-to-exceed limit for all ongoing cases herein allows the City to pay outstanding invoices and retain current legal counsel.
Background
Renato Urena v. City of San Bernardino
On March 15, 2023, the City entered into an agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $49,999 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Renato Urena v. City of San Bernardino, United States District Court Case No. 5:24-cv-00341 JGB (SHKx). This case remains active.
On September 24, 2025, the City entered into a first amendment to the agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $100,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Renato Urena v. City of San Bernardino, United States District Court Case No. 5:24-cv-00341 JGB (SHKx).
Miguel Ramirez v. City of San Bernardino
On June 11, 2024, the City entered into an agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $25,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Miguel Ramirez, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2401124. This case remains active.
On September 12, 2025, the City entered into a first amendment to the agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $50,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Miguel Ramirez, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2401124.
On April 30, 2026, the City entered into a second amendment to the agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $100,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Miguel Ramirez, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2401124.
Angela Kay Erickon v. City of San Bernardino
On September 27, 2023, the City entered into an agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $100,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Angela Kay Erickon v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2317760. This case remains active.
Ruben Marin v. City of San Bernardino
On April 2, 2024, the City entered into an agreement with Graves and King in the amount of $100,000 pursuant to 3.04.085 (A) of the Municipal Code to represent the City in the Ruben Marin v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2425499. This case remains active.
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Discussion
Carpenter, Rothans and Dumont and Graves and King have provided effective and timely legal services on these matters. Increasing the not-to-exceed limits will allow for the continued engagement of these firms as legal counsel for the City. Maintaining these relationships is recommended to protect the City’s interests and minimize potential liability.
All matters remain active.
Case Firm Current Not-to-
Exceed Amount
Proposed Not-to-
Exceed Amount
Renato Urena Carpenter,
Rothans and
Dumont
$100,000 $250,000
Miguel Ramirez Graves and King $100,000 $175,000
Angela Erickson Graves and King $100,000 $175,000
Ruben Marin Graves and King $100,000 $200,000
Strategic Goals and Priorities
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 $400,000. The Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget has sufficient funds to accommodate this increase to the Professional Legal Services Agreements.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager or designee to execute:
1. Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans and Dumont for representation in the Renato Urena v. City of San Bernardino, et al., United States District Court Case No. 5:24-cv-00341 JGB (SHKx) increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $250,000.
2. Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Miguel Ramirez, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2401124 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $175,000.
3. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Angela Kay Erickon v. City of San Bernardino, 3 5
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et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2317760 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $175,000.
4. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Ruben Marin v. City of San Bernardino, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2425499 increasing the not- to-exceed amount from $100,000 to $200,000.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans and Dumont for representation in the Renato Urena case.
Attachment 2 – Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Miguel Ramirez case.
Attachment 3 – First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Angela Erickson case.
Attachment 4 – First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Ruben Marin case.
Attachment 5 - First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans and Dumont for representation in the Renato Urena case.
Attachment 6 – Professional Services Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans and Dumont for representation in the Renato Urena case.
Attachment 7 - Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Miguel Ramirez case.
Attachment 8 – First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Miguel Ramirez case.
Attachment 9 – Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Miguel Ramirez case.
Attachment 10 – Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Angela Erickson case.
Attachment 11 – Professional Services Agreement with Graves and King for representation in the Ruben Marin case.
Ward:
All Wards
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Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
N/A
CC Eric Levitt, City Manager