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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: September 2, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Andrea Russell, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services
Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud, and
Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, et al. increasing the not-to-exceed
amount from $750,000 to $1,000,000 (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 the fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, et al., Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2402094 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $750,000 to $1,000,000.
City Manager's Comments
City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
The City retained Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo in October 2023 to represent the City in the Christina Nedrebo litigation. The matter remains active, and the current $750,000 contract needs to be increased to complete the pending matter.
Staff recommends increasing the agreement by $250,000, from $750,000 to $1,000,000, to provide continued legal representation.
Amending the legal services agreement by increasing the not-to-exceed limit for ongoing cases herein allows the City to pay outstanding invoices and retain current legal counsel.
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Background
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. This case remains active.
On July 16, 2025, the City entered into a first amendment to the agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo in the amount of $250,000 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 October 15, 2025, the City entered into a second amendment to the agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo in the amount of $400,000 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 May 6, 2026, the City entered into a third amendment to the agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo in the amount of $750,000 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.
Agreement Not to Exceed Increase
Original – Oct. 2023 $100,000 —
First Amendment – Jul. 2025 $245,000 $145,000
Second Amendment – Oct.
2025
$400,000 $155,000
Third Amendment – May
2026
$750,000 $350,000
Proposed Fourth
Amendment
$1,000,000 $250,000
Discussion
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo has provided effective and timely legal services on this matter. Increasing the not-to-exceed limits will allow for the continued engagement of this firm as legal counsel for the City. Maintaining this relationship 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
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Christina
Nedrebo
Atkinson, Andelson,
Loya, Ruud and Romo
$750,000 $1,000,000
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 proposed Fourth Amendment increases the City's maximum contractual obligation by $250,000, from $750,000 to $1,000,000. 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 the fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, et al., Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2402094 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $750,000 to $1,000,000.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case
Attachment 2 - Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case.
Attachment 3 - First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case.
Attachment 4 - Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case.
Attachment 5 - Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo case.
Ward:
All Wards
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Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
May 6, 2026 Mayor and City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo for representation in the Christina Nedrebo v. City of San Bernardino, Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2402094.