COUNCIL AGENDA: 05/02/23
FILE: 23-613
ITEM: 2.8
2011913
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Nora Frimann
City Attorney
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: April 20, 2023
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENTS FOR LEGAL SERVICES RELATING
TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE PENSION REFORM
SETTLEMENT FRAMEWORK
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to negotiate and execute amendments to agreements for legal services relating to implementation of Measure F, the Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework approved by the voters at election in November 2016, as follows:
(a) A Fifteenth Amendment with Hanson Bridgett LLP for legal services in connection with the City’s retirement plans and other benefit plans and programs, extending the term from June 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024, with no increase in the amount of compensation; and
(b) A Fourteenth Amendment with Ice Miller LLP for legal services in connection with retiree health and dental benefits and related tax issues, extending the term from June 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024, with no increase in the amount of compensation.
OUTCOME
Execution of the amendments to the agreements with Hanson Bridgett LLP (“Hanson Bridgett”) and Ice Miller LLP (“Ice Miller”) will allow these law firms to continue to provide legal services related to employment, labor and implementation of the Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework agreed to by the bargaining groups and City voters.
BACKGROUND
The City Council in May 2011 approved a Fiscal Reform Plan to achieve savings and/or new revenues to eliminate the General Fund structural deficit, restore services to the January 2011 level, and to open facilities built or under construction within five years. In June 2012, San José voters approved Measure B, modifying City retirement plans and
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 20, 2023
Subject: Amendments to Agreements for Legal Services Relating to Implementation of the Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework
2011913
retiree healthcare plans in accordance with the Fiscal Reform Plan. In November 2016, San José voters approved Measure F, an Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework agreed to by the City and employee bargaining groups, superseding the modifications made by Measure B.
Hanson Bridgett LLP
On May 21, 2012, the City Attorney executed an agreement with the law firm of Hanson Bridgett for a term ending June 30, 2013, in a total amount not to exceed $50,000, to provide legal services relating to the City’s retirement plans. This agreement has been amended since that time to expand the scope of services to include other City benefit plans and programs, to increase the total compensation, and to extend the term. The current total compensation under this contract is $719,000, with the term expiring on June 30, 2023. The recommended action asks to extend the term through June 30, 2024, with no increase in the amount of total compensation.
Ice Miller LLP
On May 4, 2011, the City Attorney executed an agreement with the law firm of Ice Miller for a term ending June 30, 2012, in a total amount not to exceed $50,000, to provide legal services relating to the establishment of an Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) 115 trust, and to provide advice relating to that trust. This agreement has been amended since that time to expand the scope of services to include federal tax legal advice, to increase the total compensation, and to extend the term. The current total compensation under this contract is $500,000, with the term expiring on June 30, 2023.
The recommended action asks to extend the term through June 30, 2024, with no increase in the amount of total compensation.
ANALYSIS
The Association of Legal Professionals (“ALP”) represents the attorneys and other legal professionals in the Office of the City Attorney, except for the managing attorneys that are in Unit 99. Many of the labor and pension issues in the Alternative Pension Reform Settlement are issues which have been and may continue to be part of the labor negotiations with ALP. Additionally, because ALP and Unit 99 attorneys are part of the City’s retirement plan, the City is required to use outside counsel.
The legal issues referenced above require attorneys with specialized expertise and extensive public sector experience.
Management attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office will coordinate and provide legal advice, as appropriate, on many of the labor and pension issues and will also provide oversight services for outside counsel. When appropriate, certain other attorneys may provide legal services on matters where no conflicts of interest exist.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 20, 2023
Subject: Amendments to Agreements for Legal Services Relating to Implementation of the Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework
2011913
The City Attorney’s Office released three Requests for Qualifications in 2009-2011 to develop a pool of law firms that could provide advisory counsel and legal services on labor relations matters for all employee units in the City of San José. Law firms selected as a result of this Request for Qualifications process include Hanson Bridgett for retirement plan issues, and Ice Miller for tax-related issues including the establishment of the revised Retirement Health Care Administration.
As a result of the agreement between the City and the bargaining groups and the approval of Measure F by City voters in 2016, Hanson Bridgett’s continued assistance is required to modify the City’s Municipal Code to implement the Settlement Framework.
Ice Miller’s continued assistance is required in assessing federal tax implications/consequences for a variety of City retirement proposals, including those contemplated in the Settlement Framework.
CONCLUSION
To ensure the continued delivery of legal services in support of the Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework, staff recommends extending the term of the agreements with Ice Miller and Hanson Bridgett for one additional year through June 30, 2024, with no increase in the maximum amount of compensation.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s website as part of the May 2, 2023 City Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project; File No. PP17-003, Agreements/Contracts (New or Amended) resulting in no physical changes to the environment.
NORA FRIMANN
City Attorney
By: /s/ Kevin Fisher
KEVIN FISHER
Assistant City Attorney
For questions, please contact Kevin Fisher, Assistant City Attorney, at (408) 535-1900.
cc: Jennifer Maguire