CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 6 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-1711 File ID: 26-11586 TO: City Council
FROM: Prasanna W. Rasiah, City Attorney
PREPARED BY: City Attorney's Office
MEETING DATE: September 08, 2026
SUBJECT:
County Reimbursement — Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an agreement with the County of San Mateo for the City to reimburse the County for legal services in an amount up to $50,000, with a $10,000 contingency; and authorize the City Attorney to execute the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
From time to time, the County of San Mateo and the City enter into agreements involving the maintenance of public rights of way. These agreements typically include a provision related to legal defense and indemnification. If an accident occurs in such public rights of way, the City and County may each receive government claims and if denied, it is possible that either or both entities would be sued. However, the indemnifying party will have an obligation to defend the other party while the litigation is ongoing. The defense obligation is independent from the issue of liability. Authorizing the City Attorney to execute a reimbursement agreement will allow the City to reimburse the County for legal services provided by an independent law firm where a conflict of interest exists between the interests of the City and County. If additional funds are necessary beyond the initial amount of $50,000 and the $10,000 contingency due to litigation expenses, staff will return to the Council to seek additional funds.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The costs associated with the reimbursement agreement can be absorbed in the Fiscal Year 2026–27 approved budget for the City Attorney’s office.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This item is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (Public Resources Code Section 21065.)
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This staff report supports the Organizational Health and Good Governance initiative.
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
None
STAFF CONTACT
Prasanna W. Rasiah, City Attorney
[email protected]
(650) 522-7020