RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-025
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002672A WITH GEARY, SHEA, O’DONNELL, GRATTAN & MITCHELL P.C. INCREASING COMPENSATION BY $40,000 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $680,000 FOR CONTINUED LEGAL REPRESENTATION; DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; AND INCREASE IN APPROPRIATIONS OF $70,000 FROM THE UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND FOR CONTINUED LEGAL SERVICES WHEREAS, effective August 17, 2023, City entered into Professional Services Agreement Number F002672 with Geary, Shea, O’Donnell, Grattan & Mitchell, P.C. (“Agreement”) in the amount of $100,000 for legal representation in Vannucci, et al. v. County of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa, et al., United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Case Number 18-CV-01955-VC; and WHEREAS, on December 6, 2023, City entered into a First Amendment to the Agreement for the purpose of providing legal representation in Cressy, et al. v. California Department of Transportation, City of Santa Rosa, et al., United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Case Number C23-05201-WHO, a case that was dismissed on January 22, 2024; and WHEREAS, on February 13, 2024, by Resolution RES-2024-025, Council approved a Second Amendment to the Agreement adding $150,000 in compensation need for continued representation in Vannucci while the case was stayed pending the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, et al; and WHEREAS, at the time Council approved the Second Amendment to the Agreement, the City Attorney informed the Council that she would return to Council after the Supreme Court rules in Grants Pass with a request for approval to add additional compensation to the Agreement for representation of the City in Vannucci through trial; and WHEREAS, on August 30, 2024, a Third Amendment to the Agreement was executed adding $100,000 in compensation for continued legal representation in Vannucci; and WHEREAS, on November 19, 2024, by Resolution RES-2024-177, council approved the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement increasing compensation by $190,000 and appropriating funds in the amount of $290,000 from the general fund to cover compensation provided by the Third and Fourth Amendments for continued legal representation.
WHEREAS, a Fifth and Sixth Amendment have been executed adding compensation of a total of $100,000 for continued legal services; and WHEREAS, the services and terms of the Agreement have been reviewed, and the City Attorney’s Office recommends increasing the compensation amount under the Agreement to allow for continued legal services in Vannucci through implementation of the settlement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa approves the Seventh Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement Number F00267A with Geary, Shea, O’Donnell, Grattan & Mitchell, P.C. increasing compensation by $40,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $680,000, attached to this resolution as Exhibit A and made a part of herein, for continued legal representation as described above.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council delegates authority to the City Attorney to execute the agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council appropriates $70,000 from the general fund unassigned reserves to the City Attorney’s Office budget for professional services to provide funding added by the Sixth and Seventh Amendments for services in the Vannucci through implementation of the settlement agreement.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 10th day of March 2026.
AYES: (5) Vice Mayor Okrepkie, Council Members Alvarez, Bañuelos, MacDonald, Rogers NOES: (0)
ABSENT: (2) Mayor Stapp, Council Member Fleming
ABSTAIN: (0)
RECUSE: (0)
ATTEST: _________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________ Deputy City Clerk Vice Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________
City Attorney
Exhibit A - Seventh Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement Number F002672A with Geary, Shea, O’Donnell, Grattan & Mitchell, P.C.
Reso. No. RES-2026-025
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