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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From: JAMES F. PENMAN
CITY ATTORNEY
Subject: Professional Services Agreement between the City
of San Bernardino and the law firm of Mundell, Odium &
Haws to represent the City of San Bernardino and Michael
Billdt, individually and as Chief of Police for the San
Bernardino Police Department in Steve Lowes v. Michael
Billdt, et al.
Dept: CITY ATTORNEY
Date: December 9, 2009
MCC Meeting: December 21, 2009
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
12/07/09-
Mayor and Council approved the hiring of Mundell, Odium & Haws to represent the
City of San Bernardino and Michael Billdt, individually and as Chief of Police for the
San Bernardino Police Department in the subject court action.
Recommended motion:
That said resolution be adopted.
~~
Contact person:
Steohanie D. Easland
Phone:
5355
Supporting data attached: Staff Report
Ward:
All
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount:
None
Source:
Finance:
Committee Notes:
Agenda Item No. q
/2..-~/-()q
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STAFF REPORT
Council Meeting Date: December 21. 2009
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
AGENDA ITEM:
Mayor and Common Council
James F. Penman, City Attorney
December 9, 2009
Professional Services Agreement between the City of San Bernardino
and the law firm of Mundell, OdIum & Haws to represent the City of
San Bernardino and Michael BiIIdt, individually and as Chief of Police
for the San Bernardino Police Department in the case of Steve Lowes v.
Michael Billdt, et al.
On December 7, 2009, the above-referenced court action was served on the City. On
December 7, 2009, the Mayor and Common Council approved the hiring of Mundell, Odium &
Haws to represent the City and Michael Billdt in the subject court action. Attached hereto is the
Professional Services Agreement which reflects. such approval, including a ceiling of $25,000 on
attorney fees and the requirement of regular status reports.
It is requested by the City Attorney that the floor motion be adopted so that the Mayor is
authorized to execute said Professional Services Agreement on behalf of Michael Billdt and the City
of San Bernardino.
That the Mayor of the City of San Bernardino is hereby authorized and directed to execute
on behalf of the City of San Bernardino the Professional Services Agreement with the law firm of
Mundell, Odium & Haws to represent the City, et al. in the case of Lowes v. Michael Billdt, et al.
Attachment
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RESOLUTION NO.
2 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL
3 SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS AND THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO IN THE CASE OF STEVE LOWES v, MICHAEL BILLDT, et al.
4
5 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
6 OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS:
7 SECTION 1. The Mayor of the City of San Bernardino is hereby authorized and directed
8 to execute on behalf of said City a Professional Services Agreement between Mundell, Odium &
9 Haws and the City of San Bernardino for legal services, a copy of which is attached hereto marked
10 Exhibit" A" and incorporated herein by reference as fully as though set forth at length,
11 SECTION 2. The authorization granted hereunder shall expire and be void and of no
12 further effect if the agreement is not executed by both parties and returned to the Office of the City
13 Clerk within sixty (60) days following the effective date of the resolution.
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I RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL
2 SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS AND THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO IN THE CASE OF STEVE LOWES v. MICHAEL BILLDT, et al.
3
4 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and
5 Common Council ofthe City of San Bernardino at a
meeting thereof,
6 held on the day of
7 COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES
8 ESTRADA
9 BAXTER
10 BRINKER
II SHORETT
12 KELLEY
13 JOHNSON
14 MCCAMMACK
15
16
17
, 2009, by the following vote, to wit:
NAYS
ABSTAIN ABSENT
CITY CLERK
18
19
20
21
The foregoing Resolution is hereby approved this
day of
,2009,
Patrick J, Morris, Mayor
City of San Bernardino
22 Approved as to form:
23 JAMES F, PENMAN,
City Attorney
24 /
25 BY:#~(,~
26
27
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Exhibit "A"
1
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
STEVE LOWES v. MICHAEL BILLDT, et aL
United States District Court Case No. EDCV09-2215 V AP (OPx)
2
3
4
1.
The CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO (hereinafter "CITY") and the law firm of
5 MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS (hereinafter "MO&H") are the parties to this Agreement.
6
~
MO&H will be representing the following entities and persons in the case of Steve
7 Lowes 1'. Michael Billdt, et aI., United States District Court Case No, EDCV09-2215 V AP (OPx):
8 CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO and MICHAEL BILLDT, individually and as Chief of Police for
9 the San Bernardino Police Department. MO&H shall not represent any client in any type of claim
10 against th~ CITY without prior written approval to do so from the CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
11 through the City Attorney's Office.
12
3.
MO&H shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below:
13 Attorneys - $200.00 per hour; and,
14 Law Clerks/Paralegals - $65,00 per hour;
15 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorneys fees shall not exceed
16 $25,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council.
17
4.
Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5th day of
18 each succeeding month,
19
5.
The actual cost for filing fees, telephone charges, photocopying, postage, lodging,
20 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement.
21 MO&H may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of fees in lieu
22 of reimbursement for photocopying, telephone charges, and postage,
23
6.
If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g" from office to court and
24 return), then MO&H shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees,
25
7.
MO&H shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other
26 professionals (not including court reporters) for purposes of defending the litigation, MO&H may,
27 if it chooses, pay the fees and charges of such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on
28 its periodic statement, or it may forward the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY
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1
Exhibit "A"
1 pay it directly. Consultants shall not bill the CITY directly without prior approval of the CITY'S
2 Finance Department.
3 8. Status reports will be submitted to CITY through the City Attorney's Office
4 whenever any significant event occurs, and in any event at least quarterly, Information sufficient
5 to set reserves, including, without limitation, potential liability exposure and percentage of fault
6 shall be included,
7 9. Copies of all opinions, pleadings, discovery and motions shall be provided to the
8 City Attorney's Office which may reproduce same and provide copies to other parties or attorneys
9 in this. or other litigation,
10 10, Copies of any correspondence and other documents sent to any of the defendants
11 in this action shall also be provided to the CITY through the City Attorney's Office,
12 11, Any and all settlements shall require CITY approval. Request for settlement
13 authority shall be made through the City Attorney's Office which shall obtain the necessary CITY
14 approvals.
15 12, In the event the settlement value of the case appears to exceed $50,000, the City
16 Attorney's Office shall be notified immediately.
17 13, Only James A. OdIum of MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS or other senior attorney
18 approved by the CITY shall try this case.
19 14, No client development costs are to be included in billings.
20 15, No continuing education expenses are to be included in billings.
21 16, Final billing shall be accompanied by copies of the Request for Dismissal,
22 Satisfaction of Judgment, Release and any other final documents,
23 I 7. Either party may terminate this contract at will. MO&H will continue to represent
24 the CITY on the terms and conditions in this Agreement until the case and file are transferred to
25 another attorney.
26 18, MO&H is an independent contractor as to the CITY,
27 19, MO&H shall maintain the following types of insurance with limits as shown:
28 a) Workers Compensation as required by the laws of the State of
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Exhibit "A"
1
California, including Employment Liability with $250,000 limits covering all
persons providing service on behalf of MO&H and all risks to such persons
under this Agreement. MO&H shall require its Workers Compensation carrier
2
3
5
to waive all rights of subrogation against the CITY and its officers and
cmployees and any others for whom services are being provided under this
4
6
Agreement.
7
b)
Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance
9
coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned,
hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have at least a combined single
8
10
limit of$I,OOO,OOO for bodily injury and property damage,
11
c)
Professional Liability Insurance with limits of at least $1 ,000,000
12 per claim, In lieu of naming the CITY as an additional insured, the policy may
13 be endorsed as follows:
14 "Insurance coverage afforded by this policy shall also apply to the
liability assumed by the Insured under the Agreement with the CITY OF SAN
15 BERNARDINO for legal defense services, provided such liability results from
an error, omission or negligent act of the insured, its officers, employees, agents
16 or subcontractors. All other provisions of this policy are to remain unchanged,"
1 7 MO&H shall furnish certificates of insurance and certified copies of all policies
18 and endorsements to the City Attorney's Office evidencing the insurance coverage above required
19 prior to the commencement of performance of services hereunder, which certificates shall provide
20 that such insurance shall not be terminated or expire without thirty (30) days written notice to the
21 City Attorney's Office, and shall maintain such insurance from the time MO&H commences
22 performance of services hereunder until the completion of such services,
23 All policies, with respect to the insurance coverage above required, except for the
2 4 Workers Compensation insurance coverage and professional liability coverage, if applicable, shall
25 obtain additional endorsements naming the CITY and all parties represented underthis Agreement,
26 . their employees, agents, volunteers and officers as additional named insured with respect to
27 liabilities arising out of the performance of services hereunder.
28 11/
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1 All policies required above are to be primary and non-contributing with any
2 insurance or self-insurance programs carried or administered by the CITY or other parties
3 represented under this Agreement.
4
20,
All communications and billings to the CITY are to be directed as follows:
5
City Attorney's Office
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
300 North "D" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92418
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DATED: December
MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS
.2009
9
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By: James A, Odium
11
12
DATED: December _,2009
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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By: Patrick J, Morris, Mayor
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19 Approved as to form:
20 JAMES F, PENMAN,
City Attorney
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BY:~U
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