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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08- City Attorney ORIGINAL CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION From: JAMES F. PENMAN Subject: Professional Services Agreement between the City CITY ATTORNEY of San Bernardino and the law firm of Best, Best&Krieger to represent the City in the matter of Michael Billdt, Disability Retirement Application. Dept: CITY ATTORNEY Date: March 9, 2010 MCC Meeting: March 15,2010 Synopsis of Previous Council Action: 03/01/10- Mayor and Council approved the retention of Arlene Prater, Esq. of the Law Firm of Best, Best&Krieger to represent the City in the matter of Michael Billdt, Disability Retirement Application. Recommended motion: The Mayor and Common Council adopt the resolution. I Signature Contact person: Stephanie D. Easland Phone: 5355 Supporting data attached: Staff Report Ward: All FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: None Source: Finance: Committee Notes: Agenda Item No. 3-15-Ib FTASLANDTolice Depar ent\BilldtDisebRetApp.rca.wpd STAFF REPORT Council Meeting Date: March 15.2010 TO: Mayor and Common Council FROM: James F. Penman, City Attorney DATE: March 10,2010 AGENDA ITEM: Professional Services Agreement between the City of San Bernardino and the law firm of Best, Best & Krieger to represent the City in the matter of Michael Billdt, Disability Retirement Application On March 1, 2010, the Mayor and Common Council approved the hiring of Best, Best & Krieger to represent the City in the matter of Michael Billdt, Disability Retirement Application. 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 authorizedto execute said Professional Services Agreement on behalf ofthe 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 Best, Best & Krieger to represent the City in the matter of Michael Billdt, Disability Retirement Application. Attachment SDFJed[Major.StaRRpt] 1 RESOLUTION NO._ C (OPY 2 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL 3 SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEST,BEST&KRIEGERAND THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO IN THE MATTER OF MICHAEL BILLDT, DISABILITY RETIREMENT 4 APPLICATION. 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 Best,Best&Krieger 9 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. 1 l 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. 14 Q15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Q28 PEASLANDNolice Depa mentlBilldt.DisabilityRet.Rm.wpd 1 i I RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 2 SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEST,BEST&KRIEGER AND THE CITY OF SAN 3 BERNARDINO IN THE MATTER OF MICHAEL BILLDT, DISABILITY RETIREMENT APPLICATION. 4 5 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and 6 Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a meeting thereof, 7 held on the day of 2010, by the following vote, to wit: 8 COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 9 MARQUEZ — 10 DESJARDINS — II BRINKER 12 SHORETT 13 KELLEY 14 JOHNSON 15 MCCAMMACK 16 17 CITY CLERK 18 19 The foregoing Resolution is hereby approved this —day of , 2010. 20 21 Patrick J. Morris, Mayor 22 City of San Bernardino 23 Approved as to form: 24 JAMES F. PENMAN, City Attorney 25 26 B / y. a,k iSZ lC� 27 28 RIEASLAND\PoIice Depe ent\Billdt.DisabilityRet.Res.wpd 2 /may I PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ♦/ 2 In the Matter ojMICHAEL BILLDT, Disability Retirement Application 3 1. The CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO (hereinafter "CITY") and the law firm of 4 BEST, BEST &KRIEGER(hereinafter "BB&K") are the parties to this Agreement. 5 2. BB&K will be representing the CITY in all administrative and/or judicial 6 proceedings in regard to, or arising out of, the disability retirement application of Michael Billdt. 7 BB&K shall not represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY without prior written 8 approval to do so from the CITY through the City Attorney's Office. 9 3. BB&K shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below: 10 Attorneys-$250.00 per hour; and, 11 Associate Attorney- $725.00 per hour. 12 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorneys fees shall not exceed 13 $25,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council. 14 4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5'day of 15 each succeeding month. 16 5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging, 17 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement. 18 BB&K may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent(4%)of fees in lieu 19 of reimbursement for photocopying,telephone charges, and postage. 20 6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and 21 return),then BB&K shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees. 22 7. BB&K shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other 23 professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of representing the CITY in the disability 24 retirement application of Michael Billdt. BB&K may, if it chooses, pay the fees and charges of 25 such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on its periodic statement,or it may forward 26 the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY pay it directly. Consultants shall not bill 27 the CITY directly without prior approval of the CITY'S Finance Department. 28 /// FIEASIANDNoIiu Depa mt\ailldt.DisebRet.ProtSvcsAgr.wpd 1 "Exhibit "All 1 8. Status reports will be submitted to CITY through the City Attorney's Office 2 whenever any significant event occurs, and in any event at least quarterly. Information sufficient 3 to set reserves, including, without limitation, potential liability exposure and percentage of fault 4 shall be included. 5 9. Copies of all opinions,pleadings,discovery and motions shall be provided to the 6 City Attorney's Office which may reproduce same and provide copies to other parties or attorneys 7 in this, or other litigation. 8 10. Copies of any correspondence and other documents sent to any of the defendants 9 in this action shall also be provided to the CITY through the City Attorney's Office. 10 11. Any and all settlements shall require CITY approval. Request for settlement 11 authority shall be made through the City Attorney's Office which shall obtain the necessary CITY 12 approvals. 13 12. In the event the settlement value of the case appears to exceed$50,000,the City 14 Attorney's Office shall be notified immediately. 15 13. Only Arlene Prater of BEST, BEST & KRIEGER or other senior attorney 16 approved by the CITY shall try this case. 17 14. No client development costs are to be included in billings. 18 15. No continuing education expenses are to be included in billings. 19 16. Final billing shall be accompanied by copies of the Request for Dismissal, 20 Satisfaction of Judgment, Release and any other final documents. 21 17. Either party may terminate this contract at will. BB&K will continue to represent 22 the CITY on the terms and conditions in this Agreement until the case and file are transferred to 23 another attorney. 24 18. BB&K is an independent contractor as to the CITY. 25 19. BB&K shall maintain the following types of insurance with limits as shown: 26 a) Workers Compensation as required by the laws of the State of 27 California, including Employment Liability with $250,000 limits covering all 28 personsproviding service on behalf of BB&K and all risks to such persons under F:\EASLAND\Poliw Dep=mentlBilldt.Disa6Ret.Prof5vcsA-,.wpd 2 "Exhibit "A" 1 this Agreement. BB&K shall require its Workers Compensation carrierto waive 2 all rights of subrogation against the CITY and its officers and employees and any 3 others for whom services are being provided under this Agreement. 4 b) Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance 5 coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned, 6 hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have at least a combined single 7 limit of$1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage. 8 c) Professional Liability Insurance with limits of at least$1,000,000 9 per claim. In lieu of naming the CITY as an additional insured,the policy may 10 be endorsed as follows: 11 "Insurance coverage afforded by this policy shall also apply to the liability assumed by the Insured under the Agreement with the CITY OF SAN 12 BERNARDINO for legal defense services, provided such liability results from an error,omission or negligent act of the insured,its officers,employees,agents 13 or subcontractors. All other provisions of this policy are to remain unchanged." 14 BB&K shall furnish certificates of insurance and certified copies of all policies and 15 endorsements to the City Attorney's Office evidencing the insurance coverage above required prior 16 to the commencement of performance of services hereunder,which certificates shall provide that 17 such insurance shall not be terminated or expire without thirty(30)days written notice to the City 18 Attorney's Office,and shall maintain such insurance from the time BB&K commences performance 19 of services hereunder until the completion of such services. 20 All policies,with respect to the insurance coverage above required,except for the 21 Workers Compensation insurance coverage and professional liability coverage,if applicable,shall 22 obtain additional endorsements naming the CITY and all parties represented under this Agreement, 23 their employees, agents, volunteers and officers as additional named insured with respect to 24 liabilities arising out of the performance of services hereunder. 25 All policies required above are to be primary and non-contributing with any 26 insurance or self-insurance programs carried or administered by the CITY or other parties 27 represented under this Agreement. ` 28 /// FIEASLANDToliceDepa ment\Billdl.DisabRet.ProfSvesA&cwpd 3 "Exhibit"A" 1 20. All communications and billings to the CITY are to be directed as follows: Q2 City Attorney's Office CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 3 300 North "D" Street San Bernardino, CA 92418 4 DATED: March 2010 BEST, BEST&KRIEGER 5 6 7 By: Arlene Prater 8 9 DATED: March 2010 CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 10 11 By: Patrick J. Morris, Mayor 12 13 14 15 16 Approved as to form: 17 JAMES F. PENMAN, City Attorney 18 19 By: 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 F:EAStANDWolice Department\Billdt.DisabRet.ProfSvcsAgr.wpd 4 "Exhibit "A" 1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2 In the Matter of MICHAEL BILLDT, Disability Retirement Application 3 1. The CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO (hereinafter "CITY") and the law firm of 4 BEST,BEST&KRIEGER(hereinafter "BB&K") are the parties to this Agreement. 5 2. BB&K will be representing the CITY in all administrative and/or judicial 6 proceedings in regard to, or arising out of,the disability retirement application of Michael Billdt. 7 BB&K shall not represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY without prior written 8 approval to do so from the CITY through the City Attorney's Office. 9 3. BB&K shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below: 10 Attorneys - $250.00 per hour; and, 11 Associate Attorney- $225.00 per hour. 12 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorneys fees shall not exceed 13 $25,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council. O 14 4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5'day of 15 each succeeding month. 16 5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging, 17 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement. 18 BB&K may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of fees in lieu 19 of reimbursement for photocopying,telephone charges, and postage. 20 6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and 21 return),then BB&K shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees. 22 7. BB&K shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other 23 professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of representing the CITY in the disability 24 retirement application of Michael Billdt. BB&K may, if it chooses, pay the fees and charges of 25 such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on its periodic statement,or it may forward 26 the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY pay it directly. Consultants shall not bill 27 the CITY directly without prior approval of the CITY'S Finance Department. 28 /// F'TASLANDNolice Department\Billdt.DisabRet.ProfSvcsAgr wpd I 1 8. Status reports will be submitted to CITY through the City Attorney's Office 2 whenever any significant event occurs,and in any event at least quarterly. Information sufficient 3 to set reserves, including, without limitation, potential liability exposure and percentage of fault 4 shall be included. 5 9. Copies of all opinions,pleadings,discovery and motions shall be provided to the 6 City Attorney's Office which may reproduce same and provide copies to other parties or attorneys 7 in this, or other litigation. 8 10. Copies of any correspondence and other documents sent to any of the defendants 9 in this action shall also be provided to the CITY through the City Attorney's Office. 10 11. Any and all settlements shall require CITY approval. Request for settlement 11 authority shall be made through the City Attorney's Office which shall obtain the necessary CITY 12 approvals. 13 12. In the event the settlement value of the case appears to exceed$50,000, the City 14 Attorney's Office shall be notified immediately. 15 13. Only Arlene Prater of BEST, BEST & KRIEGER or other senior attorney 16 approved by the CITY shall try this case. 17 14. No client development costs are to be included in billings. 18 15. No continuing education expenses are to be included in billings. 19 16. Final billing shall be accompanied by copies of the Request for Dismissal, 20 Satisfaction of Judgment, Release and any other final documents. 21 17. Either party may terminate this contract at will. BB&K will continue to represent 22 the CITY on the terms and conditions in this Agreement until the case and file are transferred to 23 another attorney. 24 18. BB&K is an independent contractor as to the CITY. 25 19. BB&K shall maintain the following types of insurance with limits as shown: 26 a) Workers Compensation as required by the laws of the State of 27 California, including Employment Liability with $250,000 limits covering all 2 a persons providing service on behalf of BB&K and all risks to such persons under FAEASLANDWolice Depa mendBilld t.DisabRet.ProfSvcsAgr.wpd 2 1 this Agreement. BB&K shall require its Workers Compensation carrier to waive 2 all rights of subrogation against the CITY and its officers and employees and any 3 others for whom services are being provided under this Agreement. 4 b) Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance 5 coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned, 6 hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have at least a combined single 7 limit of$1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage. 8 c) Professional Liability Insurance with limits of at least$1,000,000 9 per claim. In lieu of naming the CITY as an additional insured,the policy may 10 be endorsed as follows: 11 "Insurance coverage afforded by this policy shall also apply to the liability assumed by the Insured under the Agreement with the CITY OF SAN 12 BERNARDINO for legal defense services,provided such liability results from an error,omission or negligent act of the insured,its officers,employees,agents 13 or subcontractors. All other provisions of this policy are to remain unchanged." 14 BB&K shall furnish certificates of insurance and certified copies ofall policies and 15 endorsements to the City Attorney's Office evidencing the insurance coverage above required prior 16 to the commencement of performance of services hereunder,which certificates shall provide that 17 such insurance shall not be terminated or expire without thirty(30)days written notice to the City 18 Attorney's Office,and shall maintain such insurance from the time BB&K commences performance 19 of services hereunder until the completion of such services. 20 All policies,with respect to the insurance coverage above required,except for the 21 Workers Compensation insurance coverage and professional liability coverage,if applicable,shall 22 obtain additional endorsements naming the CITY and all parties represented under this Agreement, 23 their employees, agents, volunteers and officers as additional named insured with respect to 24 liabilities arising out of the performance of services hereunder. 25 All policies required above are to be primary and non-contributing with any 26 insurance or self-insurance programs carried or administered by the CITY or other parties 27 represented under this Agreement. 28 F TASLANDWolicc Departmentt Btlldt.DisabRet.ProfSvcsAgr..wpd 3 1 20. All communications and billings to the CITY are to be directed as follows: 2 City Attorney's Office CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 3 300 North "D" Street San Bernardino, CA 92418 4 DATED: March_ 2010 BEST, BEST & KRIEGER 5 6 7 By: Arlene Prater 8 9 DATED: March 2010 CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 10 11 By: Patrick J. Morris, Mayor 12 13 w 14 (~✓7 15 16 Approved as to form: 17 JAMES F. PENMAN, City Attorney 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ETASLAND\Police Department\BiNtDisabRet.ProtSvcsAgr.%pd 4