HomeMy WebLinkAbout09E- City Attorney GRIGINAL
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
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From: Stephanie D. Easland Subject: Professional Services Agreement between the
Assistant City Attorney City of San Bernardino and the law firm of Mundell,
Odlum&Haws to represent the City of San Bernardino,
Dept: CITY ATTORNEY the City of San Bernardino Fire Department, and all
individual defendants in the case of San Bernardino
Date: April 27,2010 City Professional Firefighters, Local 891; Nathan
Lopez. v. City of San Bernardino, et al.
MCC Date: May 3,2010
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
On April 19, 2010, the Mayor and Common Council approved the retention of the law firm of Mundell,
Odlum&Haws to represent the City of San Bernardino,the City of San Bernardino Fire Department, and
individual defendants in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891; Nathan
Lopez. v. City of San Bernardino, et al.
Recommended motion:
That said resolution be adopted.
Signature
Contact person: Stephanie D. Easland Phone: 5355
Supporting data attached: Staff Report Ward:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount:
Source:
Finance:
Council Notes:
Agenda Item No. G
5-3-2010
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STAFF REPORT
Council Meeting Date: May 3.2010
TO: Mayor and Common Council
FROM: James F. Penman, City Attorney
DATE: April 27,2010
AGENDA ITEM: Professional Services Agreement between the City of San Bernardino
and the law firm of Mundell, Odlum & Haws to represent the City of
San Bernardino, San Bernardino Fire Department, and all individual
defendants in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters,
Local 891, Nathan Lopez v. City of San Bernardino, et al.
On April 19,20 10,the Mayor and Common Council ratified the hiring of Mundell,Odlum&
Haws to represent the City and San Bernardino Fire Department in the subject court action.
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 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,Odlum&Haws to represent the City,San Bernardino Fire Department,and all individual
defendants in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891, Nathan Lopez
v. City of San Bernardino, et al.
HEASLANDTim Depwmnt\SBCPFFLopezWopezStaftRpt.wpd
I RESOLUTION NO. COPY
2 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL
3 SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AND THE
LAW FIRM OF MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS IN THE CASE OF SAN BERNARDINO
4 CITY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 891, NA THAN LOPEZ v. CITY OF SAN
BERNARDINO,SANBERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT, et al.
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6 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
7 OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS:
8 SECTION 1. The Mayor of the City of San Bernardino is hereby authorized and directed
9 to execute on behalf of said City a Professional Services Agreement between the City of
10 San Bernardino and Mundell,Odlum&Haws for legal services,a copy of which is attached hereto
11 marked Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference as fully as though set forth at length.
12 SECTION 2. The authorization granted hereunder shall expire and be void and of no
13 further effect if the agreement is not executed by both parties and returned to the Office of the City
14 Clerk within sixty (60) days following the effective date of the resolution.
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FAEASLANDTim Depa ent'SBCPFFLopez\Lopmmo.4.23.I0.wpd 1
I RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL
2 SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AND THE
LAW FIRM OF MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS IN THE CASE OF SAN BERNARDINO
3 CITYPROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS,LOCAL 891 v.CITYOFSANBERNARDINO,SAN
BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT, et al.
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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
11 BRINKER
12 SHORETT
13 KELLEY
14 JOHNSON _
15 MCCAMMACK
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18 Rachel G. Clark, City Clerk
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20 The foregoing Resolution is hereby approved this_day of , 2010.
21
Patrick J. Morris, Mayor
22 City of San Bernardino
23 Approved as to form:
24 JAMES F. PENMAN,
City Attorney
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By:
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FAEASLANDIFim DepartrnenriSBCPFFLopeZ"pa.nw.4.23.I0.wpd 2
1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
2 SAN BERNARDINO CITY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS,LOCAL 891,
NATHAN LOPEZ v. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, et al.
3 United States District Court Case No. CV 10-01779 PSG (DTBx)
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1. The CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO (hereinafter "CITY") and the law firm of
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MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS (hereinafter"MO&H") are the parties to this Agreement.
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2. MO&H will be representing the following entities in this litigation: CITY OF
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SAN BERNARDINO, SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT, and ALL INDIVIDUAL
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DEFENDANTS. MO&H shall not represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY
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without prior written approval to do so from the CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO through the City
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Attorney's Office.
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3. MO&H shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below:
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Attorneys - $200.00 per hour; and,
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Law Clerks/Paralegals -$65.00 per hour.
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The amounts expended under this agreement for attorney's fees shall not exceed
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$25,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council.
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4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5'day of
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each succeeding month.
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5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging,
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mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement.
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MO&H may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent(4%)of fees in lieu
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of reimbursement for photocopying,telephone charges, and postage.
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6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and
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return),then MO&H shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees.
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7. MO&H shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other
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professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of defending the litigation. MO&H may,
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if it chooses,pay the fees and charges of such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on
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its periodic statement,or it may forward the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY
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FIEASLAND1Fim Depa met\SBCPFFLopu\PSA.EzhA.4.23.10.wpd 1 EXHIBIT "A"
I 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.Odlum ofMUNDELL,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 17. 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.
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F:\EASLAND\Fin Departmentl SBCPFFLopez tPSA.ExtL&4.23.I0.wpd 2 EXHIBIT "A"
1 19. MO&H shall maintain the following types of insurance with limits as shown:
2 a) Workers Compensation as required by the laws of the State of
3 California, including Employment Liability with $250,000 limits covering all
4 persons providing service on behalf of MO&H and all risks to such persons
5 under this Agreement. MO&H shall require its Workers' Compensation carver
6 to waive all rights of subrogation against the CITY and its officers and
7 employees and any others for whom services are being provided under this
8 Agreement.
9 b) Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance
10 coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned,
11 hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have at least a combined single
12 limit of$1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage.
13 c) Professional Liability Insurance with limits ofat least$1,000,000
14 per claim. In lieu of naming the CITY as an additional insured,the policy may
15 be endorsed as follows:
16 "Insurance coverage afforded by this policy shall also apply to the
liability assumed by the Insured under the Agreement with the CITY OF SAN
17 BERNARDINO for legal defense services,provided such liability results from
an error,omission or negligent act of the insured,its officers,employees,agents
18 or subcontractors. All other provisions of this policy are to remain unchanged."
19 MO&H shall furnish certificates of insurance and certified copies of all policies
20 and endorsements to the City Attorney's Office evidencing the insurance coverage above required
21 prior to the commencement of performance of services hereunder,which certificates shall provide
22 that such insurance shall not be terminated or expire without thirty(30)days written notice to the
23 City Attorney's Office, and shall maintain such insurance from the time MO&H commences
24 performance of services hereunder until the completion of such services.
25 All policies,with respect to the insurance coverage above required,except for the
26 Workers'Compensation insurance coverage and professional liability coverage,if applicable,shall
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F:tEASLANDtFim Department\SBCPFFLopez\PSA.ExhA.4.23.10.wpd 3 EXHIBIT "A"
1 obtain additional endorsements naming the CITY and all parties represented under this Agreement,
2 their employees, agents, volunteers and officers as additional named insured with respect to
3 liabilities arising out of the performance of services hereunder.
4 All policies required above are to be primary and non-contributing with any
5 insurance or self-insurance programs carried or administered by the CITY or other parties
6 represented under this Agreement.
7 20. All communications and billings to the CITY are to be directed as follows:
8 City Attorney's Office
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
9 300 North "D" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92418
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11 DATED: MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS
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By: James A. Odium
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v 15
DATED: CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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18 By: Patrick J. Morris, Mayor
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Approved as to form:
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JAMES F. PENMAN,
23 City Attorney
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25 By: CA I�h�G CL� CG �7
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