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HomeMy WebLinkAbout33-City Attorney CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION ORIGINAL From: JAMES F. PENMAN Subject: Professional Services Agreement between the City CITY ATTORNEY of San Bernardino and the law firm of Mundell, Odlum & Haws to represent the City in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters,Local 891, v. City of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire Department, San Bernardino Superior Court, Case No. 1007709. Dept: CITY ATTORNEY • Date: June 16, 2010 MCC Meeting: June 21, 2010 Synopsis of Previous Council Action: 6/15/2010 Mayor and Council approved the hiring of Mundell, Odlum&Haws to represent the City of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire Department in the subject court action. Recommended motion: That said resolution be adopted. Signature Contact person: Diane Roth Phone: 5355 Supporting data attached: Staff Report Ward: All FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: None Source: Finance: Committee Notes: 0/ Agenda Item No. 3� STAFF REPORT Council Meeting Date: June 2L 2010 TO: Mayor and Common Council FROM: James F.Penman, City Attorney DATE: June 16, 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 in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters,Local 891 v.City of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire Department,San Bernardino County Superior Court,Case No.1007709. The Mayor and Common Council approved the law firm of Mundell, Odlum & Haws to represent the City in the above-referenced litigation. 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 City Manager is authorized to execute the Professional Services Agreement on behalf of the City of San Bernardino. Attachment 1 RESOLUTION NO. [PY2 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE COF 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 v.CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO,SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMEN4'SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, 5 CASE NO. 1007709. 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 in the case of San Bernardino City 11 Professional Firefighters, Local 891 v. City of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire 12 Department, San Bernardino County Superior Court,Case No. 1007709,a copy of which is attached 13 hereto marked Exhibit"A"and incorporated herein by reference as fully as though set forth at length. 14 SECTION 2. The authorization granted hereunder shall expire and be void and of no further 15 effect if the agreement is not executed by both parties and returned to the Office of the City Clerk 16 within sixty (60) days following the effective date of the resolution. 17 /// 18 /// 19 /// 20 /// 21 /// 22 /// 23 /// 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 1 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 2 SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AND THE 3 LAW FIRM OF MUNDELL ODLUM & HAWS IN THE CASE OF SAN BERNARDINO CITY PROFESSIONAL BERNARDINO FIRE DE ARTMEN�AN LOCAL BERNARRDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, 4 BERNARDINO FI CASE NO. 1007709. 5 6 7 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and 8 Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a meeting thereof, held 9 on the day of , 2010,by the following vote, to wit: 10 COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 11 MARQUEZ 12 DESJARDINS 13 BRINKER 14 SHORETT 15 KELLEY 16 JOHNSON 17 MCCAMMACK 18 19 20 Rachel G. Clark, City Clerk 21 The foregoing Resolution is hereby approved this day of , 2010. 22 23 Patrick J. Morris, Mayor City of San Bernardino 24 Approved as to form: 25 JAMES F. PE MAN, 26 City Attorne," 27 28 By: 41 1 1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2 MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS 3 San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891 v. 4 San Berna Bernardino County Superior Court,t, Case No. 0 09 5 1. The CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO (hereinafter "CITY") and the law firm of 6 MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS (hereinafter "MO&H") are the parties to this Agreement. 7 2. MO&H will be representing the City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino 8 Fire Department in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891 v. City 9 of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire Department, San Bernardino County Superior Court, 10 Case No. 1007709. MO&H shall not represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY 11 without prior written approval to do so from the CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO through the City 12 Attorney's Office. 13 3. MO&H shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below: 14 Attorneys - $200.00 per hour; and, 15 Law Clerks/Paralegals - $65.00 per hour. 16 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorneys fees shall not exceed 17 $25,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council. 18 4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5th day of 19 each succeeding month. 2 0 5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging, 21 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement. 2 2 MO&H may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of fees in lieu 2 3 of reimbursement for photocopying, telephone charges, and postage. 2 4 6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and 2 5 return), then MO&H shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees. 2 6 7. MO&H shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other 2 7 professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of defending the litigation. MO&H may, 2 8 if it chooses,pay the fees and charges of such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on 1 Exhibit "A" • 1 its periodic statement,or it may forward the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY 2 pay it directly. Consultants shall not bill the CITY directly without prior approval of the CITY'S 3 Finance Department. 4 8. Status reports will be submitted to CITY through the City Attorney's Office 5 whenever any significant event occurs, and in any event at least quarterly. Information sufficient 6 to set reserves, including, without limitation, potential liability exposure and percentage of fault 7 shall be included. 8 9. Copies of all opinions,pleadings, discovery and motions shall be provided to the 9 City Attorney's Office which may reproduce same and provide copies to other parties or attorneys 10 in this, or other litigation. 11 10. Copies of any correspondence and other documents sent to any of the defendants 12 in this action shall also be provided to the CITY through the City Attorney's Office. 13 11. Any and all settlements shall require CITY approval. Request for settlement 14 authority shall be made through the City Attorney's Office which shall obtain the necessary CITY 15 approvals. 16 12. In the event the settlement value of the case appears to exceed$50,000,the City 17 Attorney's Office shall be notified immediately. 18 13. Only James A.Odium of MUNDELL,ODLUM&HAWS or other senior attorney 19 approved by the CITY shall try this case. 2 0 14. No client development costs are to be included in billings. 21 15. No continuing education expenses are to be included in billings. 22 16. Final billing shall be accompanied by copies of the Request for Dismissal, 23 Satisfaction of Judgment, Release and any other final documents. 2 4 17. Either party may terminate this contract at will. MO&H will continue to represent 2 5 the CITY on the terms and conditions in this Agreement until the case and file are transferred to 2 6 another attorney. 2 7 18. MO&H is an independent contractor as to the CITY. 2 8 19. MO&H shall maintain the following types of insurance with limits as shown: 2 1 a) Workers Compensation as required by the laws of the State of 2 California, including Employment Liability with $250,000 limits covering all 3 persons providing service on behalf of MO&H and all risks to such persons 4 under this Agreement. MO&H shall require its Workers Compensation carrier 5 to waive all rights of subrogation against the CITY and its officers and 6 employees and any others for whom services are being provided under this 7 Agreement. 8 b) Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance 9 coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned, 10 hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have at least a combined single 11 limit of$1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage. 12 c) Professional Liability Insurance with limits of at least$1,000,000 13 per claim. In lieu of naming the CITY as an additional insured,the policy may 14 be endorsed as follows: 15 "Insurance coverage afforded by this policy shall also apply to the liability assumed by the Insured under the Agreement with the CITY OF SAN 16 BERNARDINO for legal defense services,provided such liability results from an error,omission or negligent act of the insured,its officers,employees,agents 17 or subcontractors. All other provisions of this policy are to remain unchanged." 18 MO&H shall furnish certificates of insurance and certified copies of all policies 19 and endorsements to the City Attorney's Office evidencing the insurance coverage above required 20 prior to the commencement of performance of services hereunder,which certificates shall provide 21 that such insurance shall not be terminated or expire without thirty (30) days written notice to the 22 City Attorney's Office, and shall maintain such insurance from the time MO&H commences 23 performance of services hereunder until the completion of such services. 24 All policies,with respect to the insurance coverage above required,except for the 25 Workers Compensation insurance coverage and professional liability coverage,if applicable,shall 26 obtain additional endorsements naming the CITY and all parties represented under this Agreement, 27 their employees, agents, volunteers and officers as additional named insured with respect to 28 liabilities arising out of the performance of services hereunder. 3 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 6 300 North "D" Street San Bernardino, CA 92418 7 8 DATED: , 2010 MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS 9 10 By: James A. Odium 11 12 DATED: , 2010 CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 13 14 15 By: Patrick J. Morris, Mayor 16 17 18 19 Approved as to form: 2 0 JAMES F. PENMAN, City Attorney 21 22 By: 23 24 25 26 27 28 4 1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2 MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS 3 San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891 v. City Berna Bernardino County Superior Court,tCase No.Department 4 San 5 1. The CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO (hereinafter "CITY") and the law firm of 6 MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS (hereinafter "MO&H") are the parties to this Agreement. 7 2. MO&H will be representing the City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino 8 Fire Department in the case of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891 v. City 9 of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire Department, San Bernardino County Superior Court, 10 Case No. 1007709. MO&H shall not represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY 11 without prior written approval to do so from the CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO through the City 12 Attorney's Office. 13 3. MO&H shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below: 14 Attorneys - $200.00 per hour; and, 15 Law Clerks/Paralegals - $65.00 per hour. 16 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorneys fees shall not exceed 17 $25,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council. 18 4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5th day of 19 each succeeding month. 2 0 5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging, 21 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement. 2 2 MO&H may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of fees in lieu 2 3 of reimbursement for photocopying, telephone charges, and postage. 2 4 6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and 2 5 return), then MO&H shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees. 2 6 7. MO&H shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other 2 7 professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of defending the litigation. MO&H may, 2 8 if it chooses,pay the fees and charges of such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on 1 1 its periodic statement,or it may forward the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY 2 pay it directly. Consultants shall not bill the CITY directly without prior approval of the CITY'S 3 Finance Department. 4 8. Status reports will be submitted to CITY through the City Attorney's Office 5 whenever any significant event occurs, and in any event at least quarterly. Information sufficient 6 to set reserves, including, without limitation, potential liability exposure and percentage of fault 7 shall be included. 8 9. Copies of all opinions,pleadings, discovery and motions shall be provided to the 9 City Attorney's Office which may reproduce same and provide copies to other parties or attorneys 10 in this, or other litigation. 11 10. Copies of any correspondence and other documents sent to any of the defendants 12 in this action shall also be provided to the CITY through the City Attorney's Office. 13 11. Any and all settlements shall require CITY approval. Request for settlement 14 authority shall be made through the City Attorney's Office which shall obtain the necessary CITY 15 approvals. 16 12. In the event the settlement value of the case appears to exceed$50,000, the City 17 Attorney's Office shall be notified immediately. 18 13. Only James A.Odium of MUNDELL,ODLUM&HAWS or other senior attorney 19 approved by the CITY shall try this case. 2 0 14. No client development costs are to be included in billings. 21 15. No continuing education expenses are to be included in billings. 2 2 16. Final billing shall be accompanied by copies of the Request for Dismissal, 2 3 Satisfaction of Judgment, Release and any other final documents. 2 4 17. Either party may terminate this contract at will. MO&H will continue to represent 2 5 the CITY on the terms and conditions in this Agreement until the case and file are transferred to 2 6 another attorney. 27 18. MO&H is an independent contractor as to the CITY. 2 8 19. MO&H shall maintain the following types of insurance with limits as shown: 2 1 a) Workers Compensation as required by the laws of the State of 2 California, including Employment Liability with $250,000 limits covering all 3 persons providing service on behalf of MO&H and all risks to such persons 4 under this Agreement. MO&H shall require its Workers Compensation carrier 5 to waive all rights of subrogation against the CITY and its officers and 6 employees and any others for whom services are being provided under this 7 Agreement. 8 b) Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance 9 coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile coverage for owned, 10 hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall have at least a combined single 11 limit of$1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage. 12 c) Professional Liability Insurance with limits of at least$1,000,000 13 per claim. In lieu of naming the CITY as an additional insured, the policy may 14 be endorsed as follows: 15 "Insurance coverage afforded by this policy shall also apply to the liability assumed by the Insured under the Agreement with the CITY OF SAN 16 BERNARDINO for legal defense services,provided such liability results from an error,omission or negligent act of the insured,its officers,employees,agents 17 or subcontractors. All other provisions of this policy are to remain unchanged." 18 MO&H shall furnish certificates of insurance and certified copies of all policies 19 and endorsements to the City Attorney's Office evidencing the insurance coverage above required 2 0 prior to the commencement of performance of services hereunder,which certificates shall provide 21 that such insurance shall not be terminated or expire without thirty(30) days written notice to the 2 2 City Attorney's Office, and shall maintain such insurance from the time MO&H commences 2 3 performance of services hereunder until the completion of such services. 2 4 All policies,with respect to the insurance coverage above required,except for the 2 5 Workers Compensation insurance coverage and professional liability coverage,if applicable,shall 2 6 obtain additional endorsements naming the CITY and all parties represented under this Agreement, 2 7 their employees, agents, volunteers and officers as additional named insured with respect to 2 8 liabilities arising out of the performance of services hereunder. 3 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 6 300 North "D" Street San Bernardino, CA 92418 7 8 DATED: , 2010 MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS 9 10 By: James A. Odlum 11 12 DATED: , 2010 CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 13 14 15 By: Patrick J. Morris, Mayor 16 17 18 19 Approved as to form: 2 0 JAMES F. PENMAN, City Attorne 21 22 By: 23 24 25 26 27 28 4