Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout30-City Attorney 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 Mundell, Odlum & Haws to represent the City of San Bernardino, and City of San Bernardino Fire Department in Richard "Scott"Moss, et al. v. City of San Bernardino; San Bernardino Fire Department Dept: CITY ATTORNEY Date: August 28, 2007 MCC Meeting: September 4,2007 Synopsis of Previous Council Action: 08/20/07- Mayor and Council ratified 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: The Mayor and Common Council adopt the resolution. Signature Contact person: Stephanie D. Easland Phone: 5355 Supporr.igg data attached: Staff Report Ward: All F1TNDING REQUIREMENT'S: Amount: None Source: Finance: ------------------ Committee Notes: Agenda Item No. SDE/ed[Moss.rea.wpd] STAFF REPORT Council Meeting Date: September 4, 2007 TO: Mayor and Common Council FROM: James F. Penman, City Attorney DATE: August 28, 2007 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 and San Bernardino Fire Department in the case of Richard "Scott"Moss, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al. On August 15, 2007, the above-referenced court action was served on the City. On August 20, 2007,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. Attached hereto is the Professional Services Agreement which reflects such approval, including a ceiling of $20,000 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 said Professional Services Agreement on behalf of the City of San Bernardino. That the City Manager 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, et al. in the case of Richard "Scott"Moss, et al. v. City of San Bernardino, et al. Attachment SDE/ed[Major.StaffRpt] 1 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 AND SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE CASE 4 OF RICHARD "SCOTT" MOSS, et al. v. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, et al. 5 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY 6 OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS: 7 SECTION 1. The City Manager of the City of San Bernardino is hereby authorized and 8 directed to execute on behalf of said City a Professional Services Agreement between Mundell, 9 Odlum & Haws and the City of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Fire Department for legal 10 services, a copy of which is attached hereto marked Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by 11 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 14 City Clerk within sixty (60) days following the effective date of the resolution. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SDE/ed[Moss.resompd 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 MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS AND THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AND SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE CASE 3 OF RICHARD "SCOTT" MOSS, et al. v. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, et al. 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 7 thereof, held on the day of , 2007, by the following vote, to 8 wit: 9 COUNCIL MEMBERS : AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 10 ESTRADA 11 BAXTER 12 BRINKER 13 DERRY 14 KELLEY ! 'I 15 JOHNSON 16 MCCAMMACK I 17 18 CITY CLERK 19 20 21 2007. The foregoing Resolution is hereby approved this day of , 22 23 Patrick J. Morris, Mayor 24 City of San Bernardino Approved as to form: 25 JAMES F. PENMAN, 26 City Attorney 27 28 By: SDE/e [ oss.reso.wpd 2 1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2 RICHARD "SCOTT"MOSS, et al. v. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, et al. 3 United States District Court Case No. ED CV 07-01027 SGL (Opx) 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 2. MO&H will be representing the following entities in this litigation: CITY OF 7 SAN BERNARDINO and SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT. MO&H shall not 8 represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY without prior written approval to do so 9 from the CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO through the City Attorney's Office. 10 3. MO&H shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below: 11 Attorneys - $200.00 per hour; and, 12 Law Clerks/Paralegals - $65.00 per hour. 13 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorney's fees shall not exceed 14 $20,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council. 15 4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5"day of 16 each succeeding month. 17 5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging, 18 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement. 19 MO&H may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent(4%) of fees in lieu 20 of reimbursement for photocopying, telephone charges, and postage. 21 6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and 22 return), then MO&H shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees. 23 7. MO&H shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other 24 professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of defending the litigation. MO&H may, 25 if it chooses,pay the fees and charges of such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on 26 its periodic statement, or it may forward the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY 27 28 /// Exhibit "A" SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 1 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.Odlum 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 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. 27 28 /// Exhibit "A" SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 2 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 carrier 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 of at 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 27 28 /// Exhibit "A" SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 3 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 10 San Bernardino, CA 92418 11 DATED: MUNDELL, ODLUM &HAWS 12 13 By: James A. Odlum I 14 15 DATED: CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 16 17 18 By: Fred Wilson, City Manager 19 20 21 Approved as to form: 22 JAMES F. PENMAN, 23 City Attorney 24 By. 25 26 27 28 Exhibit "A" SDE/ed[Moss.ProtSvcsAgr] 4 1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2 RICHARD "SCOTT"MOSS, et al. v. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, et al. 3 United States District Court Case No. ED CV 07-01027 SGL (Opx) 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 2. MO&H will be representing the following entities in this litigation: CITY OF 7 SAN BERNARDINO and SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT. MO&H shall not 8 represent any client in any type of claim against the CITY without prior written approval to do so 9 from the CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO through the City Attorney's Office. 10 3. MO&H shall be paid at the hourly rates set forth below: 11 Attorneys - $200.00 per hour; and, 12 Law Clerks/Paralegals - $65.00 per hour. 13 The amounts expended under this agreement for attorney's fees shall not exceed 1 14 $20,000 without further approval of the Mayor and Common Council. 15 4. Bills shall be submitted at least on a monthly basis and no later than the 5"day of 16 each succeeding month. 17 5. The actual cost for filing fees,telephone charges,photocopying,postage,lodging, 18 mileage and related travel costs shall be itemized when submitted to the CITY for reimbursement. 19 MO&H may include a single charge in an amount not to exceed four percent(4%) of fees in lieu 20 of reimbursement for photocopying, telephone charges, and postage. 21 6. If attorney's fees are charged "portal to portal" (e.g., from office to court and 22 return), then MO&H shall not be entitled to reimbursement for mileage and parking fees. 23 7. MO&H shall obtain approval from the CITY to retain expert consultants and other 24 professionals(not including court reporters)for purposes of defending the litigation. MO&H may, 25 if it chooses,pay the fees and charges of such consultants and seek reimbursement from CITY on 26 its periodic statement,or it may forward the consultant's bill to CITY with a request that the CITY 27 28 SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 1 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 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. 27 28 SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 2 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 carrier 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 of at 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 27 28 SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 3 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 to San Bernardino, CA 92418 11 DATED: MUNDELL, ODLUM & HAWS 12 13 By: James A. Odlum 14 15 DATED: CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 16 17 18 By: Fred Wilson, City Manager 19 20 21 Approved as to form: 22 JAMES F. PENMAN, 23 City Attorney 24 Q 25 By: 26 27 28 SDE/ed[Moss.ProfSvcsAgr] 4