Report Prepared by: Stephanie R. Dietz, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of the Second Amendment to the Agreement for Legal Services with Lozano Smith, LLP, in the Additional Amount of $60,000 and the Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $150,000
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the Second Amendment to the Agreement for legal services with Lozano Smith, LLP, in the additional amount of $60,000 and the total not-to-exceed amount of $150,000.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Second Amendment to an agreement for legal services with Lozano Smith, LLP in the additional amount of $60,000; and,
B. Approving the reduction of $60,000 in Fund 672-Support Services Professional Services expense, transferring to the General Fund and appropriating the same in the City Attorney’s Professional Services account line; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than as recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
FY 2020/2021 City Council Priorities
DISCUSSION
In December 2018, the City entered into an Agreement for legal services with the Law Firm of Lozano Smith, LLP in the amount of $30,000 for specialized work on personnel related matters pursuant to the City Manager’s contract authority.
In November 4, 2019, Council approved the First Amendment to the Agreement for additional funding in the amount of $60,000 for added legal work on personnel related matters.
The City desires to amend the agreement a second time for additional compensation of $60,000 in connection with said services, bringing the total not-to-exceed contracted amount to $150,000.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available within the current operations budget of the Personnel Division in the Support Services Fund. To align all legal service contacts under the oversight of the City Attorney’s office the revenue and expense of $60,000 also needs to move into the General Fund in the City Attorney’s department. Going forward, these funds will be accounted for as part of the City Attorney’s annual budget request.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Second Amendment