Report Prepared by: Craig J. Cornwell, City Attorney, City Attorney's Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Hanson Bridgett, LLP Sixth Amendment, Richards, Watson & Gershon Second Amendment, and Wilke Fleury, LLP Fourth Amendment in a Total Amount not to Exceed $166,000
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the Hanson Bridgett, LLP Sixth Amendment, Richards Watson & Gershon Second Amendment, and Wilke Fleury, LLP Fourth Amendment in a total amount not to exceed $166,000.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Sixth Amendment to an Agreement for Professional Services with Hanson Bridgett LLP in an amount not to exceed $100,000, and exercise the second option to extend the Agreement; and,
B. Approving a Second Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon in an amount not to exceed $36,000; and,
C. Approving a Fourth Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Wilke Fleury, LLP in an amount not to exceed $30,000; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager 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
As provided for in the 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Office of the City Attorney is responsible for representing the City of Merced in all legal actions involving the City unless the City Council determines contracting with a specialized law firm is prudent. Currently, the City Attorney's Office has two out of three attorney positions vacant, leaving the City Attorney to handle all matters requested of his office. The previous and current recruitments for the two attorney positions have been unsuccessful thus far. These firms provide valuable assistance to the understaffed City Attorney's Office.
The following amendments to the current outside legal co...
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