Report Prepared by: Craig J. Cornwell, City Attorney, City Attorney’s Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Richards, Watson & Gershon Fifth Amendment to Legal Services Agreement
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers the approval of Richards, Watson & Gershon Fifth Amendment to Legal Services Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Fifth Amendment to Agreement for Legal Services with Richards, Watson & Gershon for additional compensation in an amount not to exceed $80,000; and,
B. 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 2026-27 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 is staffed with the City Attorney and Chief Deputy City Attorney. The previous and current recruitments for the Deputy City Attorney position have been unsuccessful thus far. This vacancy has created salary savings of $80,000 for this fiscal year 2026/2027 through December 2026. This salary savings is being used to fund the current outside legal counsel agreements. Richards, Watson & Gershon provides valuable assistance to the understaffed City Attorney’s Office.
The following amendment to the current outside legal counsel agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon is requested as follows:
Richards, Watson & Gershon Fifth Amendment Request
On February 20, 2024, the City entered into a Legal Services Agreement with Richards Watson & Gershon (“RWG”) to provide assistance to the City Attorney on general municipal law advisory...
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