TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
George Gabriel, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Existing Legal Services Agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon to Add Prosecution Services (City Manager Moe).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 23-0150
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-0150 approving Amendment No. 5 to the certain agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon (RWG) adding prosecution services to the current scope of services.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost of the proposed prosecutorial services is $234/hour on an as-needed basis. As such, the estimated fiscal implications are unknown at this time until staff is able to monitor expenditures depending on the legal services provided. Staff will closely monitor the billing and legal services provided and return to City Council during the mid-year budget report to request an appropriation if warranted.
BACKGROUND:
At the June 20, 2023, City Council meeting, Mayor Montgomery and Mayor Pro Tem Franklin requested a report summarizing the City's efforts on State Misdemeanor Prosecution and Homeless Court Services. Following discussion, City Council requested that staff explore reinforcing the City's prosecution services.
At the September 5, 2023, meeting, City Council considered prosecutorial services proposals and directed staff to engage with the City's existing primary legal counsel, Richards, Watson and Gershon, and add more robust prosecution services and explore amending the City's public nuisance regulations (the latter of which will return to City Council before the end of the calendar year).
DISCUSSION:
From time to time, the City has delegated criminal prosecution, and other legal services, to special counsel. Historically, the City relied on such counse...
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