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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20 LEGAL SERVICES 12-05-94AGENDA___ DATE: NOVEMBER 30, 1994 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER LEGAL SERVICES The City Council continued this matter in order to further consider changes to the Request For Qualifications and Proposal suggested by Mayor Saltarelli and Mayor Pro Tem Potts. Attached are: · Alternative 1 which is the draft prepared by staff. · Alternative 2 which includes the changes proposed by Mayor Saltarelli (only those pages with changes) · Alternative 3 which includes the changes proposed by Mayor Pro Tem Potts (only the page with changes). Once the City Council has selected the final form of the Request For Qualifications and Proposal, staff can prepare for the City Council's review a schedule for the selection process and options for reviewing the proposals as requested by Councilmember Thomas. WAHl" [eg[chgs.wah CITY OF TUSTIN REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSAL for CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES The City Council of the City of Tustin invites interested law firms to submit a statement of qualifications and a written proposal to provide legal services on a' contractual basis. This request includes background information, objective, scope of work, qualifications for consideration, general provisions regarding ser.v, ices, submission requirements and selection criteria. I. BACKGROUND The City of Tustin is a general law city with a current population of approximately 60,000. The City provides police, public works, water utility, planning and recreational services. Fire services are provided by the Orange County Fire Department. The City has a history of providing quality municipal services and financial stability. The City's 1994-95 budget for all funds is eighty one million dollars. The 1994-95 General Fund budget is twenty five million dollars. The City will continue to grow with the build-out of the Tustin Ranch project which is a 2,000 acre mixed use development. In 1997, Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin will close. The City is the designated local reuse authority and expects to adopt a reuse plan and specific plan for the 1,600 acre air station in 1995. Special redevelopment counsel has been retained to assist with creation of a redevelopment project area which includes the air station. The City is self-insured for general liability and workers compensation through the Orange County Risk Management Authority. The City's current and future legal needs will be influenced by complex land use matters, anticipated major capital improvement projects and those needs associated with day-to-day municipal operations. II. OBJECTIVE The City of Tustin seeks to retain expert representation and consultation. services from a qualified law firm with expertise in advising and representing a California general law city. The firm must possess a broad knowledge of municipal law with particular strength in contracts, public works construction, land use, code enforcement, environmental law, constitutional law, public safety, redevelopment and employment and labor law, and should have a strong record of defending cities in litigation involving tort liability and civil rights claims. III. SCOPE OF WORK The City Attorney firm will provide timely legal advice and counsel to the City of Tustin, City Council, Commissions, City Manager, City Clerk and City staff. The City Attorney also serves as General Counsel for the Tustin Community Redevelopment Agency. The scope of work shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: -. I · Attend all City Council meetings to advise on the legal effect of actions proposed and taken. The Council regularly meets on the first and third Monday evenings of every month. 1 Attend all meetings of the Planning Commission to advise on the legal effect of actions proposed and taken. Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday nights of every month. . Upon request, attend other City Council, City Committee and Commission meetings. , Advise the City Clerk in preparing agendas, official notices, and election documents. Se Prepare and assist in the preparation and review of ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, bid specifications and related documents. 6, Provide legal opinions and advice to the City Council, City Manager and staff regarding City operations and services, and advise in the development of strategies for the resolution of major issues. , Direct the research and analysis of legal issues as requested by the City Council and City staff. . Monitor pending and current State and Federal legislation, regulations, and case law, as appropriate. Apprise City Council and staff and recommend changes to City ordinances and practices, as needed. NBO000-O0000 3326 I 2 IV. . Represent the City in matters of litigation, except workers' compensation. This would include serving as litigation counsel or monitoring other law firms serving as special counsel. 10. Provide other legal services as may be requested or required by the City. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSlDERATION To be considered for selection and contract award: I · The individual proposed as City Attorney must have the following qualifications: a) Admitted to practice before the courts of the State of'California and the United States. b) A minimum of ten (10) years of legal practice. c) A minimum of two (2) years of practice as an employee of a City, or under contract with a City, in the capacity of City Attorney. Significant experience as an Assistant City Attorney in a medium or large size City may be substituted for City Attorney experience. d) Knowledge of fundamentals of law pertaining to a general law city with a redevelopment agency, a public works department, a water department and a police department. e) Availability for service on City Council meeting dates, and at other times as needed. 2. The law firm must have the following qualifications: a) No less than (1) experienced municipal lawyer to assist the City Attorney as needed and to act as backup when the City Attorney is ill or on vacation. b) No less than one (1) litigator experienced in defending general law cities in tort liability claims and civil rights actions. c) An AV rating. NBO000-O0000 3326 1 3 ~' V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The proposer shall submit seven (7) copies of their proposal to'. Val Crabill Deputy City Clerk City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92680 All proposals shall be submitted no later than , at 2:00 p.m. Proposals received after this time and date will not be accepted, but will be returned unopened. -, . The City of Tustin will not be responsible for any errors or omission in the proposals or any delay in mail service. All proposals shall be firm offers subject to acceptance by the City of Tustin and may not be withdrawn for a period of 90 calendar days following the last day to accept proposals. Proposals may not be amended unless at the direction of the City of Tustin. The proposal shall include, but not necessarily be limited to: I · Cover letter/introduction: All proposals shall begin with a cover letter and introduction that includes the name and address of the firm submitting the proposal and the name, address and telephone number of the person who will be authorized to represent the firm. The cover letter shall be signed by an officer authorized to bind the firm to all commitments made in the proposal. 1 NBO000-O0000 3326 I Proposal description: Proposals shall be responsive to all that is covered by this request for proposal, specifically including: a) A description of the qualifications of the firm, with emphasis on legal matters related to a general law city, which demonstrate competence to serve as City Attorney and to provide the required legal services. b) A narrative that indicates the history, management structure, ownership, and staffing of the firm. 4 . · c) The name and qualifications of the individual attorney who will serve as City Attorney and be responsible for the contract with the City of Tustin. In addition, please supply biographical profiles of all other lawyers who will be assigned to this contract, specifically highlighting the municipal law and litigation expertise of these individuals. d) A fee schedule for providing all the legal services within the scope of work. Additional Information: Proposals shall include any additional information essential to proper evaluation of the proposal· References: Names, address, 'and telephone numbers of at least three (3) client references (preferably cities) who would provide additional information regarding the firm's experience. VI. SELECTION CRITERIA · Proposals will be evaluated against, but not limited to, the following criteria: a) Qualifications of proposed City Attorney, including expertise, and experience in providing City Attorney services. b) Qualifications of firm, including depth and breadth of expertise in legal issues affecting the City of Tustin, such as contracts, public works construction, land use, code enforcement, constitutional law, employment and labor law, environmental law, public safety, redevelopment, and defending cities in litigation involving tort liability and civil rights claims. NB0000-O0000 3326 I c) d) e) Technological resources available to support the City Attorney and firm. Availability of City Attorney and firm to provide timely performance. Evidence submitted of strong communication skills to interface with the City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, City staff, various Commissions and Committees, and the community of Tustin. ~ 5 e f) Costs of services, including hourly rates of all attorneys and staff, all other fees and miscellaneous charges. g) References and other evidence submitted supportive of good past experience providing similar services. h) The convenience of the City of Tustin. The City of Tustin reserves and holds at its discretion all of the rights and options of any potential or actual client for legal services, including the rights: a) b) To reject any and/or all of the submittals. To waive any of the provisions of this Request for Qualifications and Proposal. c) To issue subsequent Requests for Qualifications and Proposal. d) To elect to cancel the entire Request for Qualifications and Proposal. e) To waive technical errors in the responses to the Request for Qualifications and Proposal. f) To negotiate with any, all, or none of the respondents to the Request for Qualifications and Proposal. VII. GENERAL I , The City of Tustin shall make available to the selected firm all pertinent City reports and documents that may be available and deemed necessary for the provision of the above services. Access to appropriate City departments shall be provided, as directed by the City Manager. . All documents prepared by the firm shall, upon current payment by the City to the firm, become the City's property. . The City of Tustin may, at any time, terminate any contract awarded to selected firm pursuant to this Request for Qualifications and Proposal. Such termination may be made, in whole or in part, for the convenience of the City of Tustin or for the default of the contractor NB0000-00000 3326 1 -- 6 . . . by giving the contractor a written Notice of Termination referencing the provision. Termination shall be effective upon the contractor's receipt of such Notice of Termination unless such other date is specified in the Notice of Termination. This Request for Qualifications and Proposal does not commit the City of Tustin to negotiate a contract, nor does it obligate the City to pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of responses in anticipation of a"'contract. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee to be designated by the City Council. References and qualifications of top firms, based upon proposal responses, will be verified. Personal interviews will be conducted with the top firms. Final recommendations will be submitted for formal City Council approval. The City Council 'may direct participation by its membership at any time in, or stage of, the process. All inquiries regarding this Request for Qualifications and Proposal and/or regarding current legal services to the City should be directed to: William Huston City Manager City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92680 (714) 573-3010 NBO000-O0000 3326 I 7 municipal law with particular strength in contracts, public works construction, land use, code enforcement, environmental law, constitutional law, public safety, redevelopment and employment and labor law, and should have a strong record of defending cities in litigation involving tort liability, a~.d civil rights claims~ii~!ii~~ii~iiiii~~iii~i~i~i~~i~i~iii~ ================================================================ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :-':::::::: .' .': :::::4: ::::..~ ,-: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: III. SCOPE OF WORK The City Attorney firm Will provide timely legal advice and ~~i!ii~~".~~i to the City of Tustin, City Council, Commissions, City '~'"~:'~':~"~'"~'~:'~'"':'~"i:~"'""~'lerk and City staff. The City Attorney also serves as General Counsel for the Tustin Community Redevelopment Agency· The scope of work shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the'fbllowing: I · Attend all City Council meetings to advise on the legal effect of actions proposed and taken. The Council regularly meets on the first and third Monday evenings of every month. · Attend all meetings of the Planning Commission to advise on the legal effect of actions proposed and taken. Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday nights of every month. . Upon request, attend other City Council, City Committee and Commission meetings. · Advise the City Clerk in preparing agendas, official notices, and election documents. · Prepare and assist in the preparation and review of ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, bid specifications and related documents. 1 Provide legal opinions and advice to the City Council, City Manager and staff regarding City operations and services, and advise in the development of strategies for the resolution of major issues. . Direct the research and analysis of legal issues as requested by the City Council and City staff. · Monitor pending and current State and Federal legislation, regulations, and case law, as appropriate. Apprise City Council and staff and recommend changes to City ordinances and practices, as needed. NBO000-O0000 3326 I 2 , Represent the City in matters of litigation, except workers' ~~:.~.~!. This would include serving as litigation counsel or mcnltcrl,qg ~ii~i~!~iii~~ other law firms serving as special counsel· 10. Provide other legal services as may be requested or required by the City. IV. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION To be considered for selection and contract award' I · .,,,.,,,,.,,~ u,~- City Attorney must have the following qualifications: -.. a) Admitted to practice before the courts of the State of California and the United States. b) A minimum of ten (10) years of legal practice· c) A minimum of ~i!i~i~ii! t;",'c (~' years of practice as an employee :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ~-- ~ of a City, or under contract with a City, in the capacity of City Attorney. Significant experience as an Assistant City Attorney in a medium or large size City may be substituted for City Attorney experience. d) Knowledge of fundamentals of law pertaining to a general law city with a redevelopment agency, a public works department, a water department and a police department. e) Availability for service on City Council meeting dates, and at other times as needed. 2. The law firm must have the following qualifications' a) No less than (1) experienced municipal lawyer to assist the City Attorney as needed and to act as backup when the City Attorney is ill or on vacation. b) No less than ~iii~i~ cnc (I) litigato[~ experienced in .................................................. .:.:.:. defending general law cities in tort liability claims and civil n :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -:::::::::::;:::- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: .::t:::::.: :::: :-:::::: :.: ::::: :~:: :4: :.: ¥: :.:: :.:.:.: :.:.: :.: :.:.~.:..: -.:4.;.:.:.-.:. :.:: :.:.: :.:. :.:.:.;.:.:.:~: :.: :::::: :::::::: :::::::::::::: ::::;: :::::::::: ~:: ::::: ::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: NB0000-00000 3326 1 -- 3 1 b) A narrative that indicates the history, management structure, ownership, and staffing of the firm. c) The name and qualifications of the individual attorney who will serve as City Attorney and be responsible for the contract with the City of Tustin. In addition, please supply biographical profiles of all other lawyers who will be assigned to this contract, specifically highlighting the municipal law and litigation expertise of these individuals. d) A fee schedule for providing ali the legal services within the scope of work. Additional Information: Proposals shall include any additional information essential to proper evaluation of the proposal. '" References: Names, address, and telephone numbers of at least three (3) client references (preferably cities) who would provide additional information regarding the firm's experience. VI. SELECTION CRITERIA I · Proposals will be evaluated against, but not limited to, the following criteria: a) Qualifications of proposed City Attorney, including expertise, and experience in providing City Attorney services. b) Qualifications of firm, including depth and breadth of expertise in legal issues affecting the City of Tustin, such as contracts, public works construction, land use, code enforcement, constitutional law, employment and labor law, environmental law, public safety, redevelopment, and defending cities in litigation involving tort liability, c,~.d civil rights claims, .-.::: ::: :::;: ~: :.-:: :::.-::::::: :.-:~::-.: ..::::::: ....::;::: -:: :..' ::;: .- :.:: ::; :~ :.-::::;::: :.'..:: ::::; :::: ::: ::: :.-: ::::::::::::::::::::::: ============================================ c) d) Technological resources available to support the City Attorney and firm. Availability of City Attorney and firm to provide timely performance. NB0000-O0000 3326 I 5 2, e) Evidence submitted of strong communication skills to interface with the City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, City staff, various Commissions and Committees, and the community of Tustin. f) Costs of services, including hourly rates of all attorneys and staff, all other fees and miscellaneous charges. g) References and other evidence submitted supportive of good past experience providing similar services. h) The convenience of the City of Tustin ~:~:::~:~::::::::~:::::~:::::::~::~::::::::~:~:::~::::::::::::::::::::::~::~:::::~::::::::::::~:~:::~:::::::::::::::~::::::::~:::::::::~:::::::~ The City of Tustin reserves and holds at its discretion all of' the rights and options of any potential or actual client for legal services, including the rights: a) To reject any and/or all of the submittals. b) To waive any of the provisions of this Request for Qualifications and Proposal. c) To issue subsequent Requests for Qualifications and Proposal· d) To elect to cancel the entire Request for Qualifications and Proposal. e) To waive technical errors in the responses to the Request for Qualifications and Proposal. f) To negotiate with any, all, or none of the respondents to the Request for Qualifications and Proposal. VII. GENERAL · The City of Tustin shall make available to the selected firm all pertinent City reports and documents that may be available and deemed necessary for the provision of the above services· Access to appropriate City departments shall be provided, as directed by the City Manager. 2. All documents prepared by the firm shall, upon current payment by NBO000-OOOOO 3326 I 6 IV. . Represent the City in matters of litigation, except workers' compensation. This would include serving as litigation counsel or monitoring other law firms serving as special counsel. 10. Provide other legal services as may be requested or required by the City. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION To be considered for selection and contract award' I , The individual proposed as City Attorney must have the following qualifications: a) Admitted to practice before the courts of the State of'CalifOrnia and the United States. b) A minimum of ~iiiiiii~i tcn (I0) years of legal practice. c) ~) Knowledge of fundamentals of law pertaining to a general law city with a redevelopment agency, a public works department, a water department and a police department. Availability for service on City Council meeting dates, and at other times as needed. 2. The law firm must have the following qualifications: a) No less than (1) experienced municipal lawyer to assist the City Attorney as needed and to act as backup when the City Attorney is ill or on vacation. b) No less than one (1) litigator experienced in defending general law cities in tor't liability claims and civil rights actions. NBO000-O0000 3326 1 -- 3