HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 CITY ATTY RATES 07-05-05
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AGENDA REPORT
Agenda Item 12
. Reviewed: I .~
City Manager ~
Finance Director ~
MEETING DATE:
TO:
JUNE 5, 2005
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY MANAGER
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION AMENDING EXHIBIT "A" TO RETAINER
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION:
Pleasure of the City Council.
DISCUSSION:
Ms. Jeffrey's request for an adjustment in the City Attorney's rates due to increase in
the cost of doing business since 2003 is described in the attached memo. A Resolution
proposed by Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart to implement the rate adjustment is attached
to that memo for your consideration.
~
WilLIAM A. HUSTON -
Enclosure
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June 28, 2005
LAW OFFICES OF
WOODRUFF, SPRADLIN & SMART
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
DIRECT DIAl: (714) 584.2801
DIRECT FAX: (714) 565-2507
E-MAIL: LEJ@WSS-LAW.CQM
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Tustin
FROM:
Lois E. Jeffrey, Director
Woodruff, Spradlin and Smart
DATE:
RE:
June 28, 2005
Cost of Living Adjustment to Fees for City Attorney's Services
The City Council last approved adjustments in the City Attorney's hourly rates in
July 2003. At that time the rate of $161 for all attorneys was approved. I am proposing
an adjustment to $174 per hour for attorneys, which is strictly based on cost of living
increases since 2003. We are also proposing a cost of living adjustment in the
paralegal rate from $90 to $100. These rates compare favorably with rates charged by
other firms, For example, Best Best & Krieger, who is providing City Attorney services
to the Cities of Aliso Viejo and Yorba Linda, in 2003 charged $165 for transactional work
and $185 for litigation. Other firms such as Burke Williams & Sorensen and Richards,
Watson & Gershon charge considerably higher rates for special transactional work and
litigation, with the rates ranging above $200 per hour.
We recognize that the City faces significant financial challenges this fiscal year
and in future years. Accordingly, our proposed increase is strictly in line with past
increases in cost of living, similar to what has been approved for City employees in
recent years.
Per the Retainer Agreement with Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart, the Council may
approve the adjustment by amending Exhibit "A" to the Retainer Agreement. A
proposed resolution is attached for your consideration.
LO~Ef~~
cc: William A. Huston, City Manager
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PATRICKM.DESMOND. JAMESM. OONICH. JAMESJlBGOART. RACHBLLfiNOS. CRAIGG. PARRINGTON
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DARBARA RAILEANU . JASON S RBITERER . <>MAR SANDOVAL. JOHN R. SHAW. GREGORY E. SIMONIAN
KENNARDR. SMART,JR . DANIElK SPRADLIN. CINDY R. STAFFElBACH . TOOMAS L WOODRUFF
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RESOLUTION NO. 05 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AMENDED EXHIBIT
"A" TO THE RETAINER AGREEMENT FOR CITY
ATTORNEY SERVICES
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No, 95-95, adopted on November 20, 1995, the City
Council authorized the execution of a retainer agreement with Rourke & Woodruff
(hereinafter Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart) for city attorney services; and
WHEREAS, that agreement provides that Exhibit "A," which contains Woodruff,
Spradlin & Smart's hourly rates, may be changed from time to time without otherwise
amending the agreement, by a resolution adopted by the City Council; and
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9 WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve an amended Exhibit "A" effective
July 1, 2005.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN,
11 CALIFORNIA, finds, determines and orders as follows:
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That amended Exhibit "A," attached hereto, to the Retainer
Agreement for City Attorney Services, is hereby approved and
effective as of July 1, 2005.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Tustin on the - day of , 2005.
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LOU BONE, MAYOR
19 ATTEST:
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21 PAMELA STOKER
CITY CLERK
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EXHIBIT "A"
CITY OF TUSTIN RATE SCHEDULE (7/05)
Hourly Rates for Legal Personnel (Transactional and Litigation)
Paralegals
Associates/Partners
$100.00.
$174.00
Billing Increment
We bill in increments of one-tenth of an hour (six minutes).
In-office photocopying
Mileage
Costs and Expenses
$0.25 per page ~ after 25 pages)
Maximum amount approved by IRS
(out of County travel only)
.Excludes secretarial functions performed by paralegals.
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA ~
COUNTY OF ORANGE
CITY OF TUSTIN
RESOLUTION NO. 05-
4 Pamela Stoker, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin,
California, does hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council
5 of the City of Tustin is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution was passed and
adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the - day of ,
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COUNCILMEMBER AYES:
COUNCILMEMBER NOES:
COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED:
COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT:
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PAMELA STOKER
City Clerk
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