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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2018 TITLE: APPROVE LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH TALLEY & TALLY, APC, AND OLIVAREZ MADRUGA LEMIEUX O'NEIL, LLP, RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE, LITIGATION, AND PERSONNEL BOARD MATTERS {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 1,3,4,5} RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Authorize the City Manager and Clerk of the Council to execute a legal services agreement with the law firm of Talley & Talley, APC, and Olivarez Madruga Lemieux O'Neil, LLP ("Attorneys") related to administrative, litigation and personnel board matters for a seven (7) month term ending on June 30, 2019, in an amount not to exceed $105,000 (Talley) and $100,000 (Olivarez), subject to non -substantive changes approved by the City Manager and the City Attorney. DISCUSSION The City Attorney's Office handles and manages a variety of transactional and litigation matters. On October 1, 2018, the City engaged the law firm of Talley & Talley, APC, to assist the City Attorney's Office using funding from the budgeted vacancy position of Chief Assistant City Attorney to supplement in-house services. With the recent hiring of new executive directors and a focus on completion of projects, there has been a significant increase in requests for legal services. The City previously contracted with Nate Kowalski to provide legal representation to the personnel board. The term of his agreement expired and informal bids were sought to retain replacement counsel. The Olivarez firm responded with a proposed rate of $285 per hour which is a savings of more than $40 per hour. The proposed agreements will authorize the City Attorney to continue its work with Ms. Talley and engage the Olivarez firm for its services. 25A-1