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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 <br />TITLE: <br />APPROVE AMENDMENT TO LEGAL <br />SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR SPECIAL <br />LEGAL COUNSEL SERVICES WITH <br />CARPENTER, ROTHANS & DUMONT TO <br />INCREASE HOURLY BILLING RATE TO <br />$225/HOUR FOR GENERAL LIABILITY AND <br />POLICE LITIGATION DEFENSE MATTERS <br />(STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 1, 3, 4, 5) <br />&ITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the legal services agreement with the law <br />firm of Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, ("CRD") for litigation matters concerning general liability and <br />police litigation defense, effective October 1, 2019, subject to non -substantive changes approved <br />by the City Manager and the City Attorney. <br />The amendment reflects a change in the CRD hourly billing rate from $200 to $225 per hour <br />effective October 1, 2019. While the hourly rate will increase by $25/hour, the overall appropriation <br />for Agreement (A-2017-070), approved by the Council on April 18, 2017, will remain the same. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Since November 21, 2006, the law firm of Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont (CRD) has provided <br />special legal counsel services to the City. The City Council approved the continuation of these <br />services with the City for a three-year term from April 18, 2017 through April 17, 2020. The <br />Agreement is current and in effect. <br />The firm, headquartered in Los Angeles, specializes primarily in police litigation defense services <br />in both federal and state court with an emphasis in civil rights matters involving public safety <br />employees. <br />Mr. Rothans, one of the founding partners of the firm, has practiced law for over thirty years, <br />frequently serves as a Judge Pro Tern and specializes in defending police officers in complex civil <br />rights, police practices, and wrongful death lawsuits involving allegations of excessive force. The <br />25A-1 <br />