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<br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br /> <br />tI <br />~ <br /> <br />REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br /> <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br /> <br />SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 <br />TITLE: <br /> <br />APPROVED <br /> <br />0 As Recommended <br />0 As Amended <br />0 Ordinance on 151 Reading <br />0 Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />0 Implementing Resolution <br />0 Set Public Hearing For <br /> <br />LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH <br />HAIGHT BROWN & BONESTEEL, LLP <br /> <br />~1. ßßLa <br /> <br />CITY MÁNAGE <br /> <br />CONTINUED TO <br /> <br />FILE NUMBER <br /> <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br /> <br />Direct the City Attorney to prepare and authorize the City Manager and the <br />Clerk of the Council to execute a legal services agreement with the Law <br />Firm of Haight Brown & Bonesteel, LLP with a maximum hourly rate of $200. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />Under the direction of the City Attorney's Office, the law firm of Haight <br />Brown & Bonesteel will provide legal services to the City Attorney's <br />Office and Risk Management Divisions in the specialized area of Federal <br />court litigation, Constitutional Law, including litigation experience <br />relating to Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act <br />("RLUIPA"), civil rights, and First Amendment issues. This firm is highly <br />regarded and one of the largest 25 firms in the State. It was selected <br />after extensive consideration and interviews of other firms with similar <br />background and expertise. The attorneys at Haight Brown & Bonesteel have <br />extensive experience representing public entities, including defending the <br />City of Lake Elsinore in the important case of Elsinore Christian Center <br />v. City of Lake Elsinore which is the only government land use case in the <br />Uni ted Sates to hold a portion of RLUIPA to be unconstitutional. The <br />resources and expertise that this firm offers is essential in maintaining <br />a competent and vigorous defense in these complex cases. <br /> <br />The hourly rate charged by Haight Brown & Bonesteel is $200 per hour. This <br />rate is highly competitive for a firm with Haight Brown & Bonesteel's <br />background and expertise and given the complexity of the cases handled. <br /> <br />25H <br /> <br />