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<br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br /> <br /> <br />REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br /> <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br /> <br />APRIL 7, 2008 <br />TITLE: <br /> <br /> <br />APPROVED <br /> <br />o As Recommended <br />o As Amended <br />o Ordinance on 1st Reading <br />o Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />o Implementing Resolution <br />o Set Public Hearing For <br /> <br />AMENDMENT TO PARALEGAL SERVICES <br />AGREEMENT WITH BEAUCHAMP <br />ENTERPRISES, INC. <br /> <br />CONTINUED TO <br /> <br />tto:o. <br /> <br />FILE NUMBER <br /> <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br /> <br />Authorize the City Manager and Clerk of the Council to execute the <br />attached amended agreement with Beauchamp Enterprises, Inc. increasing <br />the hourly rate from $40.00 to $58.00, subject to non-substantive changes <br />approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />The City Attorney's Office provides a variety of legal services including <br />the representation of the City and its officials in judicial proceedings. <br />This is primarily done through full-time staff including paralegals. <br />Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances and increases in active caseload <br />require supplemental staff. <br /> <br />In 2005, the Office contracted with Beauchamp Enterprises, Inc. to <br />provide litigation paralegal assistance primarily related to eminent <br />domain and support in right of way issues. Recently, the service provider <br />obtained the Senior Right of Way Agent (SR/WA) designation through the <br />International Right of Way Association. This designation is the most <br />prestigious professional designation granted by the IRWA and is the only <br />designation reflecting evidence of professional status in the Right of <br />Way field. <br /> <br />The City Attorney's Office has been notified that Beauchamp Enterprises, <br />Inc. wishes to increase their fees. The request is for an hourly fee <br />adjustment from $40 to $58. This rate is well below the billable rate of <br />$95 to $125 hourly for paralegal work charged by Right of Way Agents who <br />hold the SR/WA designation. Beauchamp Enterprises, Inc. has provided the <br />City with exceptional and cost-effective paralegal support. The revised <br />hourly rate of $58 per hour remains consistent with the company's <br />previous pricing policy and provides a substantial cost savings to the <br />City. <br /> <br />258-1 <br />