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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 <br />TITLE: <br />APPROVE AGREEMENTS FOR SPECIAL LEGAL <br />COUNSEL SERVICES WITH CARPENTER, ROTHANS <br />& DUMONT, LLP., AND MCCUNE AND HARBOR, LLP <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For_ <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the City Manager and the Clerk of the Council to approve agreements with Carpenter, <br />Rothans & Dumont, LLP., and McCune & Harbor, LLP., for legal services at the specified rates, <br />subject to non - substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, LLP. <br />Since November 21, 2006, the law firm of Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont has provided special <br />legal counsel services to the City specializing primarily in law enforcement tort defense services <br />in both federal and state court. The law firm has consistently provided excellent service at a <br />blended rate for partners and associates of $170 an hour for the last eight (8) years. The firm <br />recently requested a minimal rate increase of $15 an hour for a new blended rate for partners <br />and associates of $185 an hour. $185 an hour remains below standard industry rates for public <br />entity tort defense. The City Attorney's Office supports this minimal rate increase and has <br />additionally updated the agreement terms as well to reflect a three (3) year agreement with <br />articulated reporting requirements. <br />McCune & Harbor, LLP. <br />Since January 31, 2002, the law firm of McCune & Harbor has provided special legal counsel <br />services to the City specializing in tort defense and employment/labor defense cases. Since <br />December 2007, the law firm has consistently provided excellent service at a blended rate for <br />partners and associates of $175 an hour. The firm recently requested a minimal rate increase of <br />$10 an hour for a new blended rate for partners and associates of $185 an hour. $185 an hour <br />remains below standard industry rates for public entity tort defense. The City Attorney's Office <br />supports this minimal rate increase and has additionally updated the agreement terms as well to <br />reflect a three (3) year agreement with articulated reporting requirements. <br />25P -1 <br />