To: Mayor
and City Council
From: City
Staff
Subject: Professional Services Agreement with Kane,
Ballmer & Berkman, a Law Corporation, for Legal Services for the City,
Agency and the Parking Authority
This report recommends that the City Council
authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Kane,
Ballmer & Berkman for legal services on behalf of the City of
Kane Ballmer & Berkman (KBB), which specializes
in redevelopment and real property transactions, has provided legal services to
the City and Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment related matters since the
1980s. This agreement will provide legal
services associated with various property transactions by the City, Agency and
the Parking Authority. The agreement for
legal services will include, but is not limited to, the rendering of legal
advice and consultation; furnishing of written legal opinions; drafting and
preparation of necessary legal documents; legal reviews and approval of
contracts and attendance at local hearings or other meetings, as required. A city attorney will be assigned to work with
KBB on all legal services provided.
The Agreement being recommended sets hourly rates for
the attorneys at KBB that range from $145 per for an Associate to $200 per hour
for the Senior Principals (partners). The Agreement provides for the rates to
be adjusted with thirty (30) days written notice to the City, consistent with
KBB’s prevailing rates.
The number and nature of real estate and/or
Redevelopment Agency transactions that
require the assistance of KBB will determine the total cost of services. It is anticipated that the amount may exceed
$55,000. Funds will be encumbered in the
budgets for professional services for the Agency, City and the Parking
Authority to cover these legal services as required.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the
City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Kane, Ballmer &
Berkman for legal services on behalf of the City, the Redevelopment Agency and
the Parking Authority.
Prepared by: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Jeff Mathieu, Director, Resource Management Department
Lyn Cacciatore, Deputy City Attorney
Miriam Mack, Economic Development Division Manager
Tina Rodriguez, Redevelopment Administrator
Erika Cavicante, Senior Administrative Analyst