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AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH JONES HALL
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving an Agreement for Legal Services with Jones Hall.
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Summary
Jones Hall brings a unique level of experience to the field of community facility and assessment district proceedings that is needed to handle certain reoccurring activities as the need arises.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City needs to hire outside counsel from time to time to handle special, complex legal matters, including community facility and assessment district issues. Section 1306 of the City Charter authorizes the Office of the City Attorney to retain or employ outside counsel with the approval of the City Council.
Present Situation
Due to the recent retirement of Tim Hachman, who has handled these matters for many years, the City has a particular need for the ready availability of experienced outside counsel that specialize in community facility and assessment district proceedings. The firm of Jones Hall is experienced and proficient in handling these matters and their related issues. The City will benefit from having this firm available to assist with these issues on an as needed basis. The firm’s hourly rates and other fees are reasonable and extremely competitive as compared with other firms of its size and areas of expertise. It is expected that the City will primarily work with David Fama, a partner in the firm, whose practice emphasizes bond and district work.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Legal services will be billed on a project basis pursuant to the rates set forth in the Agreement (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution). The fees will be paid through the approved taxes and assessments of each respective project. There are sufficient funds budgeted annually within the maintenance and assessment districts for this purpose. It is anticipated that any future districts that may be formed would also be structure in a manner that would budget the necessary costs for legal services as well.