1998 AGN APR 21 I31 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT For Council Meeting of April 21, 1998 TO: Honorable Mayor and Council FROM: Henry Garcia, City Manag SUBJECT: Legal Services DATE: April 14, 1998 Background At the meeting of April 7, 1998, the City Council directed me to prepare a report evaluating the legal services presently being provided to the City and the Redevelopment Agency, and to make a recommendation as to whether requests for proposals to provide such legal services should be solicited at this time. Below is a brief outline of the facts that led to bringing our current legal services to the City: In October 1997, I understand that the City Council interviewed three law firms to replace the City's in-house City Attorney. The then Interim City Manager, Len Wood, met with representatives of each of the law firms and representatives of the law firms were invited to interview before the City Council. As a result of this process, the City Council selected Best Best & Krieger to serve as Interim City Attorney and Interim Agency Counsel. After Best Best & Krieger came on board, Sonia Carvalho discussed Best Best & Krieger's strategies for managing and reducing legal costs. She indicated that Best Best & Krieger would need between six months and a year to have the opportunity to demonstrate its ability to reduce the overall legal costs. The City Council then decided to retain Best Best & Krieger on an interim basis until it could receive further information and direction on the subject from me, as the new City Manager. MW or Issues to Maintain our Current Legal Service Providers In preparing this report, I have reviewed the cost of legal services for the City and the Agency, as well as, evaluated both the legal and management impacts of soliciting RFD's at this time. The major issues I reviewed in determining the best position for the City of Colton were: 1. Legal Implications to Maintain Our Current Provider 2. Level of Service/Track Record 3. Cost of Service and Adequate Review Period Item # 31