HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - February 7, 2007 E-11AGENDA ITEM I'
CITY OF LOBI(
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Authorize Hourly Billing Rate Increases for Legal Services Provided Under
Agreement with Folger, Levin & Kahn, LLP, to be Effective January 1, 2007.
MEETING DATE: February 7, 2007 City Council Meeting
PRIEPWO BY: City Morney's-Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize Hourly Billing Rate Increases for Legal Services Provided Under
Agreement with Folger, Levin & Kahn, LLP, to be Effective January 1,
2007.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The City Council approved retention of the law firm of Folger Levin
& Kahn on June 2, 2004, to serve as outside counsel for the
Environmental Abatement Program litigation.
Currently, the legal services contract provides for two alternative billing rates. The City may pay the
lower of either (1) a blended rate or (2) the fixed rates for partners and associates. The City has found
this choice to be most advantageous, and does not propose to change these provisions.
Folger, Levin & Kahn has requested that the City increase the billing rates effective January 1, 2007, for
legal services provided under its agreement. The contract rates have been in effect since 2004, and
represented a downward aclustment to Folger's standard billing rates in effect at the time, and no
increases in these rates have been requested since the commencement of the contract. However, in the
interim, the firm's standard rimes have increased. The requested increase will result in rates that are still
lower than Folger's standard rates.
The requested rate changes are (1) to adjust the blended rate from $325 to $350 per hour, and (2) to
adjust the fixed rates from $395 to $420 (partners), and from $235 to $260 (associates), respectively.
Folger's original request for partner rates topped out at $435 per hour and they agreed with my request to
reduce that portion to $420 per hour.
FISCAL WPACT: NIA
FUMDINSG AVAILABLE: NIA
Approved:
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APPROVED: _ _
Blair King, City Manager