HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - No. 2021-328RESOLUTION NO. 2021-328
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE
CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH BEST BEST &
KRIEGER, LLP, OF LOS ANGELES, FOR SERVICES RELATED TO RECORD
PROCESSING IN RESPONSE TO SUBPOENAS AND CALIFORNIA PUBLIC
RECORDS ACT REQUESTS
WHEREAS, the California Public Records Act (CA. Gov't Code §§6250 et seq., "CPRA")
allows members of the public to request records from public agencies and the agency must
respond within 10 days and then provide all records within its possession unless specific
exemptions apply; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, the California legislature has expanded accessibility to
records and the types of documents (e.g. police body camera footage) that are available
through CPRA and subpoena requests. Therefore, the volume of documents and records that
must be reviewed to prepare a CPRA compliant response has greatly expanded, and the
amount of City staff time and resources spent on these activities have substantially increased.
For instance, the Police Department Records staff typically spent about 10 hours per week on
review and redaction of requested records, but recent requests for a large volume of records
and body camera footage staff time has exceed 40 hours per request; and
WHEREAS, additionally, the City Attorney's office time to review the records prior to
disclosure has increased from approximately 5 hours per week to over 20 hours per week for
larger requests. As a result, City staff time and resources are becoming stretched thin and the
City Attorney's office has been looking for consultant services that can assist the City in
meeting CPRA and subpoena response requirements; and
WHEREAS, the law firm Best, Best & Krieger ("BBK") has developed a specialized
department, called the Advanced Records Center, to assist public agencies by providing legal
services related to processing CPRA and other record requests. By contracting with the firm,
the City can pay an hourly rate for BBK's specialized staff members to assist City staff with
review of requests and drafting responses, use their specialized software to narrow record
searches of electronic documents, as well as perform review and redaction of confidential
materials, including police body camera footage, prior to disclosure. By retaining BBK for these
specialized services, staff in the City Attorney's office and Police Department Records will be
available to handle other assignments; and
WHEREAS, BBK's services also offer review of the City's records policies and training
for staff on response requirements on an as -needed basis. Under the contract, the City may
utilize BBK's services and specialized software in an a la carte format, based on the City's
current needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby
authorize the City Attorney to execute the contract with Best Best & Krieger LLP, of
Los Angeles, California, for services related to record processing for subpoena and California
Public Records Act requests, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, as set forth above.
Dated: December 1, 2021
hereby certify that Resolution No. 2021-328 was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held December 1, 2021 by the following votes:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler, Hothi, Khan, Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
JENNIF CUSMIR
City Clerk
2021-328