HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - February 17, 1993 (82)r
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CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Proposed Reciprocal Agreement With Turlock City Attorney
For Legal Services
MEETING DATE: February 17, 1993
PREPARED BY: City Attorney
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Council consideration and possible approval of
reciprocal agreement for City Attorney services.
BACKGROUND: Historically, when the City Attorney has been out of
town or otherwise unavailable on City Council meeting
dates, it has been necessary to retain an outside law
firm to provide legal services. While the local firm
utilized has always done an excellent job, the City's current financial
situation requires innovative measures to contain costs.
In recent conversation with Angil P. Jones, City Attorney for Turlock, it
became apparent that City is in a similar situation. It occurred to us that we
might be able to help each other under a reciprocal agreement.
The proposal is simply that each City Attorney provide coverage to the other's
Council meetings on those occasions when the regular City Attorney is
unavailable, at no charge. When Ms. Jones is unavailable to attend Turlock
Council meetings, I would cover for her, assuming my schedule would otherwise
allow, and she would do likewise in my absence. These situations would
probably be infrequent.
Of course, this would require approval by both City Councils as well as a
mutual indemnity agreement. The agreement would create no obligation to
provide reciprocal coverage, but would authorize it if our schedules permit.
This would give the respective cities the option to do so if feasible.
I have high regard for Ms. Jones' abilities and reputation as a City Attorney
and believe she would do an excellent job. Turlock is approximately the same
size as Lodi and deals with many of the same issues, so her experience is on
point. This situation would also have less potential for conflict than hiring
an outside firm, since she would have no private clients' interests to look out
for which might theoretically later come into conflict with the City's
interests.
APPROVED
THOMAS A. PETERSON
City Manager
recycled paper
AGENDA TITLE: Proposed Reciprocal Agreement With Turlock City Attorney
For Legal Services
METING DATE: February 17, 1993
Page Two
Assuming the Council consents to this proposal, a letter of understanding can
be drafted. Council direction is requested.
FUNDING: None
Respectfully submitted,
-1073 A�tab --
Bob McNatt
City Attorney
CITYATTY.2/TXTA.01V