Agenda

Return

C. 41

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Sharon L. Anderson, County Counsel
Date:	March 26, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Amendment to Contract with Greenan, Peffer, Sallander & Lally

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/26/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor

Contact:

Stephen M. Siptroth, (925) 335-1817

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 26, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Counsel, or designee, to execute, on behalf of Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, an amendment to a contract for specialized professional services with Greenan, Peffer, Sallander & Lally, to allow for an increase in fees beginning June 1, 2019, as recommended by the County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Eminent domain and real property matters will be charged to pertinent project accounts. The amendment increases the hourly billing rates for attorneys to $295 per hour. All other terms of the contract will remain unchanged.

BACKGROUND:

On August 1, 2011, the County entered into a new contract with Greenan, Peffer, Sallander & Lally for specialized legal services, including eminent domain services, as requested by the County Counsel. On November 1, 2015, the contract was amended to add billing rates for paralegals, update reimbursable costs, and allow for a blended hourly rate of $265 for all attorneys.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Effective June 1, 2019, the firm will increase its billing rates for attorneys, from $265 per hour, to $295 per hour, but requests no other changes to the contract. Due to the specialized nature of the services the firm provides, the County Counsel recommends approving an amendment to the firm's legal services contract to increase the firm's attorney billing rates to $295 per hour. This amendment clarifies that both the County and the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District may receive services under this contract.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The firm's new billing rates would not be effective, and the firm could terminate the contract.