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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2g: Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont for Defense Attorney Services of ARc 4� 6Y i.00.ro.noa Auqu.f S,Ifq] oo �4n,t3.°tom° MEMORANDUM Office of the City Attorney Date: November 1, 2011 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: STEPHEN P. DEITSCH, CITY ATTORNEY 5.-t*' r PREPARED BY: LISA MUSSENDEN, CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK/RECORDS MANAGER SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CITY'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY FIRM, CARPENTER ROTHANS AND DUMONT INCLUDING A RATE INCREASE. Recommended Action: Approve SUMMARY The City's defense attorneys, Carpenter Rothans & Dumont, have requested a rate increase from $160 to $175 per hour effective November 1, 2011. They have indicated that they recognize budget constraints facing all municipalities; however, they have indicated that their costs of insurance, office space and other overhead continues to escalate. Both the City Manager and City Attorney believe that the proposed rate increase is reasonable and appropriate. BACKGROUND The law firm of Carpenter Rothans and Dumont has been the City's defense attorneys for more than 20 years and have done excellent tort claims legal work on behalf of the City and its employees. A review of our records indicates that the firm's last rate increase was more than five (5) years ago. The Agreement including the rate increase with Carpenter Rothans and Dumont has been reviewed by the City Attorney and has been approved as to form. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact at this time is undetermined; however there are sufficient funds in the General Account to accommodate the requested rate increase. 1 RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize and direct the City Manager to execute an Agreement between the City and Carpenter Rothans & Dumont, including a rate increase from $160 to $175 per hour. CONCUR: Donald Penman City Manager 2