MEETING DATE:
JULY 13, 2021
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-8897 - APPROVING AN HOURLY RATE INCREASE FOR THE FIRM OF LOUNSBERY FERGUSON ALTONA AND PEAK FOR CONTRACT CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES, AND PROVIDING CONTINUED AUTHORIZATION FOR ALL ATTORNEYS AFFILIATED WITH SAID FIRM, AS WELL AS SPECIAL COUNSEL RETAINED BY THE CITY, TO INITIATE AND PROSECUTE SAN MARCOS MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, WHETHER CIVIL OR CRIMINAL
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Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT resolution relating to the hourly rates for City Attorney services, and providing continued authorization for all attorneys of the City Attorney's firm and retained special counsel to initiate civil or criminal enforcement actions and to prosecute San Marcos Municipal Code violations.
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Board or Commission Action (If not applicable, please state not applicable below)
Not Applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme (If not applicable, please state not applicable below)
Not Applicable
Relevant Department Goal (If not applicable, please state not applicable below)
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
On May 26, 2021, the City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins and Council Member Walton as its negotiators for City Attorney compensation discussions. Said negotiators thereafter met with the City Attorney with respect to the hourly rate charged to the City for general legal services, and the Council has discussed the same with its negotiators. The request is to increase the hourly rate from its current maximum of $230.00 per hour to a maximum of $255.00 per hour. The $230.00 maximum hourly rate has been in place since 2019.
The City Council is also requested to reaffirm that the City Attorney's office is authorized to initiate actions to enforce the San Marcos Municipal Code, and that each of the attorneys associated with her firm in any capacity are authorized to prosecute San Marcos Municipal Code violations and to raise defenses in such actions, whether by civil or criminal proceedin...
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