DATE: January 21, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Amendment of the Legal Services Agreement with Downey Brand LLP to Increase the Contract Amount for Specialized Legal Support on Water Resources-Related Matters to a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $225,000
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Attorney to amend the legal services agreement with Downey Brand LLP to increase the contract amount by $75,000 to a not-to-exceed amount of $225,000 to provide additional specialized legal support services on water resources-related matters.
SUMMARY
The City entered into an agreement with Downey Brand for specialized legal support services on water resources-related matters in October 2016. Downey Brand has advised staff on legal matters related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the City’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Plan, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency pilot water transfer, and negotiation of the new East Bay Dischargers Authority Joint Powers Agreement. The total amount of $150,000 authorized for the past two fiscal years has been nearly exhausted. Downey Brand has performed well, and staff continues to anticipate the need for additional support from the firm related to SGMA and other increasingly complex water resources matters. Staff is requesting authorization to amend the agreement with Downey Brand to increase the contract by $75,000 to a total not-to-exceed amount of $225,000 for fiscal year 2020.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution