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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 CON Schwartz Semerdjian & Moot - Legal ServicesAGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY AND SCHWARTZ SEMERDJIAN CAULEY & MOOT THIS AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES (the "Agreement") entered into this !G 4-k day of November, 2016, is made between THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, a municipal corporation, (the "CITY") and SCHWARTZ SEMERDJIAN CAULEY & MOOT, (the "FIRM"). This Agreement sets forth the parties' mutual understanding concerning legal services to be provided by the FIRM and the fee arrangement for said services. Article 1. Retainer. The CITY hereby retains the FIRM to assist in representing the CITY in connection with two investigations, subject to this Agreement. Article 2. Scope of Services. The CITY shall have the right in its sole discretion to determine the particular services to be performed by the FIRM under this Agreement. These services may include the following: Conduct two investigations in response to recent complaints of harassment received by the City. It is expected that the FIRM will work with the City Attorney and CITY staff. Article 3. follows: Compensation. Compensation paid under this Agreement shall be as Partner: $270.00 per hour Associate: $220.00 per hour A. The CITY has appropriated or otherwise duly authorized the payment of an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 for legal services and out-of-pocket disbursements pursuant to this Agreement. In no event shall the total fees plus out-of-pocket disbursements exceed this amount without written authorization of the CITY. The CITY and the FIRM may agree to a lesser amount for individual projects within the Scope of Services. B. The FIRM shall keep the CITY advised monthly as to the level of attorney hours and client services performed under Article 2. The FIRM will not charge the CITY for travel time; however, the FIRM may charge for work performed for the CITY during any travel time. C. The CITY further agrees to reimburse the FIRM, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article, for telephone, fax, mail, messengers, federal express deliveries, document reproduction, client -requested clerical overtime, lodging, and similar out- of-pocket expenses charged by the FIRM as a standard practice to its clients generally, with the exception of travel and meals. In any billing for disbursements, the FIRM shall provide the CITY with a statement breaking down the amounts by category of expense. The following items shall not be reimbursed, unless the CITY has specifically agreed otherwise: (1) Word Processing, clerical or secretarial charges, whether expressed as a dollar disbursement or time charge. 1 City of National City and Schwartz Semerdjian Legal Services Agreement (2) Storage of open or closed files, rent, electricity, local telephone, postage, receipts or transmission of telecopier documents, or any other items traditionally associated with overhead. (3) Photocopy charges in excess of $.15 (fifteen cents) per page. (4) Auto mileage rates in excess of the rate approved by the Internal Revenue Service for income tax purposes. (5) Secretarial overtime. Where case requirements demand overtime, the CITY will consider reimbursement on a case -by -case basis. The CITY will not reimburse overtime incurred for the convenience of the FIRM's failure to meet deadlines known in advance. (6) Equipment, books, periodicals, research materials, Westlaw/Lexis (7) Express charges, overnight mail charge, messenger services or the like, without the CITY's prior consent. The CITY expects these expenses to be incurred in emergency situations only. Where case necessity requires the use of these services, the CITY will consider reimbursement on a case -by -case basis. (8) Travel and meals. (9) Late payment charge and/or interest. Due to the nature of the CITY's payment process, the CITY will not pay any late charges or interest charges to bills. Every effort will be made to pay bills promptly. D. Bills from the FIRM should be submitted to George H. Eiser, III, Interim City Attorney, 1243 National City Boulevard, National City, CA 91950-4301. The individual time and disbursement records customarily maintained by the FIRM for billing evaluation and review purposes shall be made available to the CITY in support of bills rendered by the FIRM. E. The FIRM agrees to forward to the CITY a bill for each one -month period of services under this Agreement, and the CITY agrees to compensate the FIRM on this basis.. F. Billing Format. Each billing entry must be complete, discrete and or like items. appropriate. (1) Complete. (a) Each entry must name the person or persons involved. For instance, telephone calls must include the names of all participants. (b) The date the work was performed must be included. (c) The hours should be billed in .10 hour increments. (d) The specific task performed should be described, and the related work product should be reference ("telephone call re: trial brief," "interview in preparation for deposition"). (e) should be included The biller's professional capacity (partner, associate) (2) Discrete: Each task must be set out as a discrete billing entry; neither narrative nor block billing is acceptable. (3) Appropriate (a) The CITY does not pay for clerical support, administrative costs, overhead costs, outside expenses or excessive expenses. For example, the CITY will not pay for secretarial time, word processing time, air conditioning, rental of equipment, including computers, meals served at meetings, postage, online research, or the overhead costs of sending or receiving faxes. Neither will the CITY pay for outside expenses such as messenger delivery 2 City of National City and Schwartz Semerdjian Legal Services Agreement l fees, outside photocopying, videotaping of depositions, investigative services, outside computer litigation support services, or overnight mail. (b) Due to the nature of the CITY's payment process, the CITY will not pay any late charges. Every effort will be made to pay bills promptly. G. Staffing. Every legal matter should have a primarily responsible attorney and a paralegal assigned. Ultimately, staffing is a CITY decision, and the CITY's representative may review staffing to insure that it is optimal to achieve the goals of the engagement at the least cost. Once an attorney is given primary responsibility for an engagement, that person should continue on the legal matter until the matter is concluded or the attorney leaves the FIRM. Article 4. Independent Contractor. The FIRM shall perform services as an independent contractor. It is understood that this contract is for unique professional services. Accordingly, the duties specified in this Agreement may not be assigned or delegated by the FIRM without prior written consent of the CITY. Retention of the FIRM is based on the particular professional expertise of the individuals rendering the services required in the Scope of Services. Article 5. Confidentiality of Work. All work performed by the FIRM including but not limited to all drafts, data, correspondence, proposals, reports, and estimates compiled or composed by the FIRM pursuant to this Agreement is for the sole use of the CITY. All such work product shall be confidential and not released to any third party without the prior written consent of the CITY. Article 6. Compliance with Controlling Law. The FIRM shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies of the federal, state, and local governments as they pertain to this Agreement. In addition, the FIRM shall comply immediately with any and all directives issued by the CITY or its authorized representatives under authority of any laws statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations. The laws of the State of California shall govern and control the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Article 7. Acceptability of Work. The CITY shall decide any and all questions which may arise as to the quality or acceptability of the services performed and the manner of performance, the acceptable completion of this Agreement and the amount of compensation due. In the event the FIRM and the CITY cannot agree to the quality or acceptability of the work, the manner of performance and/or the compensation payable to the FIRM in this Agreement, the CITY or the FIRM shall give to the other written notice. Within ten (10) business days, the FIRM and the CITY shall each prepare a report which supports their position and file the same with the other party. The CITY shall, with reasonable diligence, determine the quality or acceptability of the work, the manner of performance and/or the compensation payable to the FIRM. Article 8. Indemnification. The FIRM agrees to indemnify and hold the CITY and its agents, officers, and employees harmless from and against all claims asserted or liability established for damages or injuries to any person or property, including injury to the FIRM's employees, agents, or officers, which arise from or are connected with or caused by the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of the FIRM and its agents, officers, or employees in performing the work or other obligations under this Agreement, and all expenses of investigating 3 City of National City and Schwartz Semerdjian Legal Services Agreement and defending against same; provided, however, that this indemnification and hold harmless shall not include any claims or liability arising from the established sole negligence or willful misconduct of the CITY, its agents, officers, or employees. Article 9. Insurance. The FIRM shall not commence work under this Agreement until it has obtained all insurance required in this Article with a company or companies acceptable to the CITY. At its sole cost and expense, the FIRM shall take and maintain in full force and effect at all times during the term of this Agreement the following policies of insurance: A. Commercial general liability insurance with a combined single limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000). B. For all of the FIRM's employees which are subject to this Agreement, to the extent required by the State of California, Workers' Compensation Insurance in the amount required by law. C. Errors and omissions insurance in an amount not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per claim. D. All insurance required by express provision of this Agreement shall be carried only in responsible insurance companies licensed to do business in the State of California. The policies carried pursuant to paragraph 9.A above shall name as additional insureds the CITY and its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and representatives. All policies shall contain language, to the extent obtainable, to the effect that: (1) the insurer waives the right of subrogation against the CITY and its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and representatives; (2) the policies are primary and not contributing with any insurance that may be carried by the CITY; and (3) the policies cannot be cancelled or materially changed except after thirty (30) days' notice by the insurer to the CITY by certified mail. The FIRM may effect for its own account insurance not required under this Agreement. Article 10. Drug Free Work Place. The FIRM agrees to comply with the CITY's Drug -Free Workplace requirements. Every person awarded a contract by the CITY for the provision of services shall certify to the CITY that it will provide a drug -free workplace. Any subcontract entered into by the FIRM pursuant to this Agreement shall contain this provision. Article 11. Non -Discrimination Provisions. The FIRM shall not discriminate against any subcontractor, vendor, employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, physical handicap, or medical condition. The FIRM will take positive action to insure that applicants are employed without regard to their age, race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, physical handicap, or medical condition. Such action shall include but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprentice ship. The FIRM agrees to post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment any notices provided by the CITY setting forth the provisions of this non-discrimination clause. Article 12. Effective Date and Term. This Agreement shall be effective upon execution by the FIRM and CITY and continue until written notice of cancellation. This 4 City of National City and Schwartz Semerdjian Legal Services Agreement Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party with sixty (60) days' written notice to the other. Notice of termination by the FIRM shall be given to the City Attorney. Article 13. Notification of Change in Form. The FIRM has the right to effect changes in form including but not limited to: the change in form from a partnership to a professional law corporation; the change in form of any partner or partners from an individual or individuals to a professional law corporation; the change in form of any corporate partner or partners to any individual partners. The CITY shall be promptly notified in writing of any change in form. Article 14. Notices. In all cases where written notice is to be given under this Agreement, service shall be deemed sufficient if said notice is deposited in the United States mail, postage paid. When so given, such notice shall be effective from the date of mailing of the notice. Unless otherwise provided by notice in writing from the respective parties, notices to the Agency shall be addressed to: George H. Eiser, III Interim City Attorney City of National City 1243 National City Boulevard National City, CA 91950-4301 cc: Leslie Deese City Manager City of National City 1243 National City Boulevard National City, CA 91950-4301 Notices to the FIRM shall be addressed to: John S. Moot, Esq. Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Moot 101 West Broadway Suite 810 San Diego, CA 92101 Nothing contained in this agreement shall preclude or render inoperative service or such notice in the manner provided by law. Article 15. Headings. All article headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. Article 16. Miscellaneous Provisions. A. Time of Essence: Time is of the essence for each provision of this Agreement. B. California Law: This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The FIRM covenants and agrees to submit 5 City of National City and Schwartz Semerdjian Legal Services Agreement to the personal jurisdiction of the San Diego Superior Court for any dispute, claim, or matter arising out of or related to this Agreement. C. Integrated Agreement: This Agreement including attachments and/or exhibits contains all of the agreements of the parties and all prior negotiations and agreements are merged in this Agreement. This Agreement cannot be amended or modified except by written agreement, and mutually agreed upon by the CITY and the FIRM. D. Severability: The unenforceability, invalidity, or illegality of any provision of this Agreement shall not render the other provisions unenforceable, invalid, or illegal. E. Waiver: The failure of the CITY to enforce a particular condition or provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that condition or provision or its enforceability. F. Conflict of Interest: During the term of this Agreement, the FIRM shall not perform services of any kind for any person or entity whose interests conflict in any way with those of the CITY. This prohibition shall not preclude the CITY from expressly agreeing to a waiver of a potential conflict of interest under certain circumstances. G. No Obligations to Third Parties. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to confer any rights upon, or obligate any of the parties hereto, to any person or entity other than the parties hereto. H. Construction. The parties acknowledge and agree that (i) each party is of equal bargaining strength, (ii) each party has actively participated in the drafting, preparation and negotiation of this Agreement, and (iii) any rule or construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not apply in the interpretation of this Agreement, or any portions hereof, or any amendments hereto. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written CITY OF NATIONAL CITY SCHWARTZ SEMERDJIAN CAULEY & MOOT •~ B} By: L I Leslie Deese Jo S Moot, Esq. City Manager ' . rtner APPROVED AS TO FORM: By: i1 gOtt- George H. Eiser, III Interim City Attorney 6 City of National City and Schwartz Semerdjian Legal Services Agreement Mayor Ron Morrison Council Members Jerry Cano Alejandra Sotelo-Solis Mona Rios Albert Mendivil TO: FROM: SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA NATIONAL Cirr VAOflA rNCORpoRATED Office of the City Attorney MEMORANDUM Deputy City Clerk Ginny Miller, Legal Assistan Agreement for Legal Servic ith Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Moot Interim City Attorney George H. Eiser, III Senior Assistant City Attorney Nicole Pedone Deputy City Attorney Roberto M. Contreras DATE: January 10, 2017 Attached for your files, is a fully -executed original of the Agreement for Legal Services dated November 16, 2016 between the City of National City and the law firm of Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Moot. They have already been provided with an original for their files. Thank you. Attachment 1243 National City Boulevard; National City, California 91950-4397 Tel.: (619) 336-4220 Fax: (619) 336-4327