COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: Mitch Kalauli, City Magistrate
SUBJECT:Title
Approve Professional Services Agreement with Whitney & Whitney PLLC for Public Defender Services (Mitchell Kalauli)
Body
FUNDING SOURCE:
General Fund
PURPOSE:
Approve agreement to provide legal representation for indigent defendants and Veteran’s Treatment Court participants for up to five (5) years commencing September 16, 2018.
BACKGROUND:
The City entered into a Professional Services Contract for public defender legal services with Whitney & Whitney effective July 1, 2017 (Contract). The Contract was for a one-year term with a termination date of June 30, 2018. The Contract payment was not to exceed $170,000. At the city council meeting on August 14, 2018, Whitney & Whitney agreed to the extension of the Contract to September 15, 2018.
Although these services are considered a specialized service under the Exception Section of the Procurement Code (§ 3.10.010.5.A.3) and do not require a competitive solicitation, staff solicited Letters of Interest. The City received six responses to the Letter of Interest and selected Whitney & Whitney as the preferred firm.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Providing quality legal services to indigent defendants and Veteran’s Treatment Court participants improves the lives of those who qualify for those services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds in the amount of $200,000 are available in the General Fund Municipal Court budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19.
ATTACHMENTS:
Professional Services Agreement
SUGGESTED MOTION:Recommendation
I move to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Whitney & Whitney PLLC for Public Defender Services and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.