Discuss Criminal Prosecution Services Contract

The City Attorney contract for criminal prosecution legal services has been in place for 3 years.  The current contract expired on July 1st, 2016, but can be extended indefinitely under a 30-day termination provision.  The City has had a long-standing legal services arrangement with Bill Goodrich for over 30 plus years and Mr. Goodrich has re-submitted to continue the prosecution services contract at the current retainer rates through December 31, 2017.  The City contracts civil legal services with the firm Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney whose contract expires December 31, 2017.

Staff recommends offsetting the expiration dates for civil and criminal legal services contracts.  Staff proposes a one-year extension of the contract with Bill Goodrich for criminal prosecutions with a expiration of June 30th, 2017.

The City policy is to review outside professional contracts on a 3-5 year basis.  The last city council review of legal services was in 2013.   

The general fund expenditures for the last 3 years for legal services are as follows:

2013:   Civil:   $52,509
       Criminal:  $74,285
          Total:  $126,794
   
2014:  Civil:    $50,397
       Criminal:  $71,944
          Total:  $122,341

2015:  Civil:     $56,497
        Criminal: $69,858
           Total: $126,355

30 Minutes

Proposed contract has no increase or budget impact.

Chief Katers

Discussion of Current Prosecution Contract with the recommendation of offsetting the expiration dates for civil and criminal legal services contracts.  Staff proposes a one-year extension of the contract with Bill Goodrich for criminal prosecutions with a expiration of June 30th, 2017.