pages: CityCouncil/2005-07-19.pdf, 27
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CityCouncil | 2005-07-19 | 27 | interpretation, the special legal counsel is per matter, which is reasonable; someone can get started on a case; legal matters go by case; the City Attorney would not be hiring one person to do multiple cases. The City Attorney stated it is per matter or item, not per issue, subject, attorney, etc. Mayor Johnson stated reports must not just include litigation; the report the City Attorney provided on outside counsel only included litigation and not other non-litigation issues that outside counsel handle for the City. Councilmember deHaan inquired about the number of cases that hit the $35,000 threshold per year, possibly ten to twelve. The City Attorney responded in the affirmative; stated that she estimates there are about 20 active litigation cases currently. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the 20 cases would reach the $35,000 threshold, to which the City Attorney responded less than that [20 cases]. Councilmember deHaan stated no more than eight to ten cases will hit the $35,000 threshold over a year period of time the vast majority are in the $3,000 to $4,000 bracket; inquired whether the numbers [that will reach $35,000] are low. The City Attorney responded that in trying to get some rational basis to come up with a number, $35,000 is the exact median of the average cost of outside counsel, so half of the cases are below and half are above. Councilmember deHaan disagreed. Mayor Johnson inquired whether the Council received the report that shows the actual amount spent on different litigation cases. The City Attorney responded the report was provided last week. Councilmember deHaan stated the report provided can be fine-tuned and should work fine; that he does not see the number [of cases $35,000 or over] being that great; the Council is allowing 70% of the City Attorney's activity below the threshold; noted that he used the data the City Attorney provided. The City Attorney stated [$35,000] was found to be the median number ; one reason for the reporting to Council is that changes can Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 27 July 19, 2005 | CityCouncil/2005-07-19.pdf |