Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the Mayor to execute a Legal Services Agreement with Redwood Public Law LLP, for Richard D. Pio Roda to continue serving as City Attorney, and Kristopher J. Kokotaylo to continue serving as Senior Assistant City Attorney
Staffreport
SUMMARY
It is recommended that the City Council consider adopting a resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Legal Services Agreement with Redwood Public Law LLP, for Richard D. Pio Roda to continue serving as City Attorney, and Kristopher J. Kokotaylo to continue serving as Senior Assistant City Attorney.
BACKGROUND
In April 2013, the City Council appointed Richard D. Pio Roda as City Attorney. At that time, Mr. Pio Roda was a Principal at the Meyers Nave law firm. The City Council first approved an agreement for legal services with Meyers Nave in 1986, and attorneys at the firm have served as City Attorney since then.
Meyers Nave attorneys have thus been providing legal services to San Leandro for many years. Mr. Pio Roda informed the City in February that he and Mr. Kokotaylo, along with other Meyers Nave Principals and attorneys, would be leaving Meyers Nave and forming a new law firm called Redwood Public Law. Redwood Public Law is a law firm that is focused on public agency representation and will include, in addition to Mr. Pio Roda and Mr. Kokotaylo, other attorneys that serve as City Attorneys for cities throughout the Bay Area and in the Sacramento area. The team of public law attorneys that primarily provide legal services to the City will also be joining Redwood Public Law.
Staff brings forward the attached resolution and agreement to authorize legal services to be provided by Redwood Public Law and for Mr. Pio Roda to continue serving as City Attorney and for Mr. Kokotaylo to continue acting as Senior Assistant City Attorney.
Consistent with Section 430 of the San Leandro Charter, the Senior Assistant City Attorney will be Acting City Attorney during any temporary absence or temporary disability of the City Attorney, and shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the City Attorney
Mr. Pio Roda has served as San Leandro’s city attorney for almost 11 years and over that period, Mr. Pio Roda has managed the full range of the City’s legal issues.
Fiscal Impacts
The rates for legal services are unchanged from the existing agreement with Meyers Nave. The total not-to-exceed amount is lower than in the existing agreement. Therefore, there is no projected change to the FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025
Attachments:
A) Resolution Authorizing New Legal Services Agreement
B) Draft Agreement