REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Written Petition (Council Petition 030) Submitted by Councilmember Jain Requesting to Place an Agenda Item at a Future Meeting to Consider a Quarterly Report to Council of Legal Expenses to Outside Law Firms and any Settlement Costs (that can be disclosed) Once Cases are Settled
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Council Policy 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda (Attachment 1) sets forth the procedure for written petitions. Members of the City Council shall use the Council Item Request Form to submit a written request for inclusion of an item on a future City Council agenda. Per the policy, the written request will be submitted on the agenda, in the form substantially provided by the requestor without any staff analysis, including fiscal review, legal review and policy review. If a simple majority of the City Council supports further study of the request, then a full staff analysis shall be prepared within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office has received a Written Petition for Council consideration from Councilmember Jain dated September 12, 2021 (Attachment 2).
There is a policy that the names of legal firms are withheld while cases are pending and not yet settled.
I would like to see a regular (quarterly) report of legal expenses to outside law firms and any settlement costs (that can be disclosed) once cases are settled. It seems to me very difficult to figure out how much money the City is spending on its legal costs. It would be nice to be able to compare our legal costs with neighboring cities.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than administrative staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to agendize.
2. Note and file this report and take no further action.
3. Any other alternative as approved by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff has no recommendation and seeks Council direction.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda
2. Written Petition dated September 12, 2021 from Councilmember Jain