PRESENTER: Presenter
Valeria Acevedo, City Attorney
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a contract and authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with the law firm of Thornton, Biechlin, Reynolds & Guerra, L.C. to represent the City in litigation involving the North Tributary Project, and authorizing the retention of outside experts as needed.
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DEPARTMENT: City Attorney’s Office
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This litigation began in 2014 when the contractor, YC Partners, Ltd d/b/a Yantis Company, sued the City and the City countersued Yantis and the City also brought in the engineering firm of Half Associates, Inc. and C3 Environmental Specialties, L.P. In 2014, the City hired attorney, Brad Sklencar to represent the City due to his construction litigation experience and expertise. Mr. Sklencar was previously a partner at Resnick & Louis, P.C. but he has recently become a partner at Thornton, Biechlin, Reynolds & Guerra, L.C., of San Antonio. This law firm also has offices in Austin, McAllen, and Houston, and it will provide additional litigation staff support and resources.
ISSUE:
Mr. Sklencar has recently become a partner at a different law firm so it is necessary to discontinue the past retention agreement with Resnick & Louis and approve a new contract with Thornton, Biechlin, Reynolds & Guerra, L.C.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is budgeted in the FY 2025 City Attorney’s Office Adopted Budget, therefore sufficient funds are available.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval.