HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.4 Amendment to the Agreement with Civica Law Group, APC for Special Counsel Legal Services Agenda Item 5.4
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
Page 1 of 2
DATE: October 6, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Amendment to the Agreement with Civica Law Group, APC for Special
Counsel Legal Services
Prepared by: Amy Million, Community Development Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider approving an amendment to the agreement with Civica Law
Group, APC for special counsel legal services related to code enforcement activities.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution Approving the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Civica Law
Group, APC for Special Counsel Legal Services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with enforcing the Dublin Municipal Code are borne by the General
Fund, although the City may recover certain enforcement costs from responsible parties. The
proposed contract amendment would establish a contract amount of $310,000 for the period of
July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. Sufficient funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27
Budget to accommodate the proposed increase.
DESCRIPTION:
Background
The City utilizes consultants, including legal counsel, on an as -needed basis to assist Staff
with specific areas of technical expertise. The City has an existing agreement with Civica Law
Group, APC to provide special legal counsel, representation, and assistance with code
enforcement matters. While the agreement is currently in effect, the compensation under the
agreement has a not-to-exceed limit of $800,000 through June 30, 2026. Because of litigation
related to ongoing code enforcement activity, Staff is proposing to allocate an additional
amount of $310,000 through June 30, 2028.
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Page 2 of 2
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Resolution Approving the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Civica Law Group,
APC for Special Counsel Legal Services
2) Exhibit A to the Resolution – Fourth Amendment to the Agreement Between Civica Law
Group, APC and the City of Dublin for Special Counsel Legal Services
3) Original Agreement with Civica Law Group, APC for Special Counsel Legal Services, and
First, Second, and Third Amendments
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Attachment 1
Reso. No. XX-26, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2026 Page 1 of 1
RESOLUTION NO. XX – 26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
APPROVING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH CIVICA LAW GROUP,
APC
FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin has an existing agreement with Civica Law Group, APC for special
counsel legal services, representation, and assistance related to code enforcement matters; and
WHEREAS, the City has a continued need for special counsel legal services that exceeds the
current contract limit due to active code enforcement activity; and
WHEREAS, the current contract has a not-to-exceed amount of $800,000 for the period of July
1, 2024 to June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Fourth Amendment to the agreement establishes a not-to-exceed amount of
$310,000 for the period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028 .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dublin City Council does hereby approve the
Fourth Amendment to the agreement with Civica Law Group, APC, attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
“Fourth Amendment”).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized to execute the Fourth
Amendment and make any necessary, non-substantive changes to carry out the intent of this
Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY the City Council of the City of Dublin, on this 6th
day of October, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk
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Page 1 of 2
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN CIVICA LAW GROUP,
APC AND THE CITY OF DUBLIN
FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES
1.PARTIES AND DATE.
This Fourth Amendment to the agreement for services (“Amendment”) by and
between the CITY OF DUBLIN (“City”), and CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC, a California
Professional Corporation engaged in the practice of law in the State of California (“Law
Firm”) is entered into as of October 6, 2026. Law Firm and the City are sometimes
individually referred to herein as “Party” and collectively as “Parties.” In consideration of
the mutual promises set forth herein, the parties agree to the terms of this Agreement as
set forth herein.
2.RECITALS.
2.1 The City and Law Firm entered into an Agreement on March 1, 2023
(“Agreement”), whereby, Law Firm agreed to provide legal services to the City.
2.2 The City and Law Firm amended the Agreement on August 15, 2023, to
increase the contract limit.
2.3 The City and Law Firm amended the Agreement on May 21, 2024, to
increase the contract limit.
2.4 The City and Law Firm amended the Agreement on July 1, 2025, to
increase the contract limit.
2.5 The City and Law Firm now desire to amend the Agreement to increase the
contract limit.
3. TERMS.
3.1
a.Section 3.3 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows: For
all legal services provided in this Agreement, the City will compensate Law Firm at the
blended rate of $325 per hour for attorney representation and $199 per hour for paralegals
and law clerks, which fees shall increase by up to five percent on January 1 of each year,
rounded up to the nearest dollar, to offset rising costs. The attorney’s fees to Law Firm
beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, shall not exceed $310,000 without
approval of the City.
3.2 Continuing Effect of Agreement. Except as amended by this Amendment,
all provisions of the Agreement and and all previous amendments shall remain
unchanged and in full force and effect. From and after the date of this
Amendment, whenever the term “Agreement” appears in the Agreement, it shall mean
the Agreement, as amended by this Fourth Amendment to the Agreement. Said
Agreement is and remains an effective, valid and binding obligation.
[Signatures on following page.]
Attachment 2
Exhibit A to the Resolution
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Page 2 of 2
CITY OF DUBLIN,
a Municipal Corporation
By:
Colleen Tribby
City Manager
Approved as to form:
REDWOOD PUBLIC LAW, LLP
a Professional Corporation
By:
John Bakker, Esq.
City Attorney
CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC
By:
Matthew Silver, Esq.
Managing Partner
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Attachment 3
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Page 1 of 2
SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC
AND THE CITY OF DUBLIN
FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES
1. PARTIES AND DATE.
This Second Amendment to the agreement for services (“Amendment”) by and between
the CITY OF DUBLIN (“City”), and CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC, a California Professional
Corporation engaged in the practice of law in the State of California (“Law Firm”) is entered into
as of May 21, 2024. Law Firm and the City are sometimes individually referred to herein as
“Party” and collectively as “Parties.” In consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, the
parties agree to the terms of this Agreement as set forth herein.
2. RECITALS.
2.1 The City and Law Firm entered into an Agreement on March 1, 2023
(“Agreement”), whereby, Law Firm agreed to provide legal services to the City.
2.2 The City and Law Firm amended the Agreement on August 15, 2023 increase the
contract limit.
2.3 The City and Law Firm now desire to amend the Agreement to provide for a
contract limit for a two year contract period.
3. TERMS.
3.1 Contract Changes. The Agreement is amended as provided herein.
a. Section 3.3 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows: For all legal
services provided in this Agreement, the City will compensate Law Firm at the blended rate of
$294 per hour for attorney representation and $180 per hour for paralegals and law clerks, which
fees shall increase by up to five percent on January 1 of each year, rounded up to the nearest dollar,
to offset rising costs. The attorney’s fees to Law Firm for fiscal year 2023-2024 shall be increased
by $20,000 to a total of $205,000, and beginning July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, shall not
exceed $400,000 without approval of the City.
3.2 Continuing Effect of Agreement. Except as amended by this Amendment, all
provisions of the Agreement and First Amendment shall remain unchanged and in full force and
effect. From and after the date of this Amendment, whenever the term “Agreement” appears in the
Agreement, it shall mean the Agreement, as amended by this Second Amendment to the
Agreement. Said Agreement is and remains an effective, valid and binding obligation.
[Signatures on following page.]
DocuSign Envelope ID: DB763568-660A-46D1-A505-043AD730BF18
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Page 2 of 2
CITY OF DUBLIN,
a Municipal Corporation
By: ____________________________
Linda Smith
City Manager
Approved as to form:
REDWOOD PUBLIC LAW, LLP
a Professional Corporation
By: ____________________________
John Bakker, Esq.
City Attorney
CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC
By: ____________________________
Matthew Silver, Esq.
Managing Partner
DocuSign Envelope ID: DB763568-660A-46D1-A505-043AD730BF18
103
THIRD AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC
AND THE CITY OF DUBLIN
FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES
1. PARTIES AND DATE.
This Third Amendment to the agreement for services (“Amendment”) by and
between the CITY OF DUBLIN (“City”), and CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC, a California
Professional Corporation engaged in the practice of law in the State of California (“Law
Firm”) is entered into as of July 1, 2025. Law Firm and the City are sometimes individually
referred to herein as “Party” and collectively as “Parties.” In consideration of the mutual
promises set forth herein, the parties agree to the terms of this Agreement as set forth
herein.
2. RECITALS.
2.1 The City and Law Firm entered into an Agreement on March 1, 2023
(“Agreement”), whereby, Law Firm agreed to provide legal services to the City.
2.2 The City and Law Firm amended the Agreement on August 15, 2023, to
increase the contract limit.
2.3 The City and Law Firm amended the Agreement on May 21, 2024, to
increase the contract limit.
2.4 The City and Law Firm now desire to amend the Agreement to increase the
contract limit.
3. TERMS.
3.1 Contract Changes. The Agreement is amended as provided herein.
a. Section 3.3 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows: For
all legal services provided in this Agreement, the City will compensate Law Firm at the
blended rate of $309 per hour for attorney representation and $189 per hour for paralegals
and law clerks, which fees shall increase by up to five percent on January 1 of each year,
rounded up to the nearest dollar, to offset rising costs. The attorney’s fees to Law Firm
beginning July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, shall not exceed $800,000 without
approval of the City.
3.2 Continuing Effect of Agreement. Except as amended by this Amendment,
all provisions of the Agreement and First Amendment shall remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. From and after the date of this Amendment, whenever the term
“Agreement” appears in the Agreement, it shall mean the Agreement, as amended by this
Second Amendment to the Agreement. Said Agreement is and remains an effective, valid
and binding obligation.
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Page 2 of 2
[Signatures on following page.]
CITY OF DUBLIN,
a Municipal Corporation
By: ____________________________
Colleen Tribby
City Manager
Approved as to form:
a Professional Corporation
By: ____________________________
John Bakker, Esq.
City Attorney
By: ____________________________
Matthew Silver, Esq.
Managing Partner
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