TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-556-2521 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Deputy Chief |
TITLE:
title
Approval of Updated On-Call Legal Services Agreement with Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice, LLC
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Police Department requests Council approval to update the City’s existing On-Call Legal Services Agreement with Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice, LLC to incorporate revised hourly rates. Under the current agreement, effective February 8, 2024 through February 8, 2026, the LLC provides as-needed legal services and advice to the City and its departments, including the Police Department. The agreement outlines hourly billing rates for partners, associate attorneys, and legal assistants, as well as reimbursement policies, confidentiality requirements, termination procedures, and the contract’s maximum expenditure threshold of $200,000 without Council authorization. Updating the contract to reflect new rates will allow the City to maintain continuity of legal support while ensuring compensation aligns with current service costs.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
N/A
• Required:
Contract amount requires Council approval.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
Approval of this item will allow the City to update its on-call legal services agreement with Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice to include revised hourly rates once a new contract is finalized and routed. The LLC provides legal services and advice not only to the Police Department but to any City department as needed, ensuring timely access to qualified legal counsel on operational, administrative, and risk-related matters. Updating the agreement will maintain continuity of legal support, uphold existing safeguards such as confidentiality and expenditure limits, and ensure the City can continue to rely on experienced legal guidance as issues arise.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
Services will be used as needed with a maximum threshold of $200,000.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
7/7/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If not approved, the City will continue operating under the existing agreement and will be unable to update the legal services contract rates for use by the Police Department and other City departments.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice Contract Renewal