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`EVERETT <br />Project title: Award Request for Proposal #2019-119 Conflict Public Defense Services Roster and Authorize <br />the Mayor to Award and Sign Contracts with Qualified Proposers <br />Agenda dates requested: <br />August 26, 2020 <br />Briefing <br />Proposed action <br />Consent X <br />Action <br />Ordinance <br />Public hearing <br />Yes X No <br />Budget amendment: <br />Yes X No <br />PowerPoint presentation: <br />Yes X No <br />Attachments: <br />Contracts:; 1) Law Offices of <br />Christian W Smith; 2) Law <br />Office of Jamie Kim; 3) John <br />Rongerude PS; 4) Natalya <br />Forbes <br />Location: <br />The City spends approximately $150,000 annually total for Conflict Public Defense <br />Services. This action item will not change the amount of money spent. The action <br />formalizes and improves efficiencies specific to the process of selecting Conflict Public <br />Defense Services. <br />Project summary statement <br />Individuals charged with misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors in the City of Everett <br />are prosecuted in Everett Municipal Court. Most defendants cannot afford an attorney <br />and qualify as "indigent" under state guidelines, and the City must provide these <br />indigent defendants with legal representation at City expense. Almost all of that <br />representation is provided by the City's main indigent defense provider, Everett Law <br />Association. However, there are situations, particularly in cases with multiple criminal <br />defendants, where Everett Law Association by law cannot represent the indigent <br />defendant. In those situations, the City hires alternative lawyers who are sometimes <br />called conflict public defenders. Usually, the City spends about $150,000 on such <br />Conflict Public Defense Services. <br />Departments) involved: <br />Purchasing & Court Request for Proposal #2019419 created a process for pre -qualifying interested <br />attorneys and law firms for Conflict Public Defense Services. Twice a year, or at its sole <br />Contact person: discretion, the City will review submitted proposals for minimum qualifications on a pass <br />Theresa Bauccio-Teschlog or fail basis. Proposers that pass will be sent a contract. Receiving a contract does not <br />guarantee work. The City released RFP 2019-119 on December 24, 2019. Four attorneys <br />Phone number: passed the City's qualifications review process. They are John Rongerude PS, Natalya <br />(425) 257-8901 Forbes, Attorney at Law, Law Office of Christian W. Smith, and Jamie S. Kim PS Inc dba <br />Email: Law Office of Jamie Kim. <br />tbauccio@everettwa.gov This item includes delegating to the Mayor the authority to award and sign future <br />contracts under this RFP, up to a total compensation per contract award not to exceed <br />Initialed by: $50,000 per calendar year, rather than repeatedly bringing City Council a single or series <br />of individual, small contract(s). Total contract awards in 2019 were $137,000. This will <br />11 Department head <br />-- - reduce the timeframe needed to secure an attorney when needed. Attracting attorneys <br />willing to do this work can be challenging and delegating the authority to the Mayor may <br />improve efficiency as we struggle to maintain a list of attorneys willing to provide this <br />Administratio <br />service. <br />Council President <br />Recommendation (exact action requested of Council): <br />Award Request for Proposal #2019-119 Conflict Public Defense Services Roster <br />and Authorize the Mayor to Award and Sign Contracts with Qualified Proposers <br />