Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, September 05, 2017
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
AWARD OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION DEFENSE ATTORNEY SERVICE CONTRACT FOR FY 2017/18, FY 2018/19 AND FY 2019/20 (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The City is self-insured for its Workers' Compensation Program and contracts with a third party administrator ("TPA") to administer the self-insured workers' compensation program. The City contracts separately with a law firm to defend the City against litigated workers' compensation claims. Staff is seeking new defense attorneys to provide legal defense against litigated workers' compensation claims. Request for Proposals ("RFP") were sent out on May 11, 2017 (Exhibit 1).
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. AWARD a three-year contract for workers' compensation defense attorney services with two one-year City renewal options to both the Law Office of Bradford & Barthel, LLP and Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi from September 1, 2017 to September 1, 2020 and should the City exercise both one-year options the agreements has the potential of reaching September 1, 2022, and
2. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the contract after approval as to form by the City Attorney and AUTHORIZE the City Manager to execute each of the optional extensions in one year increments.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
1. SELECT another firm as the City's worker compensation defense attorney.
2. REJECT the proposals and DIRECT staff to reissue the RFP.
3. TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Human Resources/Risk Management is concerned about the current defense attorney's lack of aggressive legal defense and timely bringing litigation matters to conclusion. Consequently, staff sent out Request for Proposals ("RFP") through the City's online bidding site ("Planet Bids") and published the RFP in OUR WEEKLY. The RFP was opened on May 11, 2017 and emailed to 13 firms. The City received eight 8 responses.
The 8 la...
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