TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY OF CHINO
FROM: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT
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Approval of City Attorney Agreement Amendment No. 4 with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP.
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement for City Attorney Contractual Services with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP, to revise the applicable compensation rate schedule, effective November 3, 2026; ratify Interim Amendment No. 4, previously approved by the City Manager, with an effective date of November 1, 2026; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City.
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FISCAL IMPACT
No additional appropriation is required. Sufficient Funds have been included in the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES
The recommendation detailed above further the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
• Financial Stability
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Expenditure: 1002010-43500- and other various accounts |
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BACKGROUND
On March 7, 2017, the City of Chino and Aleshire & Wynder, LLP (A&W) entered into an Agreement for Contractual Services for A&W to provide City Attorney services to the City. Over time, the City and A&W have executed three amendments to adjust compensation: Amendment No. 1 on November 3, 2020, to increase applicable compensation rates; Amendment No. 2 on April 4, 2023, to adjust applicable rates; and Amendment No. 3 on September 3, 2024, to adjust applicable rates.
For Fiscal Year 2026-27, the City Manager approved Interim Amendment No. 4, effective October 1, 2026, to address an interim adjustment to the applicable compensation rate schedule for specialized litigation attorney services. This interim amendment is being presented to the City Council for ratification.
The City and A&W are also proposing Amendment No. 4 to revise the applicable compensation rate schedule, with an effective date of November 3, 2026. This amendment is being presented for City Council approval.
The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget, which includes the necessary appropriations for the contractual services described in this report.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The City Attorney provides essential legal counsel, regulatory oversight, and litigation support across all City departments and operations. Maintaining high-quality legal representation requires compensation rates that reflect current market conditions for municipal legal services.
Staff has reviewed the proposed compensation rate adjustments and determined that the updated rates align with current market standards for municipal legal representation in Southern California. Funding for these services has been appropriated in the approved Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget.
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Ratify Interim Amendment No. 4, previously approved by the City Manager, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
2. Approve Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement for Contractual Services with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP, to revise the applicable compensation rate schedule, effective November 1, 2026, which supersedes Interim Amendment No. 4.
Attachments:
Exhibit 1 - Aleshire & Wynder Amendment 4
Exhibit 2 - Aleshire & Wynder Interim Amendment 4