Sacramento law firm may take over county’s Historic Courthouse litigation

The ongoing legal battle between Lassen County and Ginno Construction over construction issues at the Historic Lassen County Courthouse rises to a new level as the Lassen County Board of Supervisors considers a retainer agreement with the Sacramento law firm Angelo, Kilday and Kilduff to take over the litigation.

According to an Oct. 27 letter from the firm responding to the county’s request for representation included in the agenda packet, “Our fees for services are based upon the attorney performing the work. We charge $250 an hour for our partners and senior counsel, $225 an hour for associates, and $120 an hour for paralegals and law clerks. Although partner Kevin Dehoff will be primarily responsible for advising and representing you in this matter, along with paralegal, Tami Redding, other attorneys and non-attorney personnel may also work on your matters. By this agreement, you obtain the legal services of our law firm rather than a particular attorney.

“We will bill for our time in increments of one-tenth (1/10) of an hour. Time billed includes research and consultation time, time spent in telephone discussions, conferences, analysis, travel time, and time spent in meetings and interviews. We will send you invoices on a monthly basis for services performed and related costs. We expect that our invoices be paid within thirty (30) days of receipt.

“In addition to hourly fees, certain costs may be incurred. These include courier and delivery costs, computerized legal research, travel expense, including mileage, outside copying fees, expert and consultant charges, and miscellaneous expenses. We will not charge for mileage within Sacramento County, however, we will charge attorney travel time both within and outside of Sacramento County. Our hourly rate includes normal expenses for in-office document copying, fax transmissions and telephone charges, and you will not be separately billed for these.”

Other items on the agenda
Closed session
The board meets in closed session to consider five items: A conference with legal counsel regarding a significant exposure to litigation (if needed); a conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation — the National Prescription Opiate Litigation in U.S. District Court, Norther District of Nevada; a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation (HR1); an employee evaluation of the county administrative officer; and a liability claim filed by Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC vs. The Gifford Family Trust, agency claimed against Lassen County,

Matters set for time certain
At 10 a.m. the board will receive a report from Planning and Building Services and determine whether alpaca shall be classified as a small or large livestock animal.

Information/consent calendar
Items on the information and consent calendar include a request from District 4 Supervisor Aaron Albaugh to designate $500 from his discretionary fund to the Lassen County Fair for a picnic table honoring the memory of Claud Neely; a request from District 3 Supervisor Tom Neely to designate $500 from his discretionary fund to the Jolly Elders; and consideration of the appointment of nine members to the Lassen County Local Child Care Planning Council and approval of its certification; the retainer agreement with Angelo, Kilday and Kilduff; minutes of the March 17 meeting; and miscellaneous correspondence items.

Department reports
Planning and Building Services
The board will waive a second reading and adopt an ordinance amending Lassen County Code Chapter 12.36 House Numbering.

Health and Social Services
The board will consider: A $50,376.71 funding agreement between the county and Training Employment, and Community Help, Inc. for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, Round 3; a $53,975.04 agreement between the county and Training Employment, and Community Help, Inc. for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, Round 3; a second $58,589.09 amendment to the agreement between the county and the California Mental Health Services Authority; an agreement between the county and The Department of Health Care Services; the reclassification of two employees with the Community Social Services Department.

Public Works Department
The board will consider a first amendment to the agreement with Hat Creek Construction for the Public Road Crossing Improvement Project on Hackstaff Road.

County Administrative Office
The board will consider a $33,438.39 agreement between the county and the Golden State Finance Authority regarding a Jail Medical Care Feasibility study for the North State Region of California; and a side letter of agreement between the county of Lassen and the Lassen County Management and Professional Association.

Next meeting
The board’s next meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 31.

Click here to see the agenda.