08 Greg Sellers Associates
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City Hall
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014-3255
Telephone: (408) 777-3220
Fax: (408) 777-3366
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CUPEIQ1NO
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SUMMARY
Agenda Item No: t5
Meeting Date: March 7, 2006
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Approve the First Amendment Agreement for Profession Services with Greg Sellers Associates
regarding Tax Equity Allocation (TEA) legislation.
BACKGROUND
Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno and Saratoga represent the four "low/no tax cities" in
Santa Clara County. In the late 1980's, legislation limited our four jurisdictions to 55% of what
other lowlno tax cities in the State received fÌ"om property tax due to county trial court funding
costs.
In May of 2004, these four cities contracted with Greg Sellers Associates to pursue restoration of
the TEA formula to 100%. This project includes working with the County and our Legislators to
modify current Revenue and Taxation Code. The amendment before you extends this original
agreement and addresses phase two of the project (See Appendix A).
FISCAL IMPACT
Execution of this amendment will require a General Fund budget adjustment of $16,960. If the
consultant is successful, an additional "success fee" of $32,000 will be due and payable.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the First Amendment Agreement for Profession Services with
Greg Sellers Associates regarding Tax Equity Allocation (TEA) legislation.
Submitted by:
Approved for submission:
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David W. Knapp
City Manager
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Carol A. Atwood
Director of Administrative Services
Printed on Recycled Paper
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FIRST AMENDED AGREEMENT
FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
This First Amended Agreement for Professional Services ("Agreement") is made and
entered into effective March 1, 2006, by and between the City of Cupertino, Town of Los Altos
Hills, City of Monte Sereno and City of Saratoga, municipaJ"corporations, hereinafter referred to
as "CITIES", and Greg Sellers, hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT". This Agreement
amends and replaces in its entirety the Agreement between CITIES and CONSULTANT entered
into November 9,2005.
RECITALS
A. CITIES desire to retain CONSULTANT for certain professional services as set forth in
this Agreement.
B. CONSULT ANT is specially trained, experienced and competent to perfonn the special
services which will be required by this Agreement.
C. CONSULT ANT possesses the skill, ability, background, certification and knowledge to
provide the services described in this Agreement on the tenns and conditions described
herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals and the mutual promises contained
herein, CITIES and CONSULTANT agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Employment of CONSULTANT: CITIES agree to, and hereby do, retain and employ
CONSULTANT to perfonn the professional services as outlined in the Scope of Work
attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A". CONSULTANT'S work product
shall be perfonned pursuant to generally accepted standards of practice in effect at the
time of perfonnance.
2. Respon~ible Personnel: CITIES have relied upon the professional training and ability of
CONSULT ANT to perfonn the services hereunder as a material inducement to enter into
this Agreement. The primary personnel responsible for the completion of the work
described in this Agreement shall be Greg Sellers.
3. Scope of Work: CONSULTANT shall perfonn the services as specified in Exhibit A in a
professional manner.
4. Term: The services of CONSULTANT are to commence effective March 1,2006 and
shall continue until the earlier of (i) October 31, 2006, (ii) the date that the legislation that
is described in Exhibit A is signed by the Governor or allowed to become law without the
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Governor's signature, or (iii) at the close of the 2005-2006 Legislative Session if the
legislation described in Exhibit A has not been adopted by the Legislature. Time is of the
essence in the performance of this Agreement. No waiver by either party hereto of the
nonperformance or any breach of any term, provision, or condition of this Agreement, or
any default hereunder shall be considered to be or operate as a waiver of any subsequent
nonperformance, breach or default and no waiver by any party shall be attributable to any
other party.
5. Compensation: CONSULTANT shall accept compensation for services performed as
set forth in Section 3 in an amount not to exceed $4,000 per month. The total amount
paid shall not exceed $32,000 except as described below. Each City/Town shall be
responsible for a share of the monthly cost as follows:
City
Cupertino
Saratoga
Los Altos Hills
Monte Sereno
Percentage Share
53%
30%
10%
8%
Monthlv Amount
$2,111
$1,190
$ 389
$ 310
In addition, in reflection of the low rate charged by consultant for the services described
in Exhibit A and as an incentive for effective performance, CONSULTANT shall be paid
a success fee of $50,000 if the legislation described in Exhibit A becomes law during the
term of this Agreement. Each City/Town shall pay its share of the success fee in the
percentage shown above within 45 days of the date on which the City/Town receives its
first payment of funds pursuant to the legislation described in Exhibit A. No City/Town
shall be responsible for the monthly payment share or success fee share of any other
City/Town. Periodic payments to CONSULTANT shall be made upon submittal of
invoices by CONSULTANT to each City/Town for review and approval by the City
Manager. Invoices will be paid by CITIES within a reasonable time after the invoices are
received and approved.
6. Indemnity: CONSULT ANT shall hold harmless, indemnify and defend CITIES and
each of them, their elective and appointive boards, commissions, officers, agents,
servants, volunteers, and employees from and against any and all claims, costs, damages,
liability, losses, or suits (including court costs and attorney fees) for personal injury
(including death), property damage and any other damages of any sort whatsoever,
arising out of, or alleged to have arisen out of, the willful or negligent acts, errors, or
omissions of CONSULTANT or CONSULTANT'S contractors, subcontractors, agents,
or employees in the performance of this Agreement. This indemnity shall not apply to
any claims brought by CONSULTANT for default of this Agreement, or for claims
brought by CITIES or any of them or any third party where the underlying injury or
damage is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to arise solely from the
negligent or willful misconduct of CITIES or any of them.
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7. Termination: This Agreement may be terminated by the CITIES immediately for cause
or by either party without cause upon fifteen days' written notice of termination. Upon
termination, CONSULT ANT shall be entitled to compensation for the portion of the
month in which the termination occurs grior to the date of termination (e.g., if
termination become effective on the 15 day of a month with 30 days, CONSULTANT
shall be entitled to one half the monthly compensation). In the event of termination,
CONSULTANT shall deliver or otherwise make available to CITIES, all research data
reports, estimates, summaries, and other such information and materials as may have
been accumulated by CONSULT ANT in performing this Agreement, whether completed
or in process in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement.
8. Documents: All plans, studies, documents, charts, computations, and electronic files
prepared by and for CONSULTANT, its officers, employees and agents and
subcontractors in the course of implementing this Agreement, except working notes and
intemal documents, shall become the property of the CITIES upon final payment to
CONSULT ANT for such work, and the CITIES shall have the sole right to use such
materials in its discretion without further compensation to CONSULTANT or to any
other party. CONSULTANT shall, at CONSULTANT'S expense, provide such reports,
plans, studies, documents and other writings to CITIES upon written request upon
expiration or termination of this Agreement.
9. Independent Contractor: CONTRACTOR is an independent contractor retained by
CITIES to perform the work described herein. All personnel employed by
CONSULTANT are not and shall not be deemed to be employees of CITIES.
CONSULTANT shall obtain no rights to retirement benefits, workers compensation
benefits or other benefits that accrue to CITIES' employees, and CONSULTANT hereby
expressly waives any claim it may have to such rights. CONSULT ANT shall comply
with all state and federal laws pertaining to employment and compensation of its
employees and its agents, including the provision of Workers' Compensation.
10. Licenses: CONSULTANT represents and warrants to CITIES that it has all licenses,
permits, qualifications, insurance and approvals of whatsoever nature which are legally
required of CONSULTANT to practice its profession. CONSULT ANT represents and
warrants to CITIES that CONSULTANT shall, at its sole cost and expense, keep in effect
or obtain at all times during the term ofthis Agreement, any licenses, permits, insurance
and approvals which are legally required of CONSULTANT to practice its profession.
1 I. Assignment: The parties recognize that a substantial inducement to CITIES for entering
into this Agreement is the professional reputation, experience and competence of
CONSULT ANT. Assignments of any or all rights, duties or obligations of the
CONSULTANT under this Agreement will be permitted only with the express consent of
the CITIES. CONSULTANT shall not subcontract any portion of the work to be
performed under this Agreement without the written authorization of the CITIES. If the
CITIES consent to such subcontract, CONSULTANT shall be fully responsible to
CITIES for all acts or omissions of the subcontractor. Nothing in this Agreement shall
create any contractual relationship between CITIES and subcontractor nor shall it create
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any obligation on the part of the CITIES to payor to see to the payment of any monies
due to any such contractor other than as otherwise required by law.
12. Binding on Successors: This Agreement is binding on the heirs, successors and assigns
of the parties hereto.
13. Amendment: This Agreement may be amended, modifi~ or changed by the parties,
provided that said Agreement, modification or change is in writing and approved by the
authorized representative of the parties.
14. Applicable Law and Attorney's Fees: This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of California, and any action brought relating to
this Agreement shall be held exclusively in a state court in the County of Santa Clara.
Should any legal action be brought by a party for breach of this Agreement or to enforce
any provision of the Agreement, the prevailing party of such action shall be entitled to
recover its reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney fees.
15. Entire Agreement: This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the
parties with respect to the subject matter herein. There are no representations,
agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between or among the parties
relating to the subject matter of this Agreement which are not fully expressed herein. The
drafting and negotiation of this Agreement have been participated in by each of the
parties and/or their counsel, and for all purposes this Agreement shall be deemed to have
been drafted jointly by all parties.
16. Waiver: Waiver of a breach or default under this Agreement shall not constitute a
continuing waiver of a subsequent breach of the same or any other provision under this
agreement.
17. Severability: If any tenn or portion of this Agreement shall be held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
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WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement is executed by CITIES and by CONSULT ANT as set
forth below.
CONSULTANT:
Greg Sellers
CITIES:
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
By: Greg Sellers, Sellers Associates
By: Breene Kerr, Mayor
CITIES:
CITY OF CUPERTINO
CITIES:
CITY OF MONTE SERENO
By: Mark Brodsky, Mayor
By: Richard Lowenthal, Mayor
CITIES:
CITY OF SARATOGA
By: Nonnan Kline, Mayor
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EXHIBIT A
February 22, 2006
TO: Representatives of Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Saratoga and Monte Sereno
FR: Greg Sellers, Sellers Associates
RE: Proposal to recover TEA funds for West Valley cities-phase 2
It has been my pleasure to have worked with each of your cities these past three months.
We have made significant progress. We stand poised to receive support rrom the County
later this month, and we have developed an Assembly bill, AB 117, that is moving
through the legislature.
My first phase of work included three key elements:
· A strategy for approaching the County that will get their attention and help find
common ground;
· The development of an effective legislative component;
· A grass roots element that will develop community support and echo the concerns
expressed by community leaders.
In order to complete our work, our focus will need to shift to the legislative component.
Here is what I propose as the main elements of a "Phase 2" contract:
· Confirming the support of the County and coordinating with them in the
development and passage oflegislation;
· Development and implementation of an effective legislative strategy to ensure AB
117 is passed by more than 2/3rds of the Legislature and signed by the Governor;
· Expansion of a grass roots element that will develop community support and
generate positive publicity for the TEA proposal.
Please consider this proposal as part of each individual city's agreement, which will need
to be passed by each city. I will distribute invoices to each city according to our new
agreement.
Thank you again for the opportunity to work with each of your cities, I look forward to
completing our work on this project and finally delivering 100% of your TEA funding.
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