HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1992 0325 CC SPC ITEM 08MMOORPARK 8. M.
799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Donald P. Reynolds Jr., Management
OORPARK, CALIFORN'
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ACTION:
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This proposal was subsequently approved by HUD, and then made an
exhibit to the City's public service contract with CCSLA.
The agreement for services was executed in May, 1991. In preparing
the agreement, staff once again attempted to address how
reimbursement claims would be prepared, and what services the City
would compensate for. The accounting staff of CCSLA requested that
the reimbursement claims reflect the paralegal / "community worker's"
costs, the mileage to and from Oxnard, and the controller's time
putting the data together for making a reimbursement claim. Staff
agreed to this request, because it was the impression of staff that
"comprehensive attorney services" were being provided, just the
cost of these services was structured slightly different than in
the proposal. Essentially, $7,000 is not sufficient to pay for an
attorney to be in Moorpark for this purpose for 32 hours per month,
(this equals roughly $25 /hour, and attorneys range from $95 to $150
per hour).
During the public hearings for the 1991/92 funds, the description
of "staffing costs" was used and there was no mention of
compensation for attorney services. The City appropriated $1,200
to CCSLA— allowing them to continue their program until the 1992/93
funding became available in September of this year. The proposal
for this grant year only allows for reimbursement to be for the
case worker /paralegal, and there is no mention of travel expenses
or the controller's time.
Discussion
Staff has been successful in processing two reimbursement claims
for CCSLA, both representing the three tier reimbursement request
of the "case worker," travel and the controller's time. It was no,
until the reimbursement claim for February 1992, that the County
decided that the reimbursements were inconsistent with the budget
outlined for the program. Staff began to implement what the County
refers to as a minor modification" and then realized that the
Council may perceive the services to be that which direct contact
is made between the Moorpark citizens and an attorney, based on
CCSLA's original presentation to the Council.
Staff contacted CCSLA, and learned that the "case worker" is a
paralegal, and the definition of a "paralegal" is that of being a
research person with attorney support. Without the attorney's
support, this is not a "paralegal." The case worker which comes to
Moorpark researches the relevant case law associated with each
issue, then confers with an attorney. In most cases, an attorney
is not required to meet with the client, but letters in the
client's defense are from an attorney, and if needed, an attorney
will contact the client and in special cases, attend hearings with
them.
This was staff's understanding of the legal services provided by
CCSLA. Legal assistance is being provided by the agency, and the
Moorpark residents are being represented by qualified personnel.
Reimbursement claims demonstrate that an employee of CCSLA is
commuting to Moorpark, and is being compensated by CCSLA for this
time.
Summary
Staff still feels that the intent of CCSLA's contract is being
followed. Therefore, staff has concluded that a minor modification
to the budget will resolve this issue.
Beginning these services became a complicated issue due to many
factors related to developing the first proposal for the service.
CCSLA offered to draft a letter representing these facts, but since
the agency will be represented at the hearing proposed for March
25, 1992, they will be able to personally address any of Council's
concerns at this time.
-- The agency is requesting funding again this year, and a reduction ;
of the appropriation will most likely result in less time spent in
Moorpark providing these services, (from once a week to once every
other week, etc.).
Recommendation
That the City Council receive and file this report.