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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09212010 - C.76RECOMMENDATION(S): CONSENT to a joint representation of Contra Costa County and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Pittsburg by Goldfarb & Lipman LLP in connection with the Woods Grove Project rehabilitation by BRIDGE Housing Corporation. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE County Counsel or her designee to execute the attached acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest and consent to joint representation. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact for this action. BACKGROUND: Over the years, the County has entered into contracts with Goldfarb & Lipman for specialized services in connection with redevelopment projects and certain affordable housing matters. Because Goldfarb & Lipman's concentration of work is in affordable housing and redevelopment, it is not uncommon for the firm to APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 09/21/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Kate Andrus, 925-335-1800 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: September 21, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C.76 To:Board of Supervisors From:Sharon L. Anderson, County Counsel Date:September 21, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:Consent to Joint Representation by Goldfarb & Lipman LLP BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) have an attorney-client relationship with more than one party to a complicated redevelopment or housing transaction. Attached is a letter from Goldfarb & Lipman that describes a current project in which the firm represents the County. The letter also sets forth the attorney-client relationships that could affect the firm’s representation of the County. The proposed conflict waiver is attached to the letter. The potential conflicts relate to Goldfarb & Lipman's representation of the County in a transaction in which a loan will be made by the County to BRIDGE Housing Corporation (“BRIDGE”) using HOME Investment Partnership Program funds while Goldfarb & Lipman is providing legal services (i) to the Pittsburg Redevelopment Agency in connection with the same project, and (ii) to BRIDGE on other matters. Proceeds of the loan will be used by BRIDGE to rehabilitate the Woods Grove Project located in Pittsburg. The Pittsburg Redevelopment Agency is not providing financing for the project, but has consulted with Goldfarb & Lipman on issues related to the project and may in the future seek further representation regarding the project. BRIDGE is an existing client of Goldfarb & Lipman, but will not be represented by Goldfarb & Lipman in this transaction. Staff for the County Conservation & Development Department and the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency have advised that they do not object to the potential conflicts and recommend waiver. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If the conflict waiver is not granted, Goldfarb & Lipman will not be able to continue to represent the County in connection with the loan to BRIDGE and would not be able to represent the Pittsburg Redevelopment Agency in connection with the project. The result would likely be increased costs for the County and the Pittsburg Redevelopment Agency. ATTACHMENTS Conflict Letter 8/23/10