Rental Housing Board Approves Higher Contract Cost for Legal Services

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board increased the amount of its contract with attorneys Goldfarb & Lipman, LLP by $175,000.

The firm provides the Board interim legal services related to the implementation of Measure H charter amendment.

Last June 7, the Board approved an interim contract for Goldfarb & Lipman’s services for $50,000.

“We have not used all of that but we’re getting close. We want to be able to continue. We don’t want an interruption in the services being provided by Goldfarb & Lipman attorneys,” said Board Chair Ryan Bell.

The changes to the price were proposed due to the heavy workload required of the firm to draft necessary rules and regulations related to the enforcement of Measure H charter amendment. 

Bell said attorneys from Goldfarb & Lipman have been working hard to craft resolutions and policies for PRHB.

“Nothing happens here without their counsel and guidance and work,” said Bell.

With the approval, the total amount of the contract with the firm is now at $225,000.

In the meantime, initial payments to Goldfarb & Lipman will be sourced from the $500,000 advanced funding PRHB got from the City Council to cover start-up costs.

Once the PRHB budget is adopted and the Rental Housing Fee is set, it is expected that the costs of the contract will be funded through those rental housing fees. 

Bell said PRHB might need to ask the City Council for additional advance funds. 

“At some point, we will need to ask the City Council for additional advance funds to continue the start up process until we have our first full budget to approve as a Board but we believe at this time based on the current spending, we still have plenty of money in the first $500,000.”

According to Bell, the decision of the Board will go to the City Council for approval just like the previous contract approved by the Board.