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Long Beach council approves up to $25,000 to retain appraisal consultant for pending litigation
Summary
The council authorized retention of Standard Valuation Services for valuation and trial‑ready appraisal services not to exceed $25,000. Corporation counsel cautioned that litigation details cannot be discussed in open session; preliminary and trial‑ready appraisals cited at about $8,000 each.
The Long Beach City Council on Oct. 7 approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to retain Standard Valuation Services for real property valuation, trial‑ready appraisals and expert testimony in connection with pending litigation, at a cost not to exceed $25,000.
Deputy corporation counsel Joseph Lupo told the council that the engagement includes trial‑ready appraisals and testimony "not to exceed the cost of $25,000" and cautioned that many specifics are restricted by the pending litigation and better handled in executive session. Lupo said a preliminary appraisal had already been paid and that the preliminary and trial‑ready appraisals were each approximately $8,000.
Council members probed whether lease terms and tax equalization questions (raised by Council member Lester) could be discussed in public; Lupo advised those details may require the tax assessor or an executive session because of the litigation context.
The motion to retain the consultant was moved and adopted by roll call. Staff said the retention follows municipal law constraints on rolling twelve‑month retainers and that council approval is required once a retention would exceed the municipality’s standard cap.
