DOWNEY - The city of Downey has hired the law firm of Rutan & Tucker LLP to represent the city as it negotiates a real estate deal for a Fiat dealership on Firestone Boulevard.The deal with Rutan & Tucker, approved by the City Council on Tuesday, also calls for the firm to offer legal services related to the potential elimination of redevelopment agencies as part of state budget cuts and "wind down" services associated with The View affordable housing development downtown. Rutan & Tucker will be paid an hourly rate of $260. The total contract cost was not available but city officials said "it is expected that the cost of legal services will not exceed the amounts budgeted in the current...legal budgets." The deal was approved 4-0 with Councilman Fernando Vasquez abstaining. Rutan & Tucker was already representing Downey in a lawsuit against Los Angeles County and the County Flood Control District.

********** Published: April 14, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 52