HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2016 Item 10 Authorize the City Manager to approve continued consultant services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Meeting Date: 2/16/2016
FROM: Monica Irons, Human Resources Director
Prepared By: Amy Fletcher, Human Resources Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE CONTINUED
CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to approve up to $100,000 in continued consultant services with
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) in fiscal year 2015-16 as necessary to provide labor relations
and specialized employment services.
DISCUSSION
In August 2005 the City Council authorized distribution of a request for proposals for labor
relations services, Specification Number 90597 and authorized the City Manager to award the
initial contract. In November 2005, the City Manager approved a contract with LCW to provide
labor relations and negotiations support to the City. Since that time the contract has been
renewed periodically when staff engages LCW in labor negotiations support and reflects the
firm’s current rates for service. LCW is also on the City Attorney’s on-call attorney list for the
categories of Labor Employment, Pension and Benefits Programs as a result of a Request for
Qualifications issued by the City Attorney’s office in 2014.
LCW has provided excellent support in the critical area of labor relations and negotiations during
the past several years. Having continuity from one labor negotiation to the next with the City’s
four represented labor groups has proven to be valuable. In 2014, LCW helped the City transition
to a more proactive labor relations approach by assisting in Council’s development of Labor
Relations Objectives grounded in financial responsibility. LCW provided input and counsel
regarding legislative changes in impasse procedures as well as bargaining and implementation of
lower, second tier retirement formulas. Further, LCW brings a broad perspective as attorneys
with their firm negotiate labor agreements throughout the State of California.
The City’s purchasing policy along with authority provided in the initial authorization for RFP,
provides for the City Manager to approve consultant services with LCW up to $50,000. The City
is currently in negotiations with two of its labor groups and anticipates starting negotiations with
a third labor group in spring of 2016. As a result staff is requesting contracting authority up to a
total of $100,000 to conclude negotiations during fiscal year 2015-16. While it is difficult to
estimate how many negotiation meetings and consultations may be necessary to conclude
negotiations, receiving this authorization from Council allows staff to transfer and encumber the
funds in the event additional meetings are necessary without causing undue delay or disruption to
10
Packet Pg. 207
the negotiations.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Human Resources Administration budget includes $45,000 in funding for labor negotiations
support and staff estimates expenditures of $35,000 through December 31, 2015. The additional
funding is available within existing General Fund budgets. As a result there is no fiscal impact to
this action.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not authorize the City Manager to approve expenditures to LCW up to $100,000 during fiscal
year 2015-16. This alternative is not recommended, as Council would need to authorize any
expenditure above $50,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 which could delay labor negotiations.
10
Packet Pg. 208