SR-6I (28)
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KB kb f \person mlsc\councll\counCI22 Santa MOnica, CalIfornia APR 0 8 1997
Council Meetmg Apnl 8, 1997
,
TO Mayor and City Council
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT Recommendation to Authonze City Manager to Execute an Agreement with
Liebert, CassIdy & Fnerson to ProvIde Legal ServIces Relating to Employer-
Employee Relations Matters
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to obtain legal
services from Liebert, CassIdy & Frierson with regard to employer-employee relatIons
matters for an amount not to exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year 1996-97
BACKGROUND
The City contracts for legal services with regard to vanous employer-employee relations
matters, including representation of the CIty In dIsciplinary appeals heanngs before the
Personnel Board Liebert, Cassidy & Fnerson IS one of the firms which provides such
servIces It was selected based on ItS competitive hourly rate and ItS extensive expenence
and expertise In the area of pubhc sector employer-employee relations and employment
law
Various City departments use the services of liebert, CaSSIdy & Frierson for representation
In employee disciplinary actions and appeals In the past, the services provided by Liebert,
6I081m
Cassidy & Fnerson have not exceeded the $50,000 limit placed on professional service
agreements which do not reqUIre City Council approval In FY96-97, as In FY 95-96, there
have been an unantIcipated number of disciplinary appeals hearings, some of which have
been very lengthy As a result, the total charges for the services of Liebert, CassIdy &
Fnerson Will exceed $50,000 for FY96-97 The amount needed to pay for service already
provided, current work In progress and possible additional service needs for the remainder
of fiscal year would bnng the City-wide expenses up to a total of $100,000 for FY96-97
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Each department pays for legal services associated with grievances and disciplinary
actions within their department Funds are budgeted In various departmental accounts to
cover the cost of the services provided by Liebert, Cassidy & Fnerson When an inVOice
must be paid, each department wlllldentrfy an appropriate account to charge
RECOMMENDA liON
It IS recommended that the City Council authonze the City Manager to obtain legal services
from Liebert, CaSSidy & Frierson with regard to employer-employee relations matters In an
amount not to exceed $100,000 for FY96-97
Prepared by Karen Bancroft, DIrector of Personnel
Marsha Moutne, City Attorney
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