SR-12-15-2015-8C
City Council
Report
City Council Special Meeting: December 15, 2015
Agenda Item: 8.C
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Cole, City Manager, City Manager's Office, Administration
Subject: Review and Approval of Proposed Scope of Work by Outside Advisor
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional service
agreement with Hueston Hennigan, LLP, a California-based Corporation, in an
amount not to exceed $420,000 (includes a 5% contingency).
2. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
section of this report.
Executive Summary
On November 10, 2015, in the context of good governance practices, Council selected
John Hueston of Hueston Hennigan, LLP to serve as an outside advisor to conduct a
review of local government best practices. The outside advisor will conduct an
independent and balanced review of city practices and how they align with good
governance principles of accountability, transparency, responsiveness, and the highest
ideals of public service. proposed scope of work is submitted for
Council review and approval.
Discussion
On September 29, 2015, Council directed the City Manager to seek proposals from
outside advisors to conduct an independent and balanced review of City practices and
how they align with good governance principles of accountability, transparency,
responsiveness, and the highest ideals of public service (Attachment A). Staff solicited
proposals from seven firms; six proposals were received. On November 10, 2015,
Council reviewed the six proposals and selected John Hueston of Hueston Hennigan,
LLP to serve as an outside advisor (Attachment B). Mr. Hueston was selected based
on his experience, expertise, and relative cost. Council also asked the City Manager to
work with Mr. Hueston to develop a scope of work for his efforts.
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Mr. Hueston has provided a proposed scope of work for the independent review that
would take place over a 75 to 90 day period (Attachment C). His work would focus on
five phases or areas:
1. Review of events and processes pertaining to the Elizabeth Riel matter
2. Assessment of the Oaks Initiative and efficacy of existing laws, rules and
procedures
3.
4. Drafting a report summarizing the review and recommendations for
implementation of best practices
5. Presentation of findings to Council
The scope of work would be an amount not to exceed $400,000 with a 5% contingency.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The agreement to be awarded to Hueston Hennigan, LLP is for an amount not to
exceed $420,000 (includes a 5% contingency). Award of the agreement requires the
following FY 2015-16 budget changes:
1. Release of fund balance from reserve account 1.380150 (General Fund balance)
of $420,000;
2. Appropriate $420,000 to account 01201.555060.
Prepared By:
Christopher Smith, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
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A. September 29, 2015 Staff Report - Request Authorization to Hire an Outside
Advisor
B. November 10, 2015 Staff Report - Selection of Outside Advisor(s) (hyperlink)
C. Outside Advisor Hueston's Proposed Scope of Work
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Reference:
AgreementNo.
10235
(CCS)