SR 10-23-2018 3H
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: October 23, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.H
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christina Winting, Acting Director of Human Resources, Human Resources
Department
Subject: Designating City’s Labor Negotiators Under Govt. Code Section 54957.6
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution establishing a standing list of representatives of the City of
Santa Monica designated to participate in Closed Sessions with the City Council
to discuss labor negotiations with certain unions and unrepresented employees.
Summary
California cities are governed by State law that sets out the rules for conducting
negotiations over wages, hours and working conditions with bargaining units
representing public workers. Per the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54957.6,
the City Council designates representatives to participate in closed session with the City
Council to discuss labor negotiations with certain unions and unrepresented employees.
These discussions with Council in closed session allow staff to conduct the City’s labor
relations in a confidential manner. Staff recommends that certain staff members
from the City Manager’s Office and Human Resources Department assigned to
conduct labor relations, and an outside negotiator, be placed on this list.
Discussion
Calif ornia Government Code Section 3500 et seq., commonly known as the
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, provides that public employees have a right to organize
and bargain collectively with local government employers over wages, hours and
other terms and conditions of employment. Government Code Section 54957.6 of
the Brown Act, provides that prior to meeting in closed session with its
negotiators, the local agency must hold an open session in which the agency
identif ies its designated labor representatives. To implement requirements set
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forth in Government Code Section 54957.6, the City seeks to create a standing
list of representatives to participate in closed session with the City Council and
engage in labor negotiations.
The City of Santa Monica has not previously established a standing list of
representatives designated to participate in closed sessions with the City Council
to discuss labor negotiations. Rather, the Human Resources Director has
historically served as the chief negotiator and participated in closed sessions with
the City Council to discuss labor negotiations. Given the recent retirement of
Human Resources Director Donna Peter, Staff is recommending that the Council
designate a slate of City Representatives to include: Christina Winting, Interim
Human Resources Director, Laura Kalty, Outside Counsel at Liebert Cassidy
Whitmore, Lori Gentles, the City’s next Human Resources Director/Chief People
Officer, and Shawn Weiske, Human Resources Manager-Labor and Employee
Relations.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of
recommended action.
Prepared By: Christina Winting, Acting Director of Human Resources
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Resolution - HR - Designate Labor Negotiator - 10232018
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City Council Meeting: October 23, 2018 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DESIGNATING REPRESENTATIVES
TO PARTICIPATE IN CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSIONS
FOR LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
WHEREAS, California Government Code Sections 54954.5(f) and 54957.6 require
the City to provide public notice of representatives attending City Council closed sessions
for labor negotiations by specifying the names of the designated representatives
attending the closed session and the employee organization in question or, for
unrepresented employees, a designation of the unrepresen ted employees who are the
subject of the negotiation; and
WHEREAS, considering recent and forthcoming staffing changes, a standing list
of designated representatives authorized to participate in closed sessions with the City
Council regarding labor negotiations will facilitate transparency and efficiency in providing
the required public notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
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SECTION 1. The following persons are hereby designated to represent the City
in closed session labor negotiations with all bargaining units and recognized employee
organizations of represented and unrepresented employees:
Designated Representatives:
Rick Cole, City Manager
Katie Lichtig, Assistant City Manager
Christina Winting, Interim Director of Human Resources
Shawn Weiske, Human Resources Manager
Laura Kalty, Outside Counsel, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Gigi Decavalles-Hughes, Director of Finance
SECTION 2. Effective December 28, 2018, in addition to the above, the following
person is also designated to represent the City in closed session labor negotiations with
all bargaining units and recognized employee organizations of represented and
unrepresented employees:
Designated Representative:
Lori Gentles, Director of Human Resources
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
LANE DILG
City Attorney
REFERENCE:
Resolution No. 11145
(CCS)