EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: December 6, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Valerie J. Armento, Interim City Attorney
BY: Pam Derby, Executive Search Manager, CPS HR Consulting SUBJECT: City Attorney Appointment
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an employment agreement with John D.
Lê for the position of City Attorney.
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 3: Increase Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Background
The City of East Palo Alto authorized a purchase order with CPS HR Consulting to conduct a recruitment for the position of City Attorney on June 29, 2022. This purchase order was previously approved by City Council through an existing contract for on-call recruitment services executed on February 28, 2022.
Following an exhaustive recruitment process, Mr. John Lê has been selected to serve as the next City Attorney for East Palo Alto. Mr. Lê has over 20 years of legal practice in both the private and public sectors, including government service in municipalities such as East Palo Alto, San Jose, and most recently the City of Alameda as its Assistant City Attorney since 2017.
CPS HR Consulting received ten applications for this position and recommended two candidates for Council’s consideration. This employment agreement was negotiated following the satisfactory completion of a comprehensive reference, media, and background check.
The major terms of this agreement include a three-year term; an annual salary of $227,468.84 subject to increases outlined in the agreement; other city allowances and benefits as outlined in the agreement; and a six-month severance for termination without cause.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact for filling position as it has already been budgeted.
Environmental
None.
Attachments
A. Resolution