1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Susan Kamada, Administrative Services Director MEETING DATE: November 19, 2024
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Labor Negotiation Services
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement for an amount not to exceed $40,000 for labor negotiation services provided by Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.
BACKGROUND
The City’s current MOU with the Lomita City Employees Association (LCEA) is set to expire on June 30, 2025. It is expected that negotiations could begin early next year.
The LCEA represents 36 members consisting of non-management City staff.
On May 5, 2005, the City entered into an agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) to provide legal services pertaining to employment relations matters.
DISCUSSION
Since 2010, the Assistant City Manager has served as lead labor negotiator on behalf of the City, except for 2019 when an attorney from LCW was appointed. With the pending retirement of the Assistant City Manager, the City reached out to human resources consultants who specialize in labor relations to assist with the upcoming labor negotiations with the LCEA. Staff received proposals from two retired human resources directors with extensive experience in labor relations/negotiations Staff interviewed both consultants and is recommending that the City retain Matt Doyle, Senior Consultant with LCW. Mr. Doyle is a retired Human Resources Director with three decades of experience, most recently with the City of Glendale and oversaw all aspects
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. {{section.number}}i
2 of human resources for a full-service city that includes police and fire bargaining units.
He also directly participated in numerous labor negotiations across multiple bargaining groups.
OPTIONS
1. Authorize execution of the Agreement; or
2. Provide alternative direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
Appropriate $40,000 from the General Fund under account code 100-230-5340.000.
ATTACHMENT
1. Professional Services Agreement with Libert Cassidy Whitmore Reviewed by: Approved by:
_______________________ ______________________
Gary Y. Sugano Andrew Vialpando
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
__________________________
Susan Kamada, Administrative Services Director