CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH LIEBERT
CASSIDY WHITMORE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR
RELATIONS LEGAL SERVICES
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Human Resources
SUMMARY:
This action will approve an amendment to the current contract with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to provide employment and labor relations legal services to the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an Amendment to the Agreement for Special Services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to provide consulting, representational and legal services pertaining to employment relations matters.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
A copy of the Public Integrity Disclosure Form for Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a Professional Corporation, is included as Attachment B.
BACKGROUND:
The City has utilized the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) since 2007 to provide legal and consulting services related to employee and labor relations. These services include labor negotiations, legal consultation, and representation in administrative and court proceedings.
The current Agreement for Special Services was approved by the City Council on November 10, 2022, with an effective date of October 1, 2022. LCW is now proposing its first billing rate increase since the agreement was approved.
City Council Staff Report
September 30, 2026 -- Page 2
Amendment to Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Staff reviewed the proposed rates and compared them with rates charged to other similarly sized full-service cities. As part of that review, staff negotiated a reduction in the proposed Senior Associate Attorney rate from $415 to $400 per hour.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Employment and labor law continue to be increasingly complex, requiring specialized legal expertise and ongoing consultation. Staff recommends retaining LCW to provide as- needed legal services and representation in these areas.
The City anticipates continued need for LCW services in 2027 as negotiations begin for successor labor agreements with the Palm Springs Fire Management Association and Teamsters Local 1932, in addition to the City's ongoing need for legal advice and representation on employee and labor relations matters.
Staff reviewed LCW's proposed rates against rates charged to comparable public agencies and found the rates included in Attachment A to be consistent with, and in some cases slightly lower than, those charged to other agencies receiving services from the firm.
The procurement of contracts for legal services are exempt from Title 7 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, Procurement and Contracting. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached amendment to the Agreement for Special Services with the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for as requested legal services.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
The requested action is to approve contracts for the above-mentioned services, and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b), in that a “Project” does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for outside legal services are currently budgeted. No additional appropriations are requested as a part of this report.
City Council Staff Report
September 30, 2026 -- Page 3
Amendment to Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Stephanie George
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Amendment
B. Business Disclosure Form
C. Original Agreement for Special Services