(insert date of meeting)
City Attorney's Office
DATE: January 11, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
(List all relevant/responsive staff
persons)
Anil Comelo, Interim Deputy City Manager
Subject:
(This will appear on the agenda)
Amendment to legal services agreement with Ellis
Investigations, L.C.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of these services is considered a part of the program administration costs and accounted for in the FY 2021-2022 Risk Management budget (Risk Management
Legal Services – Non-General Fund 50182316-400206).
The services are provided on an hourly rate so the actual amount spent could be less.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
(List all dates items were heard or
council action took place)
Click or tap here to enter text.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Ellis Investigations, L.C. is currently retained to
confidential personnel investigations for the City. Staff is requesting approval of a first amendment to an existing legal services agreement Ellis Investigations, L.C. in the amount of $90,000 to enable the firm to continue
conducting personnel investigations.
AGENDA
REPORT
(insert date of meeting)
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
(This will appear on the agenda)
APPROVE a first amendment to an existing legal
services agreement with Ellis Investigations, L.C., to
conduct personnel investigations for the City in the
amount of $90,000, for a total contract amount of
$100,000, for a term of December 21, 2021, through
June 30, 2023 - Human Resources Department (Anil
Comelo 510-620-6602). This item was continued from
the December 21, 2021, meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The City is required to address complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Whenever the City is made aware of a complaint or report of harassment, the City conducts an immediate, thorough and objective investigation. Similarly, the City investigates other workplace issues when appropriate. Other workplace issue investigations include employee misconduct or other personnel issues. Investigations can be conducted internally or externally depending on the circumstances and the alleged parties.
In 2018, the City Attorney’s Office conducted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for attorney services and the law firm of Ellis Investigations, L.C. is on the list of qualified firms. The City Attorney’s Office is also bringing forward an item to approve a list of qualified law firms to provide legal services, including personnel investigation services, to the City. Ellis Investigations, L.C. is also on the 2021 RFQ list.
Ellis Investigations, L.C. conducts public sector personnel investigations and works with municipalities throughout the Bay Area. The City entered into an initial legal services agreement for $10,000 on October 22, 2021. The proposed first amendment is for $90,000 for a total contract amount of $100,000, to enable the firm to continue providing investigatory services to the City. The term of the first amendment expires on June 30, 2023.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – First Amendment to Legal Services Agreement Attachment 2 – Legal Services Agreement