October 22, 2024
Human Resources
DATE: October 22, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shannon Moore, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Nickie Mastay, Deputy City Manager- Internal Services
Sharrone Taylor, Director of Human Resources
Subject:
Legal Services Agreement with Oppenheimer
Investigations Group
FINANCIAL IMPACT: These services are considered part of the program administration costs and accounted for in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Human Resources and Risk Management
budgets. The services are provided at an hourly rate so the actual amount could be less. (Human Resources
Legal Services 01181016-400206 and Risk Management
Legal Service – Non-General Fund 50182316-400206).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Council’s approval is needed to approve legal
services agreements for employment attorneys to
conduct confidential personnel investigations.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a legal services agreement with Oppenheimer
Investigations Group for a term of October 22, 2024,
through September 30, 2027, for a total amount not to
exceed $300,000 – City Attorney’s Office/Human
Resources Department (Shannon Moore/Nickie
Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6600).
AGENDA
REPORT
October 22, 2024
DISCUSSION:
The City is responsible for addressing complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by promptly conducting thorough and unbiased personnel investigations.
Additionally, the City investigates other workplace issues, including employee complaints, when necessary. When an external personnel investigation is required, the City enlists the services of specialized firms which have highly skilled employment law attorneys to conduct personnel investigations, such as Oppenheimer Investigations Group.
The City A ttorney’s Office and Human Resources Department are requesting a legal services agreement with Oppenheimer Investigations Group ( OIG). OIG is a n investigations law firm that specializes in impartial workplace investigations. OIG investigates complaints of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, sexual assault, and other misconduct for public entities and other entities throughout California. OIG has previously conducted investigations for the City and has proven satisfactory in their services. Continuing the working relationship with th is firm will ensure ongoing critical investigations are conducted timely and provide stability and consistency in the investigations process.
The City Attorney's Office and the Human Resources Dep artment are requesting approval of a new legal services agreement with OIG for a term of October 22, 2024, through September 30, 2027, for a total amount not to exceed $300,000.
Staff recommends approval of the legal services agreement.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proposed Legal Services Agreement with Oppenheimer Investigations Group