January 6, 2025
City Attorney's Office
DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shannon Moore, Interim City Attorney
Nickie Mastay, Deputy City Manager- Internal Services
Sharrone Taylor, Director of Human Resources
Subject:
Legal Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 with DCI
Group
FINANCIAL IMPACT: These services are considered part of the program administration costs and are included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 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 Account Code: 01181016-
400206 and Risk Management Legal Service – Non-
General Fund Account Code: 50182316-400206).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
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 first amendment
with DCI Group to increase the payment limit by $30,000, for a total amount not to exceed $40,000, with a term
ending June 30, 2026, for confidential personnel
investigative services – City Attorney’s Office/Human
Resources Department (Shannon Moore/Nickie
Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6600).
AGENDA
REPORT
January 6, 2025
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 the DCI Group.
The City Attorney’s Office and Human Resources Department entered into a legal services agreement for $10,000 with the DCI Group to conduct a time sensitive investigation and are requesting an amendment to increase the payment limit. The DCI Group is an investigations law firm that specializes in an array of investigations. DCI Group has proven satisfactory in their services. Continuing the working relationship with this 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 Department are requesting approval of a legal services agreement amendment with DCI Group to increase the payment limit by $30,000 for total not to exceed amount of $40,000.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Legal Services Agreement with DCI Group
Attachment 2 – Proposed Legal Services Agreement Amendment with DCI Group