March 3, 2026
City Attorney's Office
DATE: March 3, 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. 5 with Ellis
Investigations
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed amendment increases the contract payment limit by $50,000. 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. Because the
services are billed at an hourly rate, the total cost may be lower than estimated (Account Strings: Human
Resources Legal Services 01181016-400206 and Risk
Management Legal Service – Non-General Fund
50182316-400206).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
January 11, 2022
May 17, 2022
June 25, 2024
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 the fifth amendment to the legal services
agreement with Ellis Investigations to increase the
payment limit by $50,000, for a total amount not to
exceed $250,000, for confidential personnel investigation services – City Attorney’s Office/Human Resources
Department (Shannon Moore/Nickie Mastay/Sharrone
Taylor 510-620-6600).
AGENDA
REPORT
March 3, 2026
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 Ellis Investigations.
The City Attorney’s Office and Human Resources Department signed a $10,000 agreement with Ellis Investigations in 2021 after issuing a Request for Proposals to form a pool of qualified investigators for sensitive and confidential cases. The City has since amended the agreement four times to extend its term and increase funding, with the last amendment on June 30, 2025. During this period, Ellis Investigations has successfully handled multiple confidential investigations to the City's satisfaction. The City now seeks a fifth amendment to increase the payment limit and extend the contract. 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 Ellis Investigations to increase the payment limit by $50,000 for total not to exceed amount of $250,000.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Legal Services Agreement
Attachment 2 – Amendment 1
Attachment 3 – Amendment 2
Attachment 4 – Amendment 3
Attachment 5 – Amendment 4
Attachment 6 – Amendment 5 (Proposed)