City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Jane Kilgore, Deputy City Clerk
Date: 07/14/2026
Subject: Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) for employment relations training and consulting services and approve payment of the annual membership dues in the amount of $3,005.00 (funding source: General Fund).
BACKGROUND
The City periodically utilizes specialized legal and human resources consulting services to assist with employment-related matters, supervisory training, workplace investigations, policy development, labor relations, and compliance with federal and state employment laws.
LCW is a law firm specializing in public sector employment and labor law and has extensive experience providing legal counsel, training, and consulting services to California public agencies.
DISCUSSION
The proposed agreement with LCW will provide the City with access to employment relations consulting and training services on an as-needed basis. Services may include:
Supervisor and management training;
Employment law compliance guidance;
Personnel policy and handbook review;
Labor relations consulting;
Workplace investigations and personnel-related consulting; and Other employment-related training and advisory services as requested by the City.
Utilizing LCW allows the City to obtain specialized expertise when needed without maintaining additional in-house resources.
Staff recommends approval of the agreement to ensure the City continues to have access to experienced employment law and labor relations professionals.
FISCAL IMPACT
The membership dues of $3,005 will be paid from the General Fund. For any additional cost incurred for as-needed professional services, those costs will be paid from the applicable departmental operating budget.
Attachments:
1. 2026-2027 LCW San Joaquin Valley Employment Relations Consortium Agreement