City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01496 8/12/2025
Authorization to Issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Performance Review Facilitation and Attorney-Investigator Services for Council-Appointed Officers File ID: 2025-01496
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Pass a motion authorizing the Human Resources department to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified vendors or law firms to provide: 1) facilitation of performance review and goal-setting processes for City Council-appointed officers; and 2) independent attorney-investigator services for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), performance, and other personnel-related matters.
Contact: Jennifer Wilkinson, Administrative Officer, (916) 808-5295, [email protected], Human Resources
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Draft RFP - Performance Review and Investigative Services Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: CPS HR Consulting (CPS) was selected by the City to conduct the executive recruitment for the City Manager. As a part of their recruitment services, CPS was tasked with providing insights on potential negotiation considerations that candidates might raise. This preparation will allow the City Council to anticipate and design a comprehensive compensation package and employment agreement.
On May 13, 2025, the Personnel and Public Employee Committee (P&PE) was presented with an overview of a compensation package and negotiation components. A performance evaluation process was included among these items. CPS emphasized the critical importance of linking performance evaluations to any salary adjustments or raises. In support of the performance evaluation process, Human Resources presented a proposal to establish a formal performance review and goal-setting process for not only the City Manager, but all City Council Appointed Officers.
The P&PE passed a motion recommending the City Council discuss developing a formal goal setting
File ID: 2025-01496 8/12/2025
and review process for all Appointed Officers to the City Council.
On May 20, 2025, the City Council received the proposal to establish a formal goal setting and review process for all City Council Appointed Officers and passed a motion directing staff to proceed with developing a formal facilitated goal-based performance review process with the goal of having the review process in place for use with the new City Manager.
On July 22, 2025, the P&PE was presented with a proposed Request for Proposal (RFP) (Attachment 2) for a third-party consultant to facilitate a formal goal setting and performance review process and attorney-investigator and legal support services. The P&PE Committee passed a motion recommending to the City Council that Human Resources proceed with issuing a RFP to secure qualified firms.
The Sacramento City Council directly appoints six appointed officers:
· City Manager
· City Attorney
· City Auditor
· City Clerk
· City Treasurer
· Director of Public Safety and Accountability
These positions serve at the pleasure of the Council, and robust oversight mechanisms are necessary to ensure accountability, ethical conduct, and professional development in these leadership roles.
While the City has historically conducted performance reviews, a more structured and externally facilitated process is needed to enhance transparency, goal alignment, and effectiveness.
Additionally, the City lacks on-call external investigative support specifically for these appointed positions.
The proposed RFP (Attachment 2) would solicit a pool of qualified vendors or firms that could provide the following services on an as-needed basis:
· Performance Review and Goal Setting Facilitation: To support annual performance evaluations, goal setting, and constructive feedback in a neutral and confidential format. · Attorney-Investigator Services: To conduct fair and impartial investigations into alleged EEO violations, performance concerns, or other personnel matters involving Council-appointed officers and elected officials.
The Performance Review and Goal Setting Facilitation would be for all six direct reports of the City
File ID: 2025-01496 8/12/2025
Council. The logistical processes for this activity would be managed by the Chair of P&PE. The Mayor and the entire City Council would meet with the direct reports and hired firm to create the goals and objectives for each direct report.
The Attorney Investigator Services process would be created in consultation with the hired firm and would only be utilized with a formal request to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Chair of the P&PE acting as the Council’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee. If any of these individuals are the subject of or otherwise involved in the issue, the Mayor Pro Tem or Vice Chair of the P&PE Committee would be substituted into the EEO Committee. The members of the EEO Committee and their staff would assist the hired firm in the logistics needed.
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This action is not a project that is subject to CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines §15378(b)(5)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: As detailed above, on May 13, 2025, P&PE passed a motion recommending the City Council discuss developing a formal goal setting and review process for all Appointed Officers to the City Council.
On July 22, 2025, P&PE passed a motion recommending the City Council direct Human Resources to proceed with issuing a RFP to secure qualified to provide facilitation of performance review and goal-setting processes for City Council-appointed officers and independent attorney-investigator services.
Rationale for Recommendation: This RFP will establish a more objective, structured, and consistent approach to the Council’s oversight of its appointed officers. It will also ensure that independent and timely resources are available for sensitive personnel or legal matters.
Financial Considerations: No funding is being requested at this time. Costs associated with the services will be brought forward for authorization upon selection of vendors through the RFP process.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Performance Review Facilitation Services & Attorney-Investigator and Legal Support Services
City Council and Council-Appointed Officers
1. Introduction
The City of Sacramento is soliciting proposals from qualified law firms, consultants, or vendors to provide two related services in support of the City Council’s oversight responsibilities for its appointed officers:
A. Facilitation of structured performance reviews and goal setting between the City Council and its appointed officers.
B. Availability of attorney-investigators to conduct independent EEO, performance, or other personnel-related investigations.
The appointed officers include the City Manager, City Attorney, City Auditor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and the Director of Public Safety and Accountability. These officers report directly to the City Council. The requested services are intended to promote accountability, fairness, and professional excellence in executive-level public service.
2. Scope of Services
A. Performance Review and Goal Setting Facilitation Services Vendors shall support the City Council in conducting annual performance reviews and facilitating the development of performance goals for each appointed officer. Required services include:
Pre-Review and Goal Setting Planning:
• Conduct interviews with City Councilmembers and appointed officers to identify core responsibilities, performance expectations, and priority areas.
• Develop a structured framework for performance reviews, including objective criteria, standardized questions, and methods of collecting input.
• Facilitate the goal-setting process for each officer, ensuring goals are clearly defined, measurable, and aligned with City priorities.
Annual Review Facilitation:
• Facilitate confidential one-on-one and/or group sessions between the City Council and each officer at least annually. • Support a process that is transparent, balanced, and respectful, while preserving professional confidentiality.
• Encourage constructive feedback and provide support for two- way communication.
Reporting and Recommendations:
• Provide a written report summarizing input, achievements against goals, areas for development, and future objectives. • Offer guidance for follow-up or process improvements to enhance future reviews.
Ongoing and Follow-up Support (Optional):
• Facilitate mid-year check-ins or progress reviews as requested. • Assist with refining goals, timelines, and performance indicators throughout the year.
B. Attorney-Investigator Services
Qualified law firms are invited to provide licensed attorneys to conduct independent investigations. Services include:
• Conduct investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, or other personnel-related issues involving any Council-appointed officer.
• Maintain objectivity, confidentiality, and impartiality throughout the investigative process.
• Provide comprehensive written reports summarizing findings and conclusions suitable for review by the City Council. • Brief the City Council on investigative findings, either in individual meetings or during properly agendized closed session meetings.
• Be available to provide services on an as-needed basis, often with short notice.