HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3982
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3982)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 8/5/2013
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Summary Title: Labor Relations Services Contract
Title: Approval of Contract Amendment One to Contract S13149754 with
Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP Public Law Group in the amount of $60,000
for a total contract amount of $90,000 and the extension of the contract until
June 30, 2014
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Human Resources
Recommendation
Staff requests approval of the Council to modify two terms of the existing contract with Renne
Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP, the contract length and the contract amount, to allow the firm to
continue serving as the City’s Chief Negotiator for a new round of collective bargaining and
continue assisting staff on overall bargaining strategy.
Motion
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment One to Contract S13149754 with
Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP. This amendment increases the amount of the contract by
$60,000 for collective bargaining Chief Negotiator services for a total contract amount not to
exceed $90,000. This amendment also extends the contract date from December 31, 2013 to
June 30, 2014.
Background
On April 23, 2013, the City of Palo Alto entered into an Agreement with Renne Sloan Holtzman
Sakai LLP to provide labor negotiation services for a focused bargaining process with the Palo
Alto Police Managers’ Association (PAPMA). The consultant assigned Dania Torres Wong to be
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the project manager and Chief Negotiator to represent the City of Palo Alto during that round
of negotiations. The PAPMA and City reached agreement on economic terms which were
adopted by City Council on June 24, 2013.
Concurrently, Ms. Wong continues to work with City staff to develop an overall bargaining
strategy for FY 2014. The City proposes to use Ms. Wong as the Chief Negotiator in a new
round of bargaining for the City’s largest labor group represented by SEIU.
Discussion
The City recently requested informal bids from qualified firms to provide labor negotiation
services as Chief Negotiator for a focused bargaining process. The City requested the bidders to
describe their expertise in local government bargaining particularly in areas around benefits
structure; to be able to meet with the City Council during closed session; and to manage the
negotiations through to the end, which may include fact-finding pursuant to AB 646. The firm
Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP was selected based on their qualifications and availability to
devote the time and resources necessary to meet the City’s bargaining parameters. While
Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP was not the lowest bidder their expertise and availability made
them the best choice for that specific bargaining process.
The requested contract extension will allow Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP to continue to
work with the City of Palo Alto through the end of the next bargaining process with the City’s
largest bargaining unit. Dania Torres Wong will again serve as the City’s Chief Negotiator. Ms.
Wong will also continue working with staff on an overall labor strategy for FY 2014.
Previously the City has had a relationship with IEDA under contract to provide bargaining
services on a prepaid monthly amount of $5,678. The City has paused the IEDA contract from
July to December 2013, saving $34,066.
In summary, this amendment will extend the length of the contract with Renne Sloan Holtzman
Sakai LLP and increase the amount authorized by $60,000 for a total contract not to exceed
$90,000.
Resource Impact
The contract will be funded through the People Strategy and Operations Department’s FY 2014
Adopted Operating Budget.
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Environmental Review
Implementation of terms is not a project subject to review under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
Attachments:
Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai Contract Amendment No 1 (PDF)