HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2301-0759CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2023
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:00 PM
AGENDA ITEM COVER PAGE
9.Adoption of a Resolution to Extend the Appointment of Adriane D. McCoy of Baker Tilly
US, LLP as Interim City Auditor Through April 30, 2023
1
5
0
6
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT REPORT
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: January 23, 2023
TITLE
Adoption of a Resolution to Extend the Appointment of Adriane D. McCoy of Baker Tilly US, LLP
as Interim City Auditor Through April 30, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council is recommended to adopt a resolution extending the appointment of Adriane
D. McCoy, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) of Baker Tilly US, LLP, as Palo Alto’s Interim City
Auditor through April 30, 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This action extends the appointment of Adriane D. McCoy as Interim City Auditor from January
31, 2023 through April 30, 2023. This additional time will allow the Council Appointed Officer’s
Committee to meet to address the next steps for filling the City Auditor position for the
medium to long term.
BACKGROUND
The Palo Alto Charter provides that the City Council appoint an Auditor who serves at the
Council’s will. The Charter describes the Auditor’s key duties. (See Charter, Art. IV, sections 1
and 12.)
In February 2020, the Council directed the Council Appointed Officers (CAO) Committee to
conduct a solicitation for outsourced internal auditing services. After an extensive procurement
process, the CAO Committee recommended finalists for Council consideration. On September
28, 2020, the Council approved a contract beginning October 1, 2020 with Baker Tilly US, LLP, as
Palo Alto’s City Auditor and other supporting personnel. with specific employees of the
company to be formally appointed to the City Auditor position. The original contract ended
June 30, 2022, for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,300,000 and on May 9, 2022, the Council
approved an amendment to the contract to: 1) extend the term to June 30, 2025, 2) revise the
project scope, and 3) increase the contract amount by $2,126,250 to a not-to-exceed amount of
$3,426,250 over five years.
1
5
0
6
On August 17, 2022, the City received notification from Baker Tilly informing the City that a
change in the Palo Alto City Auditor appointment would be necessary due to staffing changes at
the company. On August 22, 20221 the City Council took action to “request up to three
individuals to interview from Baker Tilly to act as an interim Auditor, and the Council Appointed
Officers Committee to meet to address the next steps for filling the Auditor position for the
medium to long term.” The City’s contract with Baker Tilly (Exhibit A, Scope of Services under
“Designation of City Auditor”) addresses the potential for a vacancy in the City Auditor
appointment.
On August 30, the Council interviewed three candidates and on September 19, 2022, the
Council adopted a resolution appointing Adriane D. McCoy of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the Interim
City Auditor through January 31, 20232.
ANALYSIS
This action recommends a three (3) month extension to the interim appointment of the City
Auditor from January 31, 2023 through April 30, 2023. This additional time is requested to
provide the 2023 City Council, sworn into office on January 9, 2023, and the Council Appointed
Officer’s Committee, time to meet and determine next steps for the medium- and long-term
appointment of a City Auditor. Further action will be brought forward upon feedback from the
Council Appointed Officer’s Committee.
Baker Tilly is a comprehensive professional services firm with a group dedicated to state and
local governmental clients. Baker Tilly’s experience extends across more than 40 states with
specific public sector clients in California such as the cities of Carlsbad, Riverside, Burbank,
Modesto and Richmond and several utility clients including Sacramento Municipal Utility
District, Imperial Irrigation District, Northern California Power Agency, San Diego Gas & Electric,
Glendale Utilities, Pasadena Water and Electric, Anaheim Public Utilities, and the California
Public Utilities Commission. This is notable as Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no resource impact associated with this interim appointment. The BakerTilly contract is
executed and budgeted in the FY 2023 Adopted Budget.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
This work has been based on extensive prior discussion and direction from the City Council
during multiple public meetings beginning in 2020. Staff in coordination with Baker Tilly and the
City Council completed the interviews to bring forward this interim appointment in September
1 City Council August 22, 2022, Item #AA3, CMR:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-
agendas-minutes/2022/20220822/20220822pccsm-amended-redacted-linked.pdf#page=335
2 City Council September 19, 2022, Item #4, CMR #14760,
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=9054&compileOutputType=
1
1
5
0
6
2022. Further discussion and engagement is expected with the Council Appointed Officers
Committee, as directed by Council, to meet to address the next steps for filling the Auditor
position for the medium to long term.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from CEQA and requires no further environmental review.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution Extending Appointment of Adriane D. McCoy as Palo Alto Interim City
Auditor
APPROVED BY:
Lesley Milton, City Clerk
Report #: 2301-0759
NOT YET APPROVED
Resolution No. ____
A Resolution of the City Council for the City of Palo Alto
Extending the Appointment of Adriane D. McCoy, Director with
Baker Tilly US, LLP, as the Palo Alto Interim City Auditor.
R E C I T A L S
A. The Palo Alto City Charter specifies the duties and functions of the City Auditor for the
City of Palo Alto;
B. The Charter further specifies that the City Council shall appoint the City Auditor;
C. The Council received notification that its current City Auditor, Kyle O’Rourke, is no
longer with the City’s service provider, Baker Tilly US, LLP and will no longer serve as
Palo Alto’s City Auditor;
D. The Council requested up to three candidates from Baker Tilly US, LLP and conducted
interviews with candidates to serve as City Auditor;
E. The Council, on September 19, 2022, appointed Adriane D. McCoy, Director for Baker
Tilly US, LLP, as interim City Auditor for the City of Palo Alto for a term ending January
31, 2023;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The Council hereby extends the appointment of Adriane D. McCoy, Director
for Baker Tilly US, LLP, as interim City Auditor for the City of Palo Alto;
SECTION 2. Adriane D. McCoy shall serve as interim City Auditor at the will of the
Council as provided by the Charter, and shall further serve according to all of the terms and
provisions of the Charter, the Municipal Code and the agreement for outsourced internal
auditing services between the City of Palo Alto and Baker Tilly US, LLP; and
SECTION 3. Nothing in this action confers employment or other employee rights,
responsibilities and obligations to Adriane D. McCoy or Baker Tilly US, LLP.; and
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
NOT YET APPROVED
SECTION 4. This resolution shall be effective immediately. The appointment of Adriane D.
McCoy as interim City Auditor shall end on April 30, 2023 or on the expiration of the agreement
for outsourced internal auditing services between the City of Palo Alto and Baker Tilly US, LLP,
including any amendment, extension or termination approved by the Council, whichever is
sooner.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________
City Attorney