For City Council Meeting [November 13, 2018]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Ahmad R. Ansari, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Lucy M. Garcia, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management
Title
Request City Council to Approve an increase to Purchase Order No. 2019-0861 with the Law Office of Kathy M. Gandara in the amount of $17,655.92 for a total of $22,655.92 in the current fiscal year for personnel investigative services.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
On September 26, 2017, an Attorney-Client Agreement was entered into and signed between the City of Rialto and the Law Office of Kathy M. Gandara to provide independent personnel investigative services related to employee grievances. On June 12, 2018, the City Council approved an increase to Purchase Order No. 2018-0725 to cover investigation costs incurred to a total not to exceed $74,500.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Due to the nature of the most current investigation, increases in time and expenses were incurred because of additional interviews needed and subsequent costs (preparation for interviews, summaries, travel expenses) to complete the City's most recent investigative report. On August 14, 2018, staff requested an amendment to Purchase Order No. 2018-0725 by $22,000 (for a total of $96,500) to enable final payments to the investigator for services rendered as agreed within scope per the Director of Human Services and Risk Management under the Attorney-Client Agreement. Under the City's Administrative Policies and pursuant to Section 2.04.170 of the Municipal Code, it is the duty of the City to investigate complaints. The Council did not approve the $22,000 amendment request pending additional information regarding the extent of the investigative services, including the final invoices.
The original estimate of $96,500 in investigative costs was meant to encompass four personnel-related investigations throughout the fiscal year. In reality, because the last invoices must apply to the...
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