HomeMy WebLinkAboutHR Employee Relations Legal Services Professional Services Agreement Fiscal Years 2024-2026____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: November 4, 2024
Disposition: Authorized the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, for employee relations legal services, in an amount not to exceed
$150,000, for fiscal years 2024-2026
Agenda Item No: 5.d
Meeting Date: November 4, 2024
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Human Resources
Prepared by: Marissa Sanchez, Human Resources
Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: EMPLOYEE RELATIONS LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT FISCAL YEARS 2024-2026
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP FOR EMPLOYEE
RELATIONS LEGAL SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000, FOR
FISCAL YEARS 2024-2026.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Burke, Williams &
Sorensen, LLP, for employee relations legal services, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, for fiscal
years 2024-2026.
BACKGROUND:
This agreement is to engage in employee relations legal services from attorneys with the law firm Burke,
Williams & Sorensen, LLP, covering fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. The agreement is provided
in Attachment 1 to this report.
The City of San Rafael understands the critical function of employee relations in the effective functioning
of the City and wants to maintain legal and best practices when faced with various challenges and issues
related to workforce management, employee relations, and compliance with employment laws. Engaging
with a law firm specializing in employee relations will provide valuable support in navigating these
complexities. The Human Resources Department wants to ensure that there is a proactive investment in
the City’s workforce by leveraging legal expertise to maintain fair, compliant, and productive work
environments, benefitting both the workforce and the community served.
ANALYSIS:
Staff recommends that the City continue partnering with the legal firm Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP,
for employee relation legal services.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
This agreement provides a full range of services, consultation services, policy review and development,
trainings and workshops, investigation support, compliance audit, dispute resolution, regulatory updates,
litigation support, and support and advisory for a myriad of issues or concerns that may arise and need
legal review or input.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost for services under this agreement will not exceed $150,000 over the term of the contract.
Funding to cover current-year costs is available in the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 Human Resources –
General Fund budget for contractual services.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1.Authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Burke, Williams
& Sorensen, LLP for employee relations legal services, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, for
fiscal years 2024-2026.
2.Do not authorize the City Manager to enter into the Professional Services Agreement and provide
further direction to staff.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Burke, Williams &
Sorensen, LLP for employee relations legal services, in the amount not to exceed $150,000, for fiscal
years 2024-2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.BWS Employee Relations Professional Services Agreement 2024-2026
