HomeMy WebLinkAboutHR Labor 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 labor relations legal services, in an amount not to exceed
$150,000, for fiscal years 2024-2026
Agenda Item No: 5.e
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: LABOR 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 LABOR
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 labor relations legal services, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, for fiscal years
2024-2026.
BACKGROUND:
This agreement is to engage in labor 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 of this report.
The City of San Rafael successfully negotiated seven labor agreements, which took effect July 1, 2024.
After labor negotiations have concluded, throughout the year, there is a need for clarification of
Memorandums of Understanding and Resolution language, analysis and guidance on labor relations
issues that arise, and advice to the Human Resources Department on legal and best practices for labor
relations legal matters.
The City has used experienced, independent professionals as legal advisors for many years and has
contracted with Burke, Williams & Sorenson, LLP, for labor relations and negotiation services since
December 2017. This model helps staff maintain cooperative relationships with bargaining unit
representatives and avoids potential conflicts of interest that could arise if only internal staff were involved
in negotiations and conversations throughout the year.
ANALYSIS:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Staff recommends that the City continue partnering with the legal firm Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP,
for labor relations legal services.
This agreement provides a full range of services, including meeting preparation, appropriate legal review
of bargaining group contracts, counseling for City staff on labor relation issues, and coordination with the
City’s resource team. In addition, services will include time for interaction with the City Council, necessary
technical research, and legal services that may be required for issues outside of the actual labor
negotiation process.
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 labor 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 labor relations legal services in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for fiscal years
2024-2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.BWS Labor Relations Professional Services Agreement 2024-2026
