File #: 19-686    Version: Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 4/30/2019 In control: Human Resources
On agenda: 5/7/2019 Final action: 5/7/2019
Title: Retroactive Approval of Past Payments to Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and Approval of a New Agreement with the Firm
Sponsors: Amy Nilsen
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. LCW Payments, 3. LCW Agreement, 4. Executed LCW Agreement

To: Board of Supervisors

From: Human Resources

Agenda Section: Consent

SUBJECT:
title
Retroactive Approval of Past Payments to Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and Approval of a New Agreement with the Firm
end

RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Ratify past payments to the firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore in the amount of $1,407,676.62 as detailed in Attachment 1.
2. Approve an agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for legal service from May 7, 2019 to June 30, 2020 in an amount not to exceed $150,000.

Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Liability Fund

DISCUSSION:
The County of Humboldt has used the services of the employment law firm of Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore (LCW) for many years. LCW provides representation to the county on employment litigation and administrative hearings, labor negations, and special employment law services. The county is also a member of LCW's Humboldt County training consortium (along with most local cities and other local agencies) which provides ongoing staff training and development on employment law issues.

Services related to labor negotiations, administrative hearings, and special projects have been provided under an agreement entered into with LCW and signed by the Personnel Director in 2008. Litigation payments have been previously authorized by the Board but not reduced to separate retainer agreements. While that 2008 agreement has an open-ended term, due to administrative oversight, it was not taken to the Board for approval once it surpassed the purchasing authority of the signer. However, services and payments have continued under the existing agreement. The Board's action today will retroactively ratify the payments that been made to LCW for past services provided as detailed in the attachment. In order to be comprehensive, the ratification request includes all LCW payments since 2008, although litigation payments have been previously authorized and other payments fall within the conso...

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