Title
Human Resources Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Make findings that it is appropriate to engage an independent contractor to provide professional employment investigation legal services and other specialized personnel services, as Agreement 8704 is necessary to protect against a conflict of interest or to ensure independent and unbiased findings where there is a need for an outside perspective and where work must be completed in limited timeframes in accordance with County ordinance code 3.13.030(F);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute Amendment I to competitively procured Agreement 8704 with Duggan McHugh Law Corporation to increase the amount by $124,198 for a new amount of $200,000 and extend the term for an additional three years through June 13, 2029; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute any necessary amendments relating to Agreement 8704, excluding term extensions and increases to the amount, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: General Fund with partial recovery from the Countywide Cost Allocation Plan.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Human Resources receives complaints of alleged misconduct in the workplace, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by County employees. Pursuant to Section 309.3 of the County Personnel Rules, Code of Ethics, Commitment to County Public Service, and Respectful Workplace, Human Resources may conduct investigations into these complaints as it deems necessary. The department has contracted with outside vendors when special skills and qualifications are involved in the performance of the work, when it is necessary to protect against a conflict of interest and obtain an outside perspective to make independent and unbiased findings, or when it is otherwise necessary to ensure a prompt and thorough investigation and resolution of the complaints filed. The nature of the work involves temporary, occasional, and urgent services.
...
Click here for full text