HomeMy WebLinkAboutS32 - City Attorney RecruitmentCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. S32
June 24, 2008
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: City Attorney Ad Hoc Recruitment Committee
SUBJECT: Determination of the City Attorney Recruitment Process
ISSUE:
Does the City Council want to hire a Recruitment Consultant or do the recruitment
with the City's HR staff?
2. What steps should be taken in the recruitment process and on what timeline should
these steps be taken?
3. What job description and required qualifications are desired by the City Council for
the City Attorney's position?
4. What is the appropriate salary range to be used for the City Attorney's position?
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Authorize the use of a recruitment consultant to assist in obtaining candidates for the
City Attorney position and direct the staff to send out a Request for Proposals (RFP)
as soon as possible, and direct the Ad Hoc Committee to review the proposals
received and make a recommendation to the City Council at the July 22, 2008,
Council meeting on the firm to retain for the recruitment process.
2. Provide input to the Ad Hoc Committee on desired modifications and changes to the
proposed timeline, job description and required qualifications, so that finalized
recommendations can be brought back to the City Council for approval at the July 8,
2008 City Council meeting.
3. Postpone the determination of the City Attorney's salary range until the recruitment
consultant has been retained and can make recommendations. Direct the City
Manager to have the Human Resources Department prepare a salary survey of City
Attorney and City Manager salaries for positions of similar responsibility and duties
in Southern California.
Approval of the City Attorney Recruitment Process
June 24, 2008
Page 2
DISCUSSION:
The City Attorney Ad Hoc Recruitment Committee with the assistance of the Human
Resources Director has reviewed the recruitment process options for the City Attorney's
position and strongly recommends that a recruitment consultant be retained for the
recruitment process. Exhibit A is a draft of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for this
recruitment process. If City Council members wish to make modifications at the meeting
they will be incorporated in the RFP before it is sent out on June 25th. Exhibit B is a list
of recruitment consultants that will receive the RFP's. The City Council can add to this
list at the meeting. Also any firm requesting an RFP will be added to the list.
Exhibit C is a proposed timeline that is recommended at this time. The timeline
summarizes the recruitment process and is set up to have the position filled by early
January. It should be understood that once the recruitment consultant is on board that
modifications may brought to the Council by the consultant. The schedule relies on the
consultant to handle the advertising for the position. With this in mind the earliest an
advertisement can be placed in the Western Cities Magazine is September 1st
Exhibit D is a proposed City Attorney position definition, description of duties,
qualifications and minimum requirements. These were taken from Human Resources
files and the 2004 recruitment process with some modifications from the Committee. It
is recommended that the Council review and comment on Exhibit D and make changes
as necessary.
The Committee recommends that the City Council approve the retention of a
recruitment consultant for the City Attorney position and the RFP attached as Exhibit A
(with changes made at the meeting, if any). The timeline would have the Committee
reviewing the proposals received and making a recommendation to the City Council at
their July 22nd meeting on which firm to retain.
Exhibits C and D are provided for review and comment and will be brought back to the
July 8th meeting for approval. These exhibits may be modified if needed after the
recruitment consultant is on board and makes recommendations to do so.
The Committee recommends that setting the salary range for the City Attorney be
postponed until the recruitment consultant can provide recommendations. To help in
this determination, the Human Resources Department should prepare salary surveys for
both the City Attorney and City Manager comparing cities in Southern California with
like duties and responsibilities.
At the City Council meeting Council Members should be prepared to approve a
recruitment process, comment on and suggest changes to Exhibits A -D and give the Ad
Hoc Committee further direction on items they would like to see the Committee review.
Approval of the City Attorney Recruitment Process
June 24, 2008
Page 3
Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not
require environmental review.
Public Notice: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours
in advance of the meeting at which the Council considers the item).
Submitted by:
ON WEBB
Council Member
Ad Hoc Committee Chair
Attachments: Exhibit A — Request for Proposal
Exhibit B — List of Recruitment Consultants to receive the RFP
Exhibit C — Proposed Timeline
Exhibit D — City Attorney Job Description
EXHIBIT A
June 25, 2008
Recruitment Consultants
Greetings
The City of Newport Beach will be recruiting for a new City Attorney in the next
few months and have decided to contract with a recruiting firm to perform the
recruitment. Our current City Attorney, Robin Clauson, is retiring at the end of
the year and we would like to have her replacement on board by the first week in
January (sooner if possible). Your firm has been recommended and we would
like to receive a proposal from you to provide the following services:
1. Review documents provided by the City to gain familiarity with the City,
including major issues and challenges. Prepare a profile of the ideal
candidate with issues and challenges facing the City Attorney and the City
of Newport Beach.
2. Develop a recruitment strategy and timeline for the City Attorney
Recruitment.
3. Work with the City Council to determine the appropriate salary range.
4. Develop and print brochure with information provided by the City.
5. Develop a recruitment packet with information from the City.
6. Market the position and recruit from various sources.
7. Write and place advertisements.
8. Collect and review applications. Conduct preliminary screening interviews
as necessary to screen candidates and provide preliminary pre- screened
list of candidates.
9. Conduct background check(s) for final candidate(s).
10. Other services as needed or recommended.
In addition to the scope of work listed above, please provide the following
information in your proposal:
• Qualifications & experience of your firm and the person and/or team who
will be responsible for this recruitment.
• Cost to provide the services listed above. You may also include any
additional services that you feel are necessary with a separate cost
attached to those services.
• Recent City Attorney Recruitments your firm has handled and the person
who will be assigned to our City. Include names and phone numbers for
references.
• Recruitment strategy and timeline for the recruitment.
We would appreciate receiving three copies of your proposal by close of
business on July 11, 2008. A City Council Committee will review the proposals
and make a recommendation for City Council approval on July 22 "d. If you have
any questions please give me a call at (949) 644 -3300. If this request excludes
something you feel is important, please include it with a separate cost and submit
your proposal to me at the following address:
Barbara Ramsey
Human Resources Director
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92663 -3884
I look forward to hearing from you,
Barbara Ramsey
Human Resources Director
List of Recruitment Consultants to Receive the RFP
Consultant/Firm
Contact
Primary Phone
Address
e-mail
Website
Avery & Associates
Jackie Collins
Paul Kimura
Gary Brown
408- 399 -4424
3 1/2 No Santa Cruz Ave,
#A, Los Gatos, CA 95030
obs(cDaveryassoc.com
www.averyassoc.net
Ralph Andersen &
Associates
Heather Renschler
916 -630 -4900
5800 Stanford Ranch Rd,
Suite 410, Rocklin, CA
95765
info(cbralphandersen.co
www.ralphandersen.
m
com
CPS
CPS Recruit Team
916- 263 -1401
241 Lathrop Way,
Sacramento, CA 95815
resumes(u)cps.ca.gov
www.cps.ca.gov /sear
ch
Alliance Resource
Consulting
Eric Middleton
562 - 901 - 0769
One World Trade Center
#420, Long Beach, CA
90831
info(c alliancerc.com
www.allianceresourc
econsulting.com
TB & Co
Teri Black -Brann
310- 377 -2612
info(a tbcrecruiting.com
www.tbcrecruiting.co
The Davis Company
Michael Davis
310.473.1457 Tel
11150 Santa Monica
Boulevard, Suite 230, Los
Angeles, CA 90025
mdavis(a)davisco.org
www.davisco.org
Bob Murray &Associates
Regan Williams
916- 784 -9080
1677 Eureka Road, Ste 202,
Roseville, CA 95661
applv(a)bobmurrayasso
www.bobmurrayasso
c.com
c.com
The Mills Group
Lisa Mills
2314 N. Olive Lane, Santa
Ana, CA 92706
does not appear listed
online
m
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x
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EXHIBIT C
City Attorney Recruitment
Proposed Timeline
24 June 2008
06/24/08 City Council approves hiring a recruitment consultant
and reviews and comments on the recruitment process
06/25/08 Request for Proposals sent out to recruitment firms
07/08/08 City Council approves recruitment timeline, and job
description
07/11/08 RFP from recruitment firms due
07/16/08 Committee interviews recruitment firms
07119/08 Reserve space in Western City
07/21/08 Council approves hiring recruitment firm
07/28- 08/01/08 Recruiter interviews individual Council members to
define expectations, and desired working relationships
08/15/08 Recruiter opens recruitment process (open 5weeks)
08/07/08 Western City ad materials due (if recommended by
recruiter)
09/22/08 Recruitment closes
6/20/2008
09/22 -29/08 Screening of candidates - Recruiter
09/29- 10/06/08 Committee reviews candidates and recruiter's
recommendations and makes recommendation to
Council on who to interview
10/14/08 Council (Closed Session) reviews committee
recommendations and picks those to interview.
10/15/08 Call candidates for interview
11/08/08 Saturday full Council interview panel (Closed Session)
11/10-17/08 Final interviews (Full Council Closed Sessions)
11/17-21/08 Reference checks conducted (outside agency)
11/25/08 Council approves offering the position to selected
candidate.
11/26/08 job offer and negotiate contract
12/09/08 Council approves new City Attorney contract at
meeting.
1/05/08 New City Attorney on the job
6/20/2008
EXHIBIT D
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY ATTORNEY
DEFINITION: To act as legal advisor and counsel for the City Council, City Manager
and City departments, City boards and commissions; to represent the City in litigation
and coordinate with outside legal counsel representing the City; to plan, organize and
direct the activities of the City Attorney's Office; to supervise legal staff; to coordinate
activities with other departments; and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the
City Council.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives policy direction from the City
Council. Exercises direct supervision over professional and clerical staff and outside
legal counsel.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Duties may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
Essential Job Duties
• Render legal opinions to the City Council, City Manager and department staff, City
boards and commissions, as required; analyze legislation affecting the City;
• Attend meetings of the City Council, boards, commissions, and committees as
may be required, and render legal advice on agenda items;
• Develop, plan, implement and administer Department goals and objectives as well
as policies and procedures necessary to provide legal services; approve new or
modified programs, systems, policies and procedures;
• Direct the development and administration of the Department's budget; direct the
forecast of funds needed for staffing, outside legal counsel, equipment, materials
and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; prepare and implement mid -year
corrections;
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Department's work plan,
assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow; review and
evaluate work products, methods and procedures;
• Coordinate Department activities with those of other departments and outside
agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the City Council and City
City Attorney
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City of Newport Beach
• Coordinate, supervise and monitor the services of outside counsel retained to
represent the City.
• Recommend appoint of, train, motivate and evaluate staff; establish and monitor
employee performance objectives; prepare and present employee performance
reviews; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct
deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; recommend employee
terminations;
• Review proposed contracts, bond and financing papers, insurance policies and
other documents affecting the City;
• Monitor and control liability claims and lawsuits;
• Prepare or review drafts and assist in the negotiation of proposed agreements
and development agreements; prepare or review ordinances, resolutions, deeds,
pleadings, contracts and other legal documents;
• Appear before courts and administrative proceedings to represent the City's
interest as required;
• Perform related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
Modern and highly complex principles and practices of municipal law;
Methods of public agency administration and public works contracting;
Principles of personnel administration, supervision, and training;
Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of City government and
the City Attorney's office;
Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional and
administrative law and procedure;
Constitutional and police power concepts of municipalities, due process, Brown
Act, Public Records Act, and conflict of interest law;
City Attorney
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City of Newport Beach
Knowledge of water quality State regulations and the legality of measures to
improve water quality and conserve water usage
Ordinances, statutes, and court decisions relating to municipal corporations;
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence;
Litigation and administrative hearing law for governmental claims processing;
Land use and CEQA law;
Methods of legal research;
Established precedent and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal
activities.
Specialized Knowledge Desirable:
Aviation law as it relates to protecting the quality of life of communities
surrounding a major airport;
Water quality control law;
State and Federal law related to fair housing issues;
California Tidelands law
California Coastal Act establishing the Coastal Commission and its enforcement.
Abili to:
Organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge of complex legal
problems; effectively apply legal knowledge and principles in court;
Present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically;
Prepare and present difficult cases in court;
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Conduct research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions;
Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and
policies;
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate professional and clerical staff;
City Attorney City of Newport Beach
Page 4
Develop and administer a department budget;
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationship with the general public,
staff, committee members and public officials.
Experience and Training: Any combination of experience and training that would
likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to
obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience
in municipal or other similar government law including trial experience with
at least three years experience as a City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney
for a city (either in house or with a legal firm representing a city).
Training: Equivalent to a Jurist Doctorate from an accredited law school.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid
California driver's license. Membership in the State Bar of California.