TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to enter into an agreement with California State Department of General Services/Office of Administrative Hearings in the amount of $100,000 for five years to utilize Administrative Law Judges to conduct disability retirement and other appeal hearings. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
State Legislation in 1991 required local agencies to utilize Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) to conduct disability retirement appeal hearings for safety sworn personnel (Police and Fire). As a result, in 1992 the City of Long Beach entered into an agreement with the Office of Administrative Hearings, Department of General Services, for use of ALJs by the Civil Service Commission to conduct such appeals. In 2009, new state legislation passed that required the use of ALJs to conduct disciplinary appeal hearings for sworn Fire personnel.
At this time, the Department of General Service/Office of Administrative Hearings is updating its agreements with all agencies through a new and revised agreement form. This agreement is in the amount of $100,000 for five years.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on November 22, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on December 17, 2013, in order to continue the uninterrupted scheduling of disability retirement appeals and other appeals.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Civil Service Department has budgeted funds to cover the costs to conduct these appeal hearings.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MARIO R. BEAS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER