TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any related documents, with the State of California Department of General Services, Office of Administrative Hearings, to provide Administrative Law Judges to conduct disability retirement and other appeal hearings, in a total amount not to exceed $175,000 for a period of five years, with the option to renew for up to three additional one-year periods at a cost not to exceed $35,000 per year. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 1991, State legislation required local agencies to utilize Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) to conduct disability retirement appeal hearings for sworn safety personnel (police and fire). As a result, in 1992, the City of Long Beach entered into an agreement with the State of California Department of General Services, Office of Administrative Hearings, for the Civil Service Commission to utilize ALJs to conduct such appeals. In 2009, additional State legislation was passed requiring ALJs to conduct disciplinary appeal hearings for sworn fire personnel.
The agreement allocates $175,000 to utilize ALJs for police and fire disability retirement appeal hearings and Fire disciplinary appeal hearings during the five-year agreement from January 27, 2019, through January 27, 2024. The agreement also includes renewal options for up to three additional one-year periods.
This matter was reviewed by Principal Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on February 15, 2019 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on March 1, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on March 19, 2019, to continue the uninterrupted scheduling of disability retirement appeals and other appeals.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract amount will not exceed $175,000 for the initial five-year period; subsequent amendments will not exceed $35,000 per year. Funds to support these activities are budgeted in the Insurance Fund (IS 391) in the Civil Service De...
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