Report Prepared by: Suzanne Fierro, Human Resources Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Provide Staff Direction on the Award of a Professional Services Agreement with GVP Ventures, Inc. for Conducting Executive Recruitment Services to Include the Community Engagement Services ($10,000), Police Chief Recruitment ($27,000), City Attorney Recruitment ($32,000), and Additional Management Recruitments ($25,000) for an Amount not to Exceed $94,000 and Approval of a Supplemental Appropriation in the General Fund in the Amount not to Exceed $94,000
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers awarding a contract and approving a Professional Services Agreement with the recruitment firm GVP Ventures, Inc (formerly Bob Murray and Associates) for the not to exceed amount of $94,000. Recruitment services would be provided for Police Chief, and based on City Council direction, Community Engagement, City Attorney and other management positions.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Awarding a Professional Services contract for executive recruitment services to GVP Ventures, Inc (formerly Bob Murray and Associates) in an amount not to exceed $27,000; and,
B. Approving a supplemental appropriation in the amount of up to $27,000 from the General Fund unreserved, unencumbered fund balance, transferring to Fund 672-Support Services and appropriating the same in the Personnel Professional Services account line to cover the Police Chief recruitment cost; and,
C. Approving a supplemental appropriation in the amount of up to $32,000 from the General Fund unreserved, unencumbered fund balance, transferring to Fund 672-Support Services and appropriating the same in the Personnel Professional Services account line to cover future City Attorney and other executive recruitment costs; and,
D. Approving a supplemental appropriation in the amount of up to $25,000 from the General Fund unreserved, unencumbered fund balance, transferring to Fund 672-Support Services and appropriating the same in the Personnel Professional Services account line to cover other executive recruitment costs; and,
E. Approving a supplemental appropriation in the amount of up to $10,000 from the General Fund unreserved, unencumbered fund balance, transferring to Fund 672-Support Services and appropriating the same in the Personnel Professional Services account line to cover optional services for said recruitments; and,
F. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments for future recruitment of City Attorney for a not exceed amount of $32,000, other executive recruitment of not to exceed $25,000, and optional services for said recruitment(s) not to exceed $10,000; and,
G. Authorizing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute the Agreement for Professional Services; and,
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended; or
2. Deny; or
3. Refer to staff for further study; or
4. Take no action.
AUTHORITY
Article XI, Section 1111 of the Merced City Charter, Fiscal Administration.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2022-2023 adopted budget.
DISCUSSION
In December 2022, the current Police Chief will be retiring from the City of Merced. Historically the Police Chief has been a difficult position to fill within all public agencies across the country. The City would like to secure the services of an executive recruitment firm to assist with and coordinate the recruitment process.
A request for proposal (RFP) was prepared seeking proposals from qualified firms to serve in the capacity of recruiter. Staff conducted an initial review of all the submitted proposals and narrowed the list of potential vendors down to four, Baker Tilly, CPS HR, GVP Ventures, Inc. and Peckham and McKenney. A staff committee made up of the City Manager, Deputy City Manager and HR Manager interviewed all four firms.
GVP Ventures, Inc. proved to be the most viable option for the City. Out of all the vendors, GVP Ventures, Inc is by far the most experienced firm in recruiting for various executive positions. During their interview, GVP Ventures, Inc was able to outline their process for conducting recruitments from beginning to end. This process includes advertising, finding candidates, conducting reference checks and facilitating interviews. Based on this information, the staff committee is recommending that a contract for executive recruitment services be awarded to GVP Ventures, Inc. for the immediate recruitment of Police Chief in the amount of $27,000. Previous comments from the City Council have also included the desire to allow the community to participate in various stages of the Police Chief recruitment. GVP ventures, Inc. has outlined a robust Community Engagement plan that can include an online survey, in-person stakeholder sessions and a community panel to make recommendations to the hiring manager. Staff are seeking direction on which elements of community engagement should be included in the Police Chief recruitment process.
The City would like the City Council to consider using GVP Ventures, Inc. for additional executive recruitments as necessary, including an in-house City Attorney. The attached agreement also includes a fee schedule for additional executive recruitments. The fee for the recruitment of an in-house City Attorney will be at the not to exceed amount of $32,000. The City has been without an in-house City Attorney since July of 2021 and has been using the services of Lozano Smith for attorney services. Any additional executive recruitments will be at the not to exceed amount of $25,000.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
A supplemental appropriation is needed from the General Fund unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in the amount up to $94,000, transferring to Fund 672-Support Services and appropriating the same in the Personnel Professional Service account line to cover the Police Chief recruitment and future City Attorney and/or executive recruitment costs.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Professional Services Agreement