Council forms ad hoc committee to recommend lead labor negotiator for upcoming bargaining

The Redlands City Council voted to form an ad hoc committee to interview and recommend a lead labor negotiator to represent the city in upcoming contract negotiations with nine bargaining units. Assistant City Manager McConnell explained that the nine memoranda of understanding expire next year (June 30) and staff recommended using an outside labor negotiator due to the complexity of labor negotiations. The council discussed reappointing a previously used negotiator (Laura Kalti of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore) but opted to form an ad hoc committee to consider options.

Public commenter Steve Rogers urged the council to use the personnel director as negotiator and to adopt a stronger code of conduct; the speaker argued for internal accountability rather than outside counsel.

Councilmembers expressed differing views about retaining past counsel versus seeking other options. Councilmember Davis said she favored option 2 (forming an ad hoc committee) and volunteered to serve. Mayor Pro Tem Shaw also volunteered. The council then moved and approved formation of the ad hoc committee and appointed Mayor Pro Tem Mark Shaw and Councilmember Denise Davis to the panel. The council recorded affirmative votes from Councilmember Barich, Councilmember Tejeda, Councilmember Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Shaw and Mayor Sacedo.

Staff said negotiator fees are charged hourly, that some smaller bargaining units might not require outside representation, and that the city aims to have recommendations to the full council in September and potentially begin substantive negotiations earlier in the calendar year with crunch time in March–May.