Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Resources topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor’s HR pick draws questions from Tonawanda council about RFPs and oversight
Summary
A visiting HR consulting team outlined fractional HR services for the city; council members praised the need but raised procurement and oversight questions after the firm said it had not responded to a competitive bid process.
Two HR consultants visited the Tonawanda council on March 3 to describe fractional human resources services — leave management, employee relations, investigations and mandatory training — that they say can be delivered on a limited on‑site basis.
Alicia Tomasello, who introduced herself as a senior consultant, told council members the firm bills hourly and can perform investigations, training and leave‑management work in 15‑minute increments. She said the firm typically provides 10–20 hours per month of on‑site support and can facilitate required New York State harassment training using state materials.
Mayor Bill Strasburg and others characterized the service as a needed resource for city employees. “This to me isn't a want. This is a need,” the mayor said, noting the city historically relied on outside counsel at high hourly rates for routine HR questions.
Several council members pressed the administration on procurement. Tomasello said the firm did not respond to a competitive RFP for Tonawanda; she was referred by the mayor’s attorney. Council member concerns focused on whether the contract should be solicited more broadly under the professional services procurement rules. Council President Jenna Cook and others asked for formal procurement steps and for the firm to participate in a competitive process if the city prefers that route.
The council did not vote on a contract at the meeting. Members asked the administration to provide a procurement plan and to circulate the firm’s engagement letter, resumes and client references for review before any contract vote.
Council members said they recognize HR capacity is needed in the interim but requested clarity on scope, billing, and whether outside counsel would still be consulted for legal matters. Tomasello said the firm regularly consults outside attorneys for specialty matters and that the firm’s fees are structured to avoid long‑term salary commitments.
The matter will be revisited once procurement and contract details are provided to the council.
