by Derek P. Cole on December 9, 2014
posted in CEQA,
Agencies should make sure the notices they give under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) do not end on a holiday. So ruled a court in a recent case challenging the approval of a tentative map. ... Continue Reading
by Derek P. Cole on December 2, 2014
posted in Ethics,
The question is one that small local agencies often face. What happens when the agency needs to purchase goods or services from a company that is at least partially owned by one of its elected officials? A very recent Attorney General opinion answers this question clearly: find somewhere else to get the goods or services. ... Continue Reading
by David G. Ritchie on November 21, 2014
posted in Employment Law,
The California Public Employment Relations Board recently released their annual report for 2013-14. PERB is the regulatory agency with authority over public sector labor and employment relations within the State of California, including those of Cities, Counties and Special Districts forming a significant portion of our clients. Some interesting and informative statistics are contained in each annual report regarding filings with PERB and PERB decisions. ... Continue Reading
by William R. Galstan on November 4, 2014
posted in Public Works, Uncategorised,
It happens all too frequently: your city or county receives a good bid on a public works project, and then discovers that the low bidder has made a mistake on the bid or omitted a necessary page of information. An appellate case decided earlier this year, Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. v. City of San Leandro holds that seemingly important bid flaws are not always fatal. ... Continue Reading
by David G. Ritchie on October 28, 2014
posted in Employment Law,
Most employers understand the importance and need to provide training for employees that discusses prevention and correction of sexual harassment in the workplace. All employees must be provided with information from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing about sexual harassment; and, since 2006, some employers have been required to provide training to supervisors by a trainer with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. As well, most employers know they have an obligation to maintain policies designed to prevent sexual harassment. ... Continue Reading