To: Board of Supervisors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Contract Amendment with Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing Board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation, to increase the payment limit by $300,000 to a new payment limit of $800,000 and to extend the term end date from August 31, 2025 to August 31, 2028, for internal administrative investigations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budgeted. 100% CCCFPD General Operating Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has an ongoing need for specialized professional services to conduct internal administrative investigations involving workplace and personnel matters. To fulfill this need, the District engaged Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation, a firm recognized for its expertise in workplace investigations, employment law, and litigation. Van Dermyden Makus Law’s services support the District in navigating complex investigative processes while ensuring compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including the Firefighter Bill of Rights.
Since the agreement's inception, the scope of personnel investigations has expanded substantially in both complexity and scale. This unanticipated development has required a greater allocation of time and resources to ensure the matter is addressed in a thorough, objective, and legally compliant manner.
In light of the expanded scope, the District requires continued and enhanced support from Van Dermyden Makus Law. Accordingly, an amendment to the existing contract is necessary to provide for the additional services and associated costs. The District remains committed to utilizing Van Dermyden Makus Law’s specialized expertise to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of its internal investigative processes.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this contract amendment is not approved, the District would have to identify alternate means to complete a complex personnel investigation in a timely and compliant manner, increasing the risk of legal exposure.