STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Core
AGENDA DATE: August 27, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Civil Service
EXECUTIVE: Donzell Gipson
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) the reappointment of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law, for the period January 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027; (2) the appointment of Jody Gilzene, Claire Em Motivators, LLC, Chambers Legal PLLC, and Nicole N. Walker Owens, as Administrative Law Judges for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, to hear employee appeals of terminations and demotions; and (3) contracts with each ALJ in the amount of $15,000.00 each - Total not to exceed $75,000.00 - Financing: General Fund (subject to appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
The City Charter was amended August 12, 1989, to establish the Administrative Law Judge alternative to the Trial Board. The employee has the option of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or Trial Board. ALJs have either five years’ experience in adjudicating personnel issues or three years as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and are compensated $400.00 per day, with the appealing employee paying up to half of this amount. ALJ hearings are conducted to provide a due process hearing for discharged or demoted employees. The ALJ hears sworn testimony, reviews documentary evidence, and renders a decision following the same hearing procedures as used by the Trial Board.
On December 6, 1995, the City Council authorized an ordinance to empower the Judicial Nominating Commission to recruit, interview, and nominate candidates to serve as Administrative Law Judges for Council approval by resolution No. 95-4007; Ordinance No. 22612.
Contracts for two ALJs will expire on December 31, 2025.
The Judicial Nominating Committee conducted interviews in connection with its required evaluation of Administrative Law Judges on Thursday, May 29, 2025, including current ALJs and new applicants.
The Judicial Nominating Committee has forwarded five nominees for terms as Administrative Law Judge. One nominee for ALJ is a reappointment. The other four nominees for ALJ are new appointments.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On December 13, 1989, the City Council authorized Personnel Rules revision to implement the Administrative Law Judge option for employee appeal hearings by Ordinance No. 20526.
On October 23, 1991, the City Council authorized an increase in the term of appointment from one year to two years by Ordinance No. 21091.
On December 6, 1995, the City Council authorized placing the selecting responsibilities with the Judicial Nominating Commission by Ordinance No. 22612.
On January 11, 2012, the City Council authorized the reappointment of one Administrative Law Judge, Willie Crowder, and the appointment of Jean B. Crutchfield and Dougles J. Lapidus as Administrative Law Judges for the period of January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2013, to hear employee appeals of terminations and demotions by Resolution No. 12-0164.
On December 11, 2013, the City Council authorized the reappointment of two Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), Willie Crowder and Douglas J. Lapidus and the appointment of Kelsie McQuietor, Lakisha M. Thigpen and James E. Urmin Sr. as Administrative Law Judges for the period of January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2015, to hear employee appeals of terminations and demotions by Resolution No. 13-2148.
On April 13, 2016, the City Council authorized the reappointment of three Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), Douglas J. Lapidus, Lakisha M. Thigpen and James E. Urmin Sr. and the appointment of Doreen McGookey and Ifeyinwa J. Seales, as Administrative Law Judges for the period of January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2017, to hear employee appeals of terminations and demotions by Resolution No. 16-0529.
On November 8, 2017, the City Council authorized the reappointment of two Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), Lakisha M. Thigpen and James E. Urmin Sr. and the appointment of Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law and Hobert T. Douglas, as Administrative Law Judges for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, to hear employee appeals of terminations and demotions by Resolution No. 17-1773.
On December 23, 2019, the City Manager authorized the extension of the Administrative Law Judge Contract for Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law to December 31, 2020, approved by Administrative Action No. 19-7108.
On December 5, 2020, the City Manager authorized the extension of the Administrative Law Judge Contract for Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law to December 31, 2022, approved by Administrative Action No. 20-6272.
On October 13, 2022, the City Manager authorized the extension of the Administrative Law Judge Contract for Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law to December 31, 2024, approved by Administrative Action No. 22-6401.
On April 3, 2025, the City Manager authorized the extension of the Administrative Law Judge Contract for Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law to December 31, 2025, approved by Administrative Action No. 25-5591.
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Judicial Nominating Committee (JNC) recommended the reappointment of Karen R. Washington dba Karen Roberts Washington, Attorney at Law as Administrative Law Judge, whose current appointment expires December 31, 2025.
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Judicial Nominating Committee (JNC) recommended that Jody Gilzene, Claire Em Motivators, LLC, Chambers Legal PLLC, and Nicole N. Walker Owens, be appointed as Administrative Law Judges.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
Future Years |
|
General Fund |
$37,500.00 |
$37,500.00 |
$0.00 |