HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-87-0235J-87-237
I .3/5/87
RESOLUTION
8 7-235
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VALLE-AXELBERD AND
ASSOCIATES, INC., IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING PSYCHOLOGICAL
SCREENING PROCEDURES FOR POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS AT A
COST NOT TO EXCEED FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED
FIFTY DOLLARS ($47,250) WITH FUNDS THEREFOR ALLOCATED
FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
WHEREAS, it has been determined that certain modifications
are needed in the selection process for Police Officer in order
to accomplish improved screening; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that in-depth and comprehen-
sive psychological evaluation of Police Officer applicants is
among the modifications needed in the selection procedure; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami desired to have state-of-the-art
screening and selection procedures for the job of Police Officer;
and
WHEREAS, the firm of Valle-Axelberd and Associates, Inc.,
has been determined to be best equipped to provide the
appropriate psychological evaluation procedures; and
WHEREAS, Valle-Axelberd and Associates, Inc., is willing to
comply with the contractual requirements specified by the City of
Miami; and
WHEREAS, the funds necessary for the execution of this
agreement are available from salary savings in the Police
Department budget;
V W, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute
an agreement, in substantially the form attached, with Valle-
Axelberd and Associates, Inc., for comprehensive psychological
evaluation of Police Officer candidates, in an amount not to
exceed $47,250 with funds therefor hereby allocated from the
Police Department budget.
ATTACHMENTS
CONTAINED
CITY COMMISSION
MEETING OF
MAR 13 1987 :SOLUTION m. 87==5
'MARKS:
■
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 13th DAY OF March , 1987.
VIER L. SUARNZ, MAYOR
ATTESTS
i
MMM
HIRAI, CITY CLERK
PREPARED AND APPROVED BY:
J
ROBERT F. CLARK
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY
BUDGETARY REVIEW & APPROVED BY:
FINAN IEW & APPROVED BY:
^1Gli
CARLO ARCIA, DIRECTOR
APPR0WD A91 TO FORM :AND CORRECTNESS:
CITY ATTORNEY
0
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Agreement entered into this day of
087, by and between the City of Miami, a municipal corporation
of Dade County, Florida, hereinafter referred to as "CITY" and
Valle-Axelberd & Associates, Inc., a Florida for Profit
Corporation hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT."
R E C I T A L
WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MIAMI, requires professional services
in the nature of psychological screening procedures for police
officer applicants; and
WHEREAS, the CONSULTANT has expressed a desire to perform
the required services-for'the CITY;
Now, THEREFORE, the CITY and the CONSULTANT do mutually
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT
The Consultant shall:
A. Administer an evaluation format consisting of the
following instruments and procedure.
1. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
2. California Psychological Inventory (CPI)
3. Rorschach Psychodiagnostic Inkblots
4. Revised Beta Examination II (Beta II)
5. Clinical Interview
B. Interpret the battery of tests in item A to screen out
police applicants who possess mental conditions or
psychological characteristics that make them a high risk
for the position of police officer. Examples of
conditions and characteristics to be tested for include
the following:
1. Psychosis
2. Lack of impulse control
3. High -degree of immaturity
4. Poor judgment capabilities
5. Character disorders (especially those individuals
who may be prone to corruption or unable to follow a }
rules)
8'7--235
6. Tendencies to be very passive or aggressive in
critical situations
7. High anxiety levels or inability to cope with the
stress of police work
8. Very poor socialization skills/inability to interact
with the public
9. Racial or ethnic prejudice
C. Identify those characteristics in individuals which
would qualify them as good candidates. These would
include:
1. Good judgment during crisis situations
2. Capacity to handle responsibility
3. Good general academic potential
4. Flexibility and good socialization skills
5. Good self-concept
6. Ability to manage stress
D. Conduct a clinical interview with each applicant to
identify evidence of the following:
1. Psychiatric history
2. Drug or alcohol usage
3. Employment history/problems
4. Prior: arrest or legal problems
5. Family history problems
6. Any other potential problems
7. Confirm written test findings
E. Submit to the Miami Police Department and the Department -
of Personnel Management an evaluation report on each
applicant which includes, at a minimum, the following:
1. The applicant's demographic information.
2. The names of tests administered.
3. Evidence of behavior problems.
4. Evidence' of problems such as drug or alcohol use,
psychiatric disorders, employment or job related
difficulties, motor vehicle accidents/violations and
prior arrests.
5. A summary statement which addresses the applicant's
potential for police training and suitability as a
future police officer, including a rating of
acceptable, marginal or unsuitable for each
applicant. The turnaround time from testing to
receipt of the report by the departments shall not
exceed more than 10 days.
F. Provide the Miami Police Department Backgrounds Unit
with supplemental written materials (complete glossary
of all terms relevant to the screening process and
evaluation reports), and training to facilitate the use
l of the psychological report.
G. Work on a continuous basis as needed with background
investigators in order to facilitate the use of the
psychological report.
H. Remain available on an as -needed basis to answer any
questions or clarify the results of any applicants'
report.
I. Defend and/or represent the City if any claims or
allegations about the validity of the test battery are
made. Consultant shall charge a fee of $150.00 an hour
for court testimony. }
t
-2-
6. Tendencies to be very passive or aggressive in
critical situations
7. High anxiety levels or inability to cope with the
stress of police work
8. Very poor socialization skills/inability to interact
with the public
9. Racial or ethnic prejudice
C. Identify those characteristics in individuals which
would qualify them as good candidates. These would
include:
1. Good judgment during crisis situations
2. Capacity to handle responsibility
3. Good general academic potential
4. Flexibility and good socialization skills
5. Good self-concept
6. Ability to manage stress
D. Conduct a clinical interview with each applicant to
identify evidence of the following:
1. Psychiatric history
2. Drug or alcohol usage
3. Employment history/problems
4. Prior arrest or legal problems
5. family history problems
6. Any other potential problems
7. Confirm written test findings
E. Submit to the Miami Police Department and the Department
of Personnel Management an evaluation report on each
applicant which includes, at a minimum, the following:
1. The applicant's demographic information.
2. The names of tests administered.
3. Evidence of behavior problems.
4. Evidence' of problems such as drug or alcohol use,
psychiatric disorders, employment or job related
difficulties, motor vehicle accidents/violations and
prior arrests.
5. A summary statement which addresses the applicant's
potential for police training and suitability as a
future police officer, including a rating of
acceptable, marginal or unsuitable for each
applicant. The turnaround time from testing to
receipt of the report by the departments shall not
exceed more than 10 days.
F. Provide the Miami Police Department Backgrounds Unit
with supplemental written materials (complete glossary
of all terms relevant to the screening process and
evaluation reports), and training to facilitate the use
of the psychological report.
G. Work on a continuous basis as needed with background
investigators in order to facilitate the use of the
psychological report.
H. Remain available on an as -needed basis to answer any
questions or clarify the results of any applicants'
report.
I. Defend and/or represent the City if any claims or
allegations about the validity of the test battery are
made. Consultant shall charge a fee of $150.00 an hour
for court testimony.
-2-
J. Consultant shall carry the maximum professional
liability coverage for the handling of all claims
involving negligence and/or statutory, constitutional
and/or civil rights violations on the part of the
Consultant. The City of Miami shall be named as an
additional insured on the Consultant's liability policy.
K. Other tasks/practices and conditions relating to
applicant screening shall include:
1. Retesting and re-evaluations of applicants as
requested by the Miami Police Department.
2. Appearance and testimony in a court of law regarding
the results of evaluations performed under the terms
of this AGREEMENT.
3. Research and investigation to assure that all tests
and procedures used in the screening process are, as
far as possible, reliable, valid, and cross-
cultural.
4. Meeting with representatives of the Department of
Personnel Management and the Miami Police Department
concerning the results of evaluations, the
evaluation process in general, and administrative
and contractual matters.
5. The use of test norms and actuarial data based on
police populations.
6. The use of test scales which measure the degree of
response validity.
7. Maintain for a period of five years all raw test
results and clinical notes with respect to each
applicant evaluated. After the five year period the
aforementioned documents shall be hand delivered to
the Department of Personnel Management.
B. Submittal of a quarterly report to the Department of
Personnel Management which summarizes the prior
three months test results. This data must be
prepared and organized in a manner conducive to
later research by the Department of Personnel
Management which will use performance in the police
academy and performance on the job and other
criterion measures to attempt to confirm the
validity of the psychological evaluation process.
9. The active pursuit of a positive Affirmative Action
and Minority Business Development program. Also,
upon request by the CITY, the CONSULTANT shall
submit evidence of progress towards, and compliance
with, the objectives of said programs.
ARTICLE II
TERMS OF PAYMENT BY THE CITY OF MIAMI
The CITY shall pay .the CONSULTANT the sum of $185.00 per
police applicant evaluation. This payment shall be inclusive of
all expenses and shall constitute total payment for all the
services and products identified in ARTICLE I of this contract,
including the retesting and re-evaluation of applicants, as
requested by the Miami Police Department. The only additional
i
-3- 57,...235
i
i
compensation the CONSULTANT shall be entitled to is payment for
appearance and testimony in a court of law at the rate of $150
per hour.
Total payments to the CONSULTANT for the 12-month term of
this AGREEMENT and for the 12-month term of the extension to this
AGREEMENT, if exercised, shall not exceed $47,250 for each 12-
month period.
Invoices for services rendered shall be submitted to the
Miami Police Department which shall make its best effort to pay
the CONSULTANT within four to six weeks following receipt of said
invoices.
The evaluation of police applicants is to be provided on an
"as -needed basis" as scheduled by the Miami Police Department
with the approval of the Director or Assistant Director of the
r
Department of Personnel Management.
ARTICLE III
TERMS OF CONTRACT
This Agreement shall be in effect for a period of 12 months
from the date of execution, and terminate at 11:59 p.m. on the
, day of , 1988. At the discretion of the
- CITY and with the agreement of the CONSULTANT, this Agreement may
be extended for an additional 12-month period.
ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION OF CONTRACT
The City retains the right to terminate this Agreement at
any time prior to the completion of the services required
pursuant to Articles II -and III hereof without penalty to the
City. In such an event, notice of termination of this Agreement
shall be in writing to the CONSULTANT who shall be paid for all
services performed prior to the date of its receipt of the notice
of termination. In no case, however, will the CITY pay the
CONSULTANT an amount in excess of the total sum provided by this:
i.
AGREEMENT.
4"
-4- 87-2315
It is hereby understood by and between the CITY and the
CONSULTANT that any payment made in accordance with this Article
to the CONSULTANT shall be made only if said CONSULTANT is not in
default under the terms of this Agreement. If the CONSULTANT is
in default under the terms of this Agreement, then the CITY shall
in no way be obligated and shall not pay the CONSULTANT any sum
whatsoever.
ARTICLE V
NONDISCRIMINATION
z CONSULTANT shall not discriminate as to race, sex, color,
creed national origin or handicap in connection with its
performance under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL CONDITIONS
A) All notices or other communications which shall or may
be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be delivered by personal service, or by registered mail addressed
to the other party at the address indicated herein or as the same
may be changed from time to time. Such notice shall be deemed
given on the day on which personally served; or, if by mail, on
the fifth day after being postmarked or the date of actual
receipt, whichever is earlier.
FOR CITY OF MIAMI
Angela R. Bellamy, Director
Department of Personnel Management
1145 N.W. llth Street,,Room 103
Miami, Florida 33136
Q
FOR CONSULTANT
Valle-Axelberd and Associates, Inc.
1901 Ponce De Leon
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
• -s- 87--23$
B) In the event of conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and any terms or conditions contained in any attached
documents, the terms in this Agreement shall rule.
C) No waiver or breach of any provision of this Agreement
shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or
any other provision hereof, and no waiver shall be effective
unless made in writing.
D) Should any provisions, paragraphs, sentences, words or
phrases contained in this Agreement be determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or otherwise
unenforceable under the laws of the State of Florida or the City
of Miami, such provisions, paragraphs, sentences, words or
phrases shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary in order
to conform to such laws, or if not modifiable to conform to such
laws, then same shall be deemed serverable, and in either event,
the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain
unmodified and in full force and effect.
ARTICLE VII
AWARD OF AGREEMENT
The CONSULTANT warrants that it has not employed or retained
any person employed by the CITY to solicit or secure this
Agreement and that it has not offered to pay, paid, or agreed to
pay any person employed by the CITY any fee, commission
percentage, brokerage fee, or gift of any kind contingent upon or
resulting from the award of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
NONDELEGABILITY
The obligations undertaken by the CONSULTANT pursuant to
this Agreement shall not be delegated or assigned to any other
person or firm unless the CITY shall first consent in writing to
the performance or assignment of such service or any part thereof
by another person or firm.
WNW
ARTICLE IX
CONSTRUCTION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall be construed and enforced according
to the laws of the State of Florida.
ARTICLE X
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties herein,
their heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and ,
assigns.
ARTICLE XI
AUDIT RIGHTS
The CITY reserves the right to audit the records of the
CONSULTANT as they relate to the performance of CONSULTANT's
services hereunder at any time during the performance of this
Agreement and for a period of one year after final payment is
made under this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
CONSULTANT shall indemnify, defend, and save the CITY
harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities,
losses, and cause of action, which may arise out of CONSULTANT's
activities under this contract, including all other omissions to
act on the part of the CONSULTANT or any of them, including any
person acting for or on his or their behalf, and, from and
against any orders, judgments or decrees which may be entered and
from and against all costs, attorney's fees, expenses and
liabilities incurred in the defense of any such claims, or in the
investigation thereof.
ARTICLE XIII
INSURANCE
The CONSULTANT shall provide professional liability
insurance with a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000.00
(one million dollars) for each associate and $1,000,000.00 (one
million dollars) for the firm. A certificate of insurance shall
be submitted to the City of Miami, Claims Management Division,
prior to execution of this agreement.
The CITY shall be named as an "Additional Insured" on
such policy and a "Certificate of Insurance" shall be supplied as
evidence of such coverage upon execution of this Agreement.
• ARTICLE XIV
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The CONSULTANT convenants that no person under its employ
who presently exercises any functions or responsibilities in
connection with this Agreement has any personal financial
interests, direct or indirect, in this Agreement. The CONSULTANT
further convenants that, in the performance of this Agreement, no
person having such conflicting interest shall be employed. Any
such interests on the part of the CONSULTANT or its employees
must be disclosed in writing to the CITY.
The CONSULTANT is aware of the conflict of interest laws
of the City of Miami (City of Miami Code Chapter 2, Article V),
Dade County, Florida (Dade County Code, Section 2-11.1) and the
State of Florida, and agrees that it will fully comply in all
respects with the terms of said laws.
ARTICLE XV
OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
All documents developed by CONSULTANT under this
r
Agreement shall be• delivered to CITY by said CONSULTANT upon
i
j
8 7-23 I`'
completion of the services required pursuant to Articles I and II
hereof and shall become the property of CITY, without restriction
or limitation on its use. CONSULTANT agrees that all documents
maintained and generated pursuant to this contractual
relationship between CITY and CONSULTANT shall be subject to all
provisions of the Public Records Law, Chapter 119, Florida
Statutes.
It is further understood by and between the parties that
any information, ;writings, maps, contract documents, reports or
any other matter whatsoever which is given by CITY to CONSULTANT
pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times remain the property
of CITY and shall not be used by CONSULTANT for any other
purposes whatsoever without the written consent of the CITY.
ARTICLE XVI
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
The CONSULTANT and its employees and agents shall be
deemed to be independent contractors, and not agents or employees
of the CITY, and shall not attain any rights or benefits under
the Civil Service or Pension Ordinances of CITY, or any rights
generally afforded classified or unclassified employees; further
they sha)- not be deemed entitled to Florida Worker's
Compensati::4n benefits employees of the CITY.
1.iw-6
ARTICLE XVII
COMPLIANCE
CONSULTANT acknowledges that it has been furnished a copy of
the Ordinance No. 10062, the Minority Procurement Ordinance of
the City of Miami, and agrees to comply with all applicable
substantive and procedural provisions therein, including any
amendments thereto.
-9- 8 7-235
ARTICLE XVIII
CONTINGENCY CLAUSE
Funding for this Agreement is contingent on the availability
of funds and continued authorization for program activities and
is subject to amendment or termination due to lack of funds, or
authorization, reduction of funds, and/or change in regulations.
ARTICLE XIX
DEFAULT PROVISION
In the event that CONSULTANT shall fail to comply with each
and every term and condition of this Agreement or fails to
perform any of the terms and conditions contained herein, then
CITY, at its sole option, upon written notice to CONSULTANT may
cancel and terminate this Agreement, and all payments, advances,
or other compensation paid to CONSULTANT by CITY while CONSULTANT
was in default of the provisions herein contained, shall be
forthwith returned to CITY.
XX
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This instrument and its attachments constitute the sole and
only Agreement of the parties hereto relating to said grant and
correctly sets forth the rights, duties, and obligations of each
to the other as of its date. Any prior agreements, promises,
negotiations, or representations not expressly set forth in this
Agreement are of no force or effect.
AKENDMENTS
No amendments to this AGreement shall be binding on either
party unless in writing and signed by both parties.
-10-
S'7-235 I
�\ a
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officials thereunto
duly authorized, this the day and year first above written.
Attest:
Attest:
City Clerk
CONSULTANT
Valle-Azelberd & Associates
By:
CITY OF MIAMI, a municipal
Corporation of the State of
Florida
By:
Cesar H. Odio
City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
City Attorney
APPROVED AS'TO INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:
-11-
8'7-235
— a
�
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO; The Honorable Mayor and DATE: March 5, 1987 FILE:
Members of the City Commission
SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution and Contract
for Psychological Evaluation
Services to Assist in Selecting
Police Officers
FROM: Cesar H.. Odio REFERENCES:
City Manager
ENCLOSURES:
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Commission adopt a Resolution
authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services
agreement with Valle-Axelberd and Associates, Inc., to provide
psychological screening procedures for Police Officer applicants
at a cost not to exceed $47,250 with funds available in the
Police Department budget, per the attached Resolution.
BACKGROUND
In December, 1986, I instituted a Police Task Force consisting of
top members of my staff and of the Police Department staff to
Jointly review present procedures within the Police Department
and recommend changes directed at strengthening operations and
Improving the efficiency of internal operating procedures. One
of the main areas of concern was the need for clinical psycho-
logical evaluation of Police Officer candidates.
The Departments of Personnel Management and Police have been
engaged in the process of analyzing the current Police Officer
selection process. The analysis has resulted in several recom-
mendations designed to incorporate comprehensive job -related
selection practices and techniques which provide for more in-
depth screening of candidates.
Included in the recommendations is the incorporation of compre-
hensive psychological screening within the Police Officer selec-
tion process. This will undoubtedly increase the effectiveness
of police hiring practices.
The Department of Personnel Management has evaluated several
local consultants in terms of their qualifications, past perform-
ance, logistics, scope of services, etc. The Departments of Per-
sonnel Management and Police have :oncluded that the firm of
Valle-Axelberd and Associates, Inc., will provide the best over-
all comprehensive psychological evaluation package for the City
of Miami.
87-235.
•
The Honorable
Members of
March 5, 1987
Page 2
Mayor and
the City Commission
This firm presently conducts psychological testing for many other
local jurisdictions, including Metro -Dade County, the City of
Hialeah, the City of Coral Gables, Florida International Univer-
sity - Public Safety Department, and the City of North Miami.
The firm also has a proven track record with the Miami Police De-
partment (over a period of approximately 10 years) providing a
full scope of individual and group psychological services at the
in-service level.
The Police Task Force at its February 18, 1987, meeting reviewed
the staff's recommendation of the firm and the supporting con-
tract and has recommended immediate implementation in order to
process pending Police Officer candidates through the psychologi-
cal evaluation for the next class scheduled to begin on April 20,
1987.
The recommended professional services agreement is for a period
of one (1) year and a maximum amount of $47,250. These funds are
available in the Police Department budget. The contractual cost
per police applicant evaluation is $185. Each applicant will
undergo five (5) screening devices designed to identify undesir-
able as well as desirable job -related characteristics. The five
(5) screening devices are listed under Article I of the proposed
professional services agreeement.
ARB:FR:vbd
Attachments
9-�
87-23L..