City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ERNESTO TAMAYO, CHIEF LABOR RELATIONS OFFICER/s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Confirming the Appointment by the City Manager of the City’s Labor Relations Administrator.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution confirming the appointment of Sarah Miller Espinosa to serve as the City’s Labor Relations Administrator for collective bargaining.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt a resolution confirming the appointment by the City Manager of Sarah Miller Espinosa to serve as the City’ Labor Relations Administrator for collective bargaining for a four-year term.
BACKGROUND: On April 17, 2021, City Council adopted an amendment to City of Alexandria City Code Title 2, Chapter 5, Officers and Employees, by adding Article E, Collective Bargaining, Sections 2-5-67 through 2-5-80. In section 2-5-73- Labor Relations Administrator (LRA), the expectations and role are defined for the neutral arbiter. On October 19, 2025, the appointment of the current LRA expired. City staff solicited nominations from its labor partners for this position. The three current unions along with three staff members designated by the City Manager per Section 2-5-73- Labor Relations Administrator, (c), reviewed the prospective applicants and submitted two names for the City Manager’s consideration. Following the interview process, Ms. Miller Espinosa was selected for the appointment as the Labor Relations Administrator. Ms. Miller Espinosa has over 20 years of labor negotiations experience in the Washington Metro region. Earning a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, and a juris doctorate from the University of Connecticut, Ms. Miller Espinosa’s combined education and experience will be an asset to the City’s management of collective bargaining agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT: Approving the appointment of the Labor Relations Administrator will be funded as approved in the FY 2026 budget in the amount of $275,000 for outside consulting services to the City Manager’s Office for continued execution of the adopted Public Employee Collective Bargaining Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Ordinance No. 5336, approved April 17, 2021
Attachment 2: City Manager’s Office FY2022 Approved Budget
Attachment 3: Resolution
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Jane Chistensen, Deputy City Manager
Cheran Ivery, City Attorney
Meghan Roberts, Deputy City Attorney
Ernesto Tamayo, Chief Labor Relations Officer
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management and Budget