Westminster Council fires city attorney Bettenhausen amid performance concerns

The Westminster City Council convened on February 26, 2025, for a closed session meeting, where significant discussions centered around the performance of the city’s legal representation. The meeting began with a roll call confirming a quorum, followed by an opportunity for public comment.

Terry Raines, a resident, addressed the council, expressing concerns about the performance of Christian Bettenhausen, the city attorney. Raines urged the council to seek a new law firm, citing numerous deficiencies in Bettenhausen's work and the broader implications of inadequate legal representation on the community. He emphasized the need for transparency in the selection process for a new attorney, suggesting that a public forum should be held to allow residents to weigh in on potential candidates.

Raines highlighted that the current legal representation has caused embarrassment for the city and raised questions about conflicts of interest, particularly regarding ongoing legal cases involving council members. He called for the council to expedite the request for proposals (RFP) process to secure new legal services promptly.

Following Raines' comments, the council moved into a closed session to discuss the appointment of a new city attorney, as outlined in the agenda. The discussions in this meeting reflect ongoing concerns about governance and accountability within the city, particularly regarding the legal framework that supports council operations.

As the council prepares to evaluate new legal representation, the implications of these discussions are significant for Westminster residents, who are keenly interested in ensuring effective and transparent governance. The outcome of the closed session and the subsequent selection of a new attorney will likely shape the city's legal landscape and its approach to addressing community concerns moving forward.