Estacada council interviews two law firms for city attorney role; deliberation set for Oct. 13

Estacada ' The City Council interviewed representatives from two law firms seeking the city attorney position and set a timetable for deliberation and community Q&A.

The council heard from Carrie Richter and Melissa ("Missy") Ryan of Bateman Seidel and from Laura Westmeyer of Cable Huston. Both firms have been serving in interim or special-counsel roles for Estacada. Melanie, the city meeting facilitator, reminded the council the city had issued a request for proposals and received proposals from Bateman Seidel and Cable Huston.

Carrie Richter, who previously served on an interim basis, told the council she enjoyed the work with Estacada staff and emphasized fit with city operations: "I love working with your staff. They are so committed to the city and the betterment of the city, and that's an operation that I wanna join in with." Melissa Ryan emphasized her land-use experience and time on the Land Use Board of Appeals: "My basically, my entire career, except for 8 years, has been in land use. I was, till recently, until March, I was a board member of LUBA... I had to count. It was, over a thousand appeals."

Laura Westmeyer described Cable Huston as a larger municipal practice with litigation, land use and general government teams and noted the firm's long public-sector experience. She and colleagues outlined work on district dissolutions and other municipal matters.

Councilors asked about specific experience: managing urban renewal districts, water-rights work, land-use defense against state preemption and routine meeting procedure (Robert's Rules and procedural guidance). Both firms said they would refer highly specialized matters such as complex water-rights claims to outside counsel.

Council direction and next steps: Melanie explained the council would not decide the contract that night. The council scheduled deliberation and a public community Q&A for the Oct. 13 meeting so councilors and the public could ask follow-up questions and so the council could deliberate and make a hiring decision at that time.

Ending: Councilors praised both firms for professionalism and asked staff to place the item on the Oct. 13 agenda. The session was part of a larger RFP process that included staff review of proposals, interviews and a follow-up community session.