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City attorney candidate introduces herself; council moves interim legal engagement to council business
Summary
Carrie Richter of Bateman Seidel introduced herself as an available interim city attorney while the city prepares an RFP for permanent counsel. Council moved the interim‑engagement item into council business and discussed timing and next steps; staff said it will issue an RFP and return to council with options.
Carrie Richter, an attorney with Bateman Seidel, introduced herself to the Estacada City Council and described municipal and land‑use experience she said spans about 22 years, including long service to Oregon City and several smaller Oregon municipalities.
Richter’s presentation and council action
Richter told the council she and her associate, Melissa Ryan, represent multiple Oregon cities and offered interim coverage while the city prepares a formal request for proposals to select permanent legal counsel. Richter described her practice as municipal and land‑use law, including experience in LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals) matters and historic preservation work; she said she was prepared to “fill in” and to answer legal questions during an interim period.
At the start of the council’s consent and council‑business discussion, City Manager Melanie and councilors moved the interim city‑attorney engagement item from the consent agenda into council business for fuller review. Council members debated whether to immediately engage interim counsel or to take more time to advertise for a permanent arrangement. Several councilors emphasized the need for short‑term legal coverage while a competitive process runs.
What staff said next
City staff said the city intends to issue an RFP within a few weeks and asked for guidance about the length of any interim engagement. Staff said some matters are handled by CIS (the city’s insurer/legal assistance program) but that CIS does not substitute for a municipal attorney on a day‑to‑day basis. Staff also said they had already conferred with several firms and that Bateman Seidel had offered to assist on an interim basis.
Council’s direction and next steps
Council did not record a formal vote to hire firm counsel at the meeting. After discussion, staff said they would prepare an RFP for council review and come back with options; staff also indicated they would make interim arrangements so the city is not without legal coverage while the procurement proceeds. Several councilors thanked Richter for her willingness to help; councilors also emphasized that the city seeks a durable long‑term legal relationship and that the RFP will allow comparison of firms and structures (single‑attorney vs. firm coverage).
Ending
The council moved the matter into council business for additional discussion and instructed staff to advertise the position and return with candidates and recommended next steps. No binding contract was signed at the meeting.
