Council delays vote on attorney services after procedural objections to late agenda addition

Council members on Sept. 24 voted to defer consideration of AB 25‑90, an agenda bill to authorize attorney services, after debate about whether the item had been added in compliance with the council’s rules of procedure. Council Member Sprow moved to remove the item from the current agenda, arguing the item was not submitted to staff by the Thursday noon deadline required under the council rules. The chair noted the item had been discussed at a study session but was not added to the packet until late; the council ultimately voted to place AB 25‑90 on the Oct. 8 agenda.

Council Member Chris Moore asked for clarification about Lighthouse Law Group and whether that firm was acting as retained city counsel or as a temporary outside reviewer; Moore said the council needed clarity about who represented the city for items that require legal review. Council members noted the retained city attorney would remain on retainer through mid‑October and that an interim arrangement was being finalized.

The motion to move AB 25‑90 to the next council meeting passed on a voice vote after discussion. Council members requested staff provide the item packet and an explanation of the proposed attorney role in advance of the Oct. 8 meeting so the council could vote with full legal context.