The Hanford City Council on Oct. 21 deferred action on an updated legal services agreement with Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Jen LLP after a wave of public comment urged an open solicitation and several council members asked that the full five-member council consider the matter.

Interim City Manager Chris Tavares presented a brief summary of the proposed agreement: a negotiated, more detailed contract that would move city billing to a flat monthly fee model at $52,000 per month and tie the fixed fee to the city’s budget through July 1, 2027. Under the draft, certain services (notably major litigation, complex right-of-way work and other “special services”) would be billed outside the flat fee on a project or task basis.

The presentation and public comment

Following the staff summary, several residents and community members urged the council to advertise the work publicly and solicit proposals (RFP) rather than extend or renew the incumbent firm without competition. Speakers cited past litigation and questioned the proposed supermajority termination threshold in the draft agreement (a 4/5 council vote was in the draft to terminate the firm).

“Giving the city attorney a 4/5ths majority of the council to vote them out... doesn’t seem in the best interest of the city council or the residents of Hanford,” said Larry Ferria, a long-time resident, during public comment. Bob Ramos also urged the council to go to RFP. Several other commenters raised concerns about prior litigation outcomes and asked for public competition for attorney services.

Firm presentation and staff context

Representatives of the law firm described their long relationship with the city (the firm was formed in 1945, they said) and detailed the municipal legal services they provide across Kings, Tulare and Fresno counties. Staff and firm representatives noted the benefits of institutional knowledge and an in-town office that contributes payroll and downtown commerce.

Council action

After discussion, Councilman Payton moved to table the item to a future meeting and the motion was seconded; the motion to table passed 4-0 with one member absent. Council members who spoke said they wanted the absent member to take part and several called for additional documentation or the option to solicit competitive proposals at a later date.

What’s next

Council directed the item be placed on the next regular council agenda after the absent member can participate; staff will schedule the item and publish the packet materials in advance. The contract draft presented at the Oct. 21 meeting remains a staff-submitted proposal and was not adopted.

Speakers quoted

"I would have I know that there was a vote for RFP to solicit new city attorneys... giving the city attorney a 4 fifths majority of the council to vote them out, to vote that company out, is not in the best interest of the city council or the residents of Hanford," — Larry Ferria, resident.

"The firm has provided institutional knowledge and has been the city attorney for Hanford since 2007," — Interim City Manager Chris Tavares (staff summary).

Provenance

Staff presented the proposed contract during the general business portion of the Oct. 21 meeting (staff summary beginning at transcript time ~12054.529). Public commenters spoke at the public-comment portion of the meeting earlier and again during the contract discussion; the council voted to table the contract consideration later in the evening (motion and table recorded near transcript time 14180.425).