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City attorney authorized to retain special magistrate for Venice at Lake Harris annexation proceedings
Summary
The city attorney told commissioners he selected a special magistrate for the Venice at Lake Harris annexation matter and requested authority to finalize the engagement; the commission agreed and asked staff to proceed while allowing limited flexibility on statutory time frames for scheduling.
The city attorney told the commission on Sept. 8 that the city has identified and negotiated an engagement with a special magistrate to handle the Venice at Lake Harris annexation dispute and that logistical scheduling issues require a small waiver of statutory time frames governing the special‑magistrate process.
The attorney said the chosen magistrate had experience with similar municipal matters and that the city would provide a written engagement; commissioners agreed the appointment was reasonable and directed staff to execute the agreement and proceed with scheduling, with the understanding that staff will distribute the agreement and schedule information to the commission in advance of hearings.
The commission did not receive extended public comment on this administrative action. Staff noted the magistrate is currently out of the country and the schedule will be firmed up when the magistrate returns; the attorney asked for flexibility on statutory deadlines in order to accommodate the magistrate’s availability and to allow time to compile and transmit required materials.
