Council names two law firms as conflict counsel for condemnation and alcoholic‑beverage hearings

The council unanimously approved two resolutions at the Aug. 18 meeting to appoint outside counsel for potential conflicts. The council appointed the law firm Carruthers & Mitchell as conflict counsel to represent the city in condemnation matters when property to be acquired is owned by a city employee, official or other person whose representation would create a conflict for the city’s regular counsel. City staff said Carruthers & Mitchell agreed to the same hourly rate used by the city’s primary law firm. Separately, council approved retaining Tallent Howell (referred to in staff remarks as Talley/Tallent Howell) to represent city staff in alcoholic‑beverage license hearings and appeals when the city’s in-house attorney would otherwise be conflicted. Staff described the arrangement as a procedural safeguard so that counsel advocating for staff in license enforcement would not also represent the council on appeal. Both motions passed unanimously after the standard public-comment period produced no speakers. Next steps: the mayor was authorized to execute engagement letters for the firms as presented in staff materials.