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Council delays confirmation of law director after members raise contract and workflow concerns
Summary
Resolution 2025-R-14 to confirm Natalie N. Scholte (Schulte) as law director and assistant city prosecutor was read; several council members objected to contract language about who may request legal drafting and about who directs attendance at council meetings. The confirmation was postponed to a later reading so contract language can be revised.
The council heard the introduction of Resolution 2025-R-14, which would confirm the appointment of Natalie N. Scholte of the law office identified in the agenda as Russell (transcript spelling varied) as the city's law director and assistant city prosecutor. The mayor introduced the candidate and Scholte said of the role, “I have the experience to do so, and I saw this as a great opportunity to take the reins instead of just being assistant law director.”
Several council members raised concerns about language in the proposed contract. One council member said the contract as written limited who may request drafting to the mayor, administrative director and council president, but the city's practice allows committee chairs or two members of council to request that work. The council member said, “I'm not gonna vote for a contract that I don't agree with,” and that changes should be made before confirmation.
Council members also questioned a clause that said the law director would attend any council meeting “unless otherwise directed by the mayor.” Members said council, not the mayor, determines whether legal staff attend council meetings. The candidate's firm representative said they prefer a single point of contact to streamline requests and billing, but council members noted that the city's current workflow involves committee chairs and other members making requests directly.
Given the unresolved contract issues, council members agreed to delay final confirmation and to bring the resolution back for a second reading with contract revisions that address who may request legal services and attendance expectations. No final vote on the resolution occurred at the meeting.
The candidate and firm representatives said they were open to adjusting the process if council prefers a different workflow; council directed administration and the candidate's representatives to provide revised contract language before the next meeting.
