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Council appoints Ernest Mueller as city attorney after 4–1 vote; contract restricts outside employment
Summary
Ernest (Ernie) Mueller was approved as the city attorney by a 4–1 vote. Council discussed a new contract clause limiting outside employment but permitting completion of three pending arbitration matters.
The City Council voted 4–1 on July 1 to approve an employment agreement appointing Ernest ("Ernie") Mueller as the city attorney for the City of Temple Terrace.
Councilmember Kravitz cast the lone dissent. The council had discussed a negotiated contract provision that generally prohibits outside employment but carved out an exception allowing Mueller to finish three arbitration matters through his law firm. Mueller told the council the three arbitrations are FINRA cases that have not yet proceeded to hearing and that he is trying to close the firm but kept those matters to avoid delaying claimants' proceedings: "those 3 arbitrations would be going through that law firm. I'm trying to close that law firm down... I have yet to have any of these cases actually go to a hearing," he said.
Mayor Andrew Ross and council members praised outgoing city attorney Pam Chishon for establishing an in‑house legal department over the last 7½ years; Chishon spoke at the meeting and summarized the department's work and efforts to keep litigation from going to trial. The council discussed that Mueller, the current deputy city attorney, will recruit for his deputy replacement after taking office.
The employment agreement was approved; the clerk recorded one nay (Councilmember Kravitz) and four ayes. The city will execute the contract and effectuate the transition from the outgoing city attorney to Mueller per the terms presented to council.
