Fairhope council authorizes mayor to retain outside counsel for dangerous-buildings and nuisance remediation cases

The Fairhope City Council on June 9 approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to retain outside legal counsel to represent the city in matters related to dangerous buildings, unsafe structures and other nuisance remediation.

The agenda language read into the record described the authorization as permitting the mayor to execute an engagement agreement and, if necessary, a waiver of conflict, to secure legal representation through all stages of enforcement and litigation, including proceedings before the council, trial and appeals. The motion carried by voice vote; the transcript records no roll-call tally and does not identify an outside-firm name in the final motion text.

Council members noted the item had received extended review in prior work sessions. The resolution authorizes the mayor to retain counsel as needed and to take steps to ensure the city has legal representation in prosecuting dangerous-building and nuisance-remediation actions; it does not, in the text read at the meeting, specify a budget line or a not-to-exceed fee. Any specific contract, engagement agreement or fee arrangement will be executed by the mayor as authorized and in accordance with applicable procurement and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Next steps: The city attorney and mayor's office are expected to complete engagement paperwork and to bring any required contractual documents back to the council if legally or procedurally required.