Assembly authorizes speaker to form ad hoc group to evaluate charter‑review legal proposals; roll call vote recorded

Delegates voted on Feb. 19 to authorize the Assembly speaker to establish an ad hoc working group to evaluate proposals for legal services related to charter review and assembly counsel.

The motion, introduced by the deputy speaker, said the working group would evaluate proposals and advise the speaker on a recommendation to bring back to the full Assembly. The motion was seconded and the Assembly conducted a roll call vote after discussion. The roll call recorded unanimous “yes” votes from delegates present, including Delia Frederickson, Delia Frizzell, Delia Fuller, Delia Gallagher, Deputy Speaker Gessen, Delegate Green, Delegate Harder, Delegate Killian, Delegate O’Malley, Dean Oman, Speaker Protash, Delegate Sampson, Delegate Tai, Delegate Warner and Delegate Wyman Colombo.

County council (KP Law) offered an internal charter‑review expert (identified in discussion as Laura Goldberg) and the Assembly also received at least one outside law‑firm proposal for assembly counsel. Delegates discussed conflicts of interest and were told by members who had previously consulted KP Law that both the county commissioners and the Assembly had reviewed and found no conflict with using different teams within KP Law for separate functions (charter review versus counsel to the Assembly). Delegates agreed the working group should interview proposers and report back so the full Assembly can decide whether to retain county counsel for charter review or hire outside special counsel.

The Assembly chair said a vote to choose counsel would come in March and, if approved, charter review could begin in April; the charter imposes a 10‑month clock once the Assembly holds its first charter‑review meeting.