City attorney seeks overflow legal services from Feldman & Feldman; public raised conflict‑of‑interest concerns

City Attorney Mike Garner told the council on July 9 that he had sought authority earlier in the year to retain outside counsel for overflow legal work and recommended engaging Feldman & Feldman for matters including human resources, civil service and public‑information act issues, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.

Garner said the firm had provided timely assistance on several matters this year and that using outside counsel is more cost‑effective and flexible than hiring additional in‑house attorneys. “With the obligations this city is facing … I don't think it's prudent to go that direction to bring more staff into the legal department at this point,” Garner said.

Public comment: Tanya Maddox, speaking during citizens’ inquiries, urged the council not to retain Feldman & Feldman and described what she said were prior payments by the firm to current council members related to preexisting litigation over ballot matters. Maddox said those circumstances created “a conflict of interest” and asked that the council choose a different firm for city representation.

Garner said the firm’s prior representation of individuals did not create a disqualifying conflict and that the firm had served the city in discrete matters; he also said he had used the firm for two or three matters in 2025 and preferred retaining a firm with appellate and litigation depth rather than adding multiple salaried staff attorneys.

Why it matters: the item touches on municipal legal capacity, potential conflicts of interest raised by members of the public, and the city’s use of outside counsel rather than expanding in‑house legal staff. The council did not take a final action at the July 9 meeting; Garner said he would provide privileged details in executive session where appropriate.