Council reviews draft RFP for city attorney, removes 'will of the mayor' language

Council members reviewed a draft request for proposals (RFP) for a city attorney or legal services at the July 17 work meeting and discussed how the city will evaluate and select candidates.

Staff said the packet used a state-provided template and that they removed one sentence stating the attorney "serves at the will of the mayor." The draft adds language clarifying who can authorize legal expenses and lists the mayor, the city council, planning commission, appeal authority and other appointed officials for limited authorities. Staff asked the council whether references that read "mayor or city council" should instead say "mayor and city council" in certain sections; council members discussed using "mayor or city council" in some places and "mayor and city council" where joint action is required.

Council members asked about evaluation criteria and the review process if the city receives multiple proposals. Staff suggested the council could narrow candidates for interviews and that the new provisional attorney could assist the council on scoring or interviewing. Staff said they hoped to post the RFP by Aug. 1 and give proposers roughly two weeks to respond, then schedule presentations if needed.

No final selection was made at the meeting. The council asked staff to share the draft with the new part-time prosecuting attorney and with department leads, and to clarify whether certain rights and duties in the RFP require the mayor alone or the mayor and council jointly. If no major changes are requested, staff said they would post the RFP on standard procurement websites and follow the timeline discussed.

The council also discussed the possibility of contracting with a county or neighboring municipal attorney on an interim basis; staff said those arrangements would be evaluated as proposals arrive.