Baldwin Park council approves city attorney contract; members agree to revisit hourly cap

The Baldwin Park City Council on June 18 adopted Resolution No. 2025-019 appointing Tony Meyer Law as the city attorney and approving a legal services agreement, a motion that passed 5-0.

The contract approved in open session specifies a $24,000 retainer covering 100 hours of service, to take effect July 1, city staff said. Mayor Pro Tem Damian moved to approve the agreement and Mayor Alejandra Avila seconded the motion. Council members voted in favor without dissent.

Council members raised the possibility of reducing the monthly retainer. "I would make a recommendation that we go with start off with 75 hours," Council Member Lozano said during discussion, noting a potential cost saving if the retainer hours were lowered. Staff and the city's outside negotiator said the agreement has been signed and that any change would require the firm's agreement and a later amendment to the contract.

City staff named the attorneys who will be assigned to Baldwin Park under the agreement: Christian Benhausen, Britney Roberto and Gary Cranker, who were present in the meeting chamber. The city manager read the compensation terms into the record during the item.

The council approved the resolution and directed staff to return with any proposed amendment if the firm consents. The record shows the council carried the motion 5-0.

Council members did not vote on a revised hourly cap at the meeting; instead they approved the existing agreement and asked staff to negotiate a possible amendment to the retainer and bring it back to the council.

The adoption was taken during "Reports of Officers" as item 10 on the June 18 agenda.