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Council declines to move forward with immediate city‑attorney RFP; motion to table carries after heated debate
Summary
A proposal to direct staff to issue a request for proposals for the city attorney function prompted a contentious exchange. A substitute motion to proceed with an RFP failed 2–5; the item was then tabled indefinitely by the council, blocking near‑term competitive procurement unless a majority later requests reconsideration.
Councilmembers debated a request to place the city attorney contract out for competitive proposals during the meeting's 'items to be considered' segment.
Councilmember Sanchez moved for staff to issue an RFP for city legal services, arguing that regular procurement reviews protect taxpayer dollars and that existing contracts should be reexamined periodically. The item provoked repeated interruptions and an extended procedural exchange. A substitute motion to move forward with an RFP was made and seconded but failed on a recorded vote (2 yes, 5 no). Council then considered and adopted a motion to table the item indefinitely; councilmembers discussed the procedural implications of indefinite tabling and whether individual members could later place the item back on a future agenda.
Supporters of an RFP said competitive processes are standard city practice for services and could save taxpayer money; opponents said the action was unnecessary and raised concerns about timing and process. City staff advised that, under city rules, an individual councilmember can normally request future consideration of items but that a majority vote to table could prevent unilateral reintroduction unless a future majority revokes the tabling.
The council did not adopt an RFP schedule or direct staff to solicit proposals at the meeting. The substitute motion failed 2–5; following the council's procedural votes the item was tabled and will return only if a majority of the council later votes to bring it back or if a council member follows the formal process for requesting a future item, as staff advised.
