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Council asks staff to explore opening the city attorney role to other firms; closed‑session briefing requested
Summary
Several council members asked staff to examine the city’s long‑standing legal counsel arrangement and to bring options back for closed‑session discussion, including drafting an RFP for city attorney services. No action was taken other than direction to prepare a closed‑session briefing.
Several members of the public and multiple councilmembers asked the council to consider whether to retain the city’s long‑standing contract with the current city attorney or to open the opportunity to other firms. Members of the public raised the issue in general public comment; Councilmember discussion resulted in a request for staff to return with options in closed session.
The nut graf: Council did not replace counsel at the meeting but directed staff to prepare materials and a closed‑session discussion about the process for potentially issuing a request for proposals (RFP) or otherwise exploring alternative legal representation; Council emphasized existing counsel was welcome to apply if an open process is pursued.
Councilmember discussion included reminders that public requests for change had often been informal and limited in number, and that an RFP process would require staff time and a formal timeline. The city manager said he would assemble background and that a closed session briefing would allow council to consider next steps.
Ending: Staff will report to council in closed session and return with recommended procedural steps if council decides to pursue an RFP or other procurement process for municipal legal services.
