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Forest Lake council approves continuing with Amanda Johnson as city attorney through new firm
Summary
Council voted to continue city attorney Amanda Johnson’s service as she moves to the Ekberg & Lammers firm; council members cited her work during the city administrator search in recommending the change.
The Forest Lake City Council on Jan. 13 approved a transition of city attorney services that will continue with Amanda Johnson as the city's attorney while she joins the Ekberg & Lammers firm.
Jolene, a city staff member, said Amanda Johnson has served the city "incredibly well," and outlined two options presented in the council packet: remain with the current firm (Lavander, Gillen & Miller) with an internal transition to another attorney, or move the contract to Ekberg & Lammers so the city can retain Johnson. Jolene also told council that Ekberg & Lammers had agreed to match the rates proposed by Lavander, Gillen & Miller for the coming year.
Council Member Hannah Valento said, "I have enjoyed Amanda's service ... the open communication was super helpful," and other council members echoed that praise. Council members cited Johnson's role in the recent city administrator search and her overall responsiveness to council needs as reasons to continue with her at the new firm.
By voice vote the council approved continuing city attorney services with Amanda Johnson at Ekberg & Lammers; the motion was seconded and recorded as "motion carries." No change to hourly rates was reported at the meeting because Ekberg & Lammers agreed to meet the rates in the packet.
The council did not discuss an exact contract length or provide a written contract during the meeting; staff presented transition letters and a proposal in the meeting packet for council review.
