Council appoints Floyd Andrews as interim city attorney and approves one-year contract

Cupertino City Council unanimously approved a one-year agreement on Feb. 12 with Floyd Andrews of Alshar & Winder LLP to serve as interim city attorney. The contract will begin immediately and contains the usual termination-at-pleasure language; councilmembers requested that staff and the new interim city attorney work to contain costs and return with a reopener review at 60 days.

Council discussion acknowledged the rapid timeline to fill the outgoing city attorney—s role and the need for continuity. Councilmember Fruin, while noting reservations about prior billings from the proposed firm in other contexts, said he would not thwart the negotiated contract but asked Andrews to work with the council to limit billable hours and unnecessary expenditures. Councilmember Mohan said he had personal reservations about the firm—s prior association with a contested matter in the city—s history but voted in favor to ensure continuity.

After the unanimous vote, Mr. Andrews addressed the council briefly to express gratitude and said he looked forward to working with council and staff.

Contract highlights recorded in the staff report include a one-year term, start date aligned with the outgoing attorney—s resignation, and reopener provisions (60 days) to revisit terms if necessary. As with other professional services contracts, the city will monitor invoices and the council retains the ability to terminate the agreement.