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Westminster Economic Development Authority authorizes up to $150,000 for downtown legal counsel

Westminster City Council · November 11, 2025

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Summary

The WEDA board authorized the executive director to contract with Murray Dahl, Berry, and Renald, LLP for downtown Westminster legal services (urban renewal and eminent domain) not to exceed $150,000; the motion passed 6–1 after the city attorney said the prior $150,000 was effectively spent and cited an hourly rate of $350.

The Westminster Economic Development Authority (WEDA) on Nov. 10 approved authorization for the executive director to enter an agreement with Murray Dahl, Berry, and Renald, LLP for legal services related to the downtown Westminster urban renewal project and eminent domain matters, not to exceed $150,000.

Councilor Zadeh moved the authorization and the board approved it 6–1. City Attorney Dave Frankel told the board that a contract authorized last year for $150,000 had been spent and that he believed the firm's billing rate was about $350 per hour. "Mister Murray's fees, I believe, are $350 per hour," Frankel said. The WEDA motion passed with Board member Ireland voting no.

The authorization authorizes the executive director to finalize terms and proceed with the contract up to the stated not-to-exceed amount. Staff indicated the previous authorization has been effectively expended and brought the new authorization forward to continue legal representation for downtown project matters.