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Charter Reform Commission seeks outside counsel for potential city-attorney restructuring; RFP open
Summary
The Charter Reform Commission asked the committee for outside legal advice and an RFP is open to draft language on a possible bifurcation of the city attorney's office; commissioners discussed budget flexibility and RFP evaluation procedures but took no final action.
The Charter Reform Commission told the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee that it has requested outside counsel to advise and draft proposed charter language for a possible bifurcation of the city attorney's office.
Justin Ramirez, executive director of the Charter Reform Commission, said commissioners want independent legal review for the section of the commission's work addressing whether the city should move to a model with a separately elected citywide prosecutor and an appointed city attorney or general counsel. Ramirez said commissioners perceived a conflict or the appearance of conflict because the city attorney's office has previously expressed a position on keeping the current structure.
Ramirez told the committee that commissioners initially requested outside counsel and the request was declined; the city attorney's office then offered to help develop a request for proposals (RFP) for outside counsel, and Ramirez said the RFP remains open. Ramirez described the outside-counsel request as limited to that portion of the commission's work and said commissioners will review proposals once the city attorney's office forwards qualified applicants per charter procedure.
Council members asked about budget availability and possible pro bono help. A council member noted the 2025-26 allocation for the Charter Reform Commission includes an initial figure projected at $500,000 with the option to double to $1,000,000; Ramirez said the commission expects to use much of the million-dollar authorization and will seek clarity on remaining funds and RFP quotes. One council member suggested soliciting pro bono legal assistance while the RFP remains open.
No contract award or charter language was finalized at the meeting. The commission and committee agreed to proceed with the RFP process; the item will return to committee if authorization to retain outside counsel is required under the charter.
Justin Ramirez summarized the commission's next steps: monitor RFP responses, assess quotes, and seek committee authorization for any hire required by charter rules. The committee did not take further action and adjourned.
