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Hanford council extends city attorney agreement at $52,000/month, sets five‑year RFP policy for legal services
Summary
After extended public comment and council debate, the council voted to continue a flat‑fee agreement with Griswold LaSalle at $52,000 per month through July 2027 and adopted a policy to issue separate five‑year RFPs for basic services and litigation coincident with contract expirations.
The council debated whether to approve an updated flat‑fee legal‑services agreement with Griswold LaSalle Cobb Dowd & Jen LLP and whether to initiate new requests for proposals for city legal services.
City Attorney Ty Mazzotti defended the firm’s institutional knowledge and argued the proposed contract represented continuity and value, noting the 2011 basic‑services budget and saying the firm’s proposed basic‑services amount equates to about $624,000 annually. Mazzotti said the firm has long institutional experience with Hanford and offered to answer questions from the council.
Public commenters urged the council to pursue an RFP to ensure best value. Bob Ramos and other residents recommended competitive bids for municipal legal services, and Chris Jordan urged careful consideration of alternatives.
Council discussion ranged from calls to move forward now with a flat monthly fee to arguments for delaying an RFP until after the city hires a permanent city manager. Councilwoman Regan proposed locking in the $52,000 monthly basic‑services fee now and initiating separate RFPs for basic services and litigation after the city manager transition; others argued for a five‑year cadence so the city does not go long without competitive review.
Mayor Payton moved to continue the agreement at a flat fee of $52,000 per month through July 2027; that motion was seconded and passed on a 4–1 vote. Council also adopted a policy directing staff to issue separate RFPs for basic services and for litigation at a five‑year interval timed to coincide with contract expirations.
The city attorney recused himself from participating in the policy decision beyond answering council questions. Council instructed staff to document the RFP timing as a future action item and to return language as needed for implementation.
Outcome: agreement continued at $52,000 per month through July 2027; policy adopted for five‑year RFPs for basic and litigation services to be timed to contract expirations.
