Council authorizes interim city attorney services with Whitebrenner LLP

City staff presented an interim legal‑services agreement with Whitebrenner LLP to provide city‑attorney services while the council considers long‑term options. Sean (S9), the city manager, said the arrangement is interim in nature with a start date of March 24 and an open end date to allow flexibility as the council determines the long‑term approach.

Terms and rates: Staff described the firm’s blended hourly rates: $250 per hour for general legal services, $350 per hour for special‑counsel matters that require subject-matter expertise, and $475 per hour for reimbursable legal services where a third party pays legal costs. Sean said staff expects the agreement to have a neutral effect on the current biennial budget but cautioned that litigation or unexpected matters could require budget amendments.

Supervision and staffing: Under the agreement staff said Doug White and Nubia Goldstein would serve as interim city attorney and interim assistant city attorney respectively and would work with the in‑house deputy city attorney. Staff emphasized the deputy attorney position remains budgeted and will continue to be part of the day‑to‑day operations, supervised under the new structure.

Council discussion and public comment: Council members discussed comparing costs between an in‑house attorney model and outside counsel and asked staff to assemble historical cost data to help inform a longer-term decision. Members of the public asked whether the deputy city attorney position will be affected; staff said the deputy role is budgeted and that supervision arrangements are being clarified.

Vote and next steps: The council voted to authorize the city manager to enter into the interim agreement with Whitebrenner LLP. Staff will monitor expenditures and bring forward any necessary budget amendments if legal work exceeds budgeted funds; the council will later evaluate whether to return to an in‑house model or continue with outside counsel.