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Chewelah Civil Service Commission to retain outside counsel after city files writ in Watts appeal
Summary
After the City of Chewelah filed a petition in Superior Court seeking a writ of certiorari in the David Watts appeal, the Civil Service Commission voted to engage outside counsel because the City attorney said he could not represent both parties due to a conflict.
The Chewelah Civil Service Commission voted June 16 to authorize the commission’s secretary to solicit outside legal counsel after the City filed a petition in Superior Court seeking a writ of certiorari challenging the commission’s decision in the appeal of David Watts.
City Attorney Mike Waters informed the commission that because the City and the commission have become adversarial in the case, he could not advise both parties and that the commission would need to hire outside counsel. The executive session called earlier in the meeting cited RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) as the statutory basis for closed deliberations with counsel.
Commissioner Carra Nupp offered a list of three potential attorneys, and Commissioner Cindy Wilmoth had already researched two candidates. Commissioner Nupp moved to assign Secretary Charles Martin to seek legal counsel for the commission using the three options on Nupp’s list; Commissioner Wilmoth seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Next steps are administrative: Secretary Charles Martin was directed to contact the named firms and return recommendations to the commission. The motion does not itself appoint counsel; it authorizes staff to pursue candidates for the commission’s consideration.
