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Council approves Vernon & Weeks as city attorney after dispute over past ties
Summary
The council approved Vernon & Weeks as the city attorney by a 4–2 vote after members raised concerns about past ties between firm attorney Susan Weeks and Mayor Wanda Irish. Council required assurance that no conflicts exist before finalizing engagement.
Joe Cornell moved to approve Vernon & Weeks as the city attorney, with the hire contingent on confirmation that there are no conflicts of interest related to the city's pending matters; Josephine Prophet seconded. After discussion, the motion carried 4–2, with Council members Charlie Shutt and John Gray voting against the appointment.
The question of past representation surfaced earlier in the meeting: Council member Charlie Shutt said the January minutes should reflect that Susan Weeks, of Vernon & Weeks, had served as Mayor Wanda Irish's personal attorney in 2017. Mayor Irish disputed that characterization and suggested addressing the matter in executive session. Joe Cornell said he had asked the mayor about the matter and that she clarified she was not her attorney. The council approved the firm but recorded two dissenting votes and a condition to verify absence of conflicts.
