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Council approves conflict-waiver for Hawkins Delafield & Wood amid public objections
Summary
The council granted a requested conflict-of-interest waiver allowing Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP to serve as bond/loan counsel for city financings after staff said ethical walls will be used; public speakers urged caution and cited past water-fund oversight issues.
The City Council approved a conflict-of-interest waiver that allows Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP to serve as outside bond/loan counsel for the city’s water, sewer and general fund financings. Chief Deputy City Attorney Brett Bartolotta told councilmembers the firm was selected under RFPs and that a screening wall would mitigate the firm’s concurrent representation of the State Water Resources Control Board on SRF loans.
Public commenters urged the council not to grant waivers lightly. "If there's a conflict of interest, I think it should remain that alone without any exemptions," said Kathleen Lippitt, who testified in opposition. Other speakers referenced earlier investigations into the city's handling of state water funds and called for training and greater oversight.
During deliberations, council members asked staff to confirm there was no confidential city information at risk and that adequate screening measures would be implemented. City attorneys responded Hawkins "possesses no confidential city information related to the city's water utility or its finances and will implement appropriate screening measures," and council approved the waiver on an 8–0 roll call (Council Member Campbell absent). The waiver was recorded as passing unanimously with no recorded dissent.
