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Commission moves to appoint outside counsel after city attorney discloses conflict
Summary
The commission acknowledged a conflict for the city attorney in code‑enforcement proceedings and discussed outside counsel options, noting a local attorney with lower hourly rates; the motion to proceed was seconded and will be followed by rate and availability checks.
The commission took up appointing outside counsel for code‑enforcement matters after the city attorney disclosed a conflict.
"We were informed by Tina Wayland Smith, our attorney, that she's conflicted out of our code enforcement proceedings," the presiding official said. Commissioners discussed reaching out to several firms and a local attorney whose rates were described as lower; one commissioner said they had asked for hourly rates, experience and availability from the candidates.
A motion to appoint outside counsel was moved and seconded; commissioners agreed to request rate quotes and availability before making a formal retention. The commission did not name a final appointee at the meeting.
Staff said the likely candidates include a local practitioner and two firms already familiar to the city; the commission directed staff to return with rates and recommended counsel at a future meeting.
