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Council approves Vernon & Weeks as city attorney after conflict-check condition
Summary
The Harrison City Council voted to retain Vernon & Weeks as city attorney after debate about prior ties; the motion passed 4–2 with councilmembers Charlie Shutt and John Gray voting no. Council directed staff to prepare an engagement letter and confirm there are no conflicts.
The Harrison City Council voted to approve Vernon & Weeks as the city attorney after a motion by Councilmember Joe Cornell and a second from Councilmember Josephine Prophet.
The motion passed with four votes in favor and two opposed; Councilmembers Charlie Shutt and John Gray recorded NAY votes. Council discussion emphasized the need for an engagement letter and confirmation that the firm had no conflicts of interest on pending or potential litigation. Joe Cornell proposed drafting an engagement letter and obtaining assurances that there are no current conflicts related to the city’s legal matters.
The approval followed earlier disagreement over whether the January minutes should note that Susan Weeks, of Vernon & Weeks, had served as the mayor’s personal attorney in 2017. Charlie Shutt said the minutes should reflect that information; Mayor Wanda Irish said Shutt’s account was inaccurate and suggested addressing the matter in executive session. Joe Cornell said he had raised the question with the mayor and that she clarified she was not personally represented by Weeks. Josephine Prophet noted that publishing a request for proposals is not legally required.
The council recorded the action as an approval of Vernon & Weeks with conditions to confirm conflict-of-interest status and to prepare a formal engagement letter.
