pages: CityCouncil/2005-07-19.pdf, 25
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2005-07-19 | 25 | Mayor Johnson stated said suggestion is greater micromanagement. Council would have to keep up to date on all litigation matters the City Attorney is responsible for management once outside counsel is hired; Council cannot be responsible for monitoring litigation and bringing the matter to the Council if a Councilmember does not like something; the Charter states the Council is supposed to approve the hiring of outside counsel; Council needs to make the approval; then, the City Attorney would handle the matter. Vice Mayor Gilmore requested clarification of how the process would work and an example be provided. Mayor Johnson stated the main responsibility of the Council is the Charter requirement to consent to hiring [of outside counsel] ; read Charter section; stated the issue is how the Council consents to the employment of special legal counsel. Councilmember Matarrese stated it is how the Council empowers the City Attorney the control is telling the City Attorney to go forward with hiring outside; the tier is the City Attorney can hire outside counsel for up to $35,000; $35,000 would take care of a minor matter or accommodate [Council meetings) every two weeks ; once the [$35,000] threshold is met , then the empowerment has to come back to the City Council for a vote. The City Attorney stated that if the additional estimate is in excess [of $35,000] the matter would always go to Council under the proposal; anything $35,000 or less will go to Council, if the Council desires; anything estimated to be $35,000 or more for the total litigation cost will automatically go to Council for approval. Mayor Johnson inquired what would be done in the interim period for larger cases, to which the City Attorney responded the matter would be placed on the agenda as soon as possible. Mayor Johnson inquired what if immediate action was needed. The City Attorney responded the system is two tiered; stated the City Attorney would be authorized to spend up to $35,000 without prior Council approval ; for matters estimated to cost less than [$35,000] the City Attorney hires outside counsel through the RFQ process. Mayor Johnson stated the City Attorney's statement differs from what the Council is saying; the City Attorney is stating that she Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 25 July 19, 2005 | CityCouncil/2005-07-19.pdf |