pages: CityCouncil/2005-07-19.pdf, 28
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CityCouncil | 2005-07-19 | 28 | be made if desired. Vice Mayor Gilmore stated that prior to today, the City Attorney's office had a budget that the Council approved by a line item; the City Attorney had utter discretion to spend the money any way she saw fit; the Council is trying to be more cognizant of its Charter responsibilities to provide oversight of spending said money having gone from over $500,000 of discretionary spending to the limit of $35,000 is a more than a prudent place to begin; the amount is not set in stone; nothing prevents the Council from putting a policy in place, seeing how it works and making changes if needed; unless there are more specific recommendations the policy is a good place to get started because it provides what the Council is trying to move towards. Councilmember deHaan stated that he has no problem with it; the Council still has the oversight; future changes could be made. Mayor Johnson inquired whether approval should be via a resolution. The City Attorney stated Council should adopt via motion, so it is a formal Council action in terms of direction. Mayor Johnson inquired whether any changes need to be made. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether there is a way to put the proposal in terms of the Charter responsibility, which is not City Council oversight of outside legal counsel expense, but is City Council rules of empowering the City Attorney to engage outside counsel. The City Attorney responded the motion could be that this is the rule of empowering the City Attorney under [Charter Section] 8-5. Mayor Johnson inquired whether this is a policy. The City Attorney responded it is a rule; it is a direction. Mayor Johnson inquired why the action could not be done by resolution. The City Attorney responded a resolution could be brought back. Mayor Johnson stated a resolution would be clearer; the issue of Alameda Power and Telecom (AP&T) also needs to be brought back to the Council; the Council needs to discuss approving counsel for AP&T and should consider delegating authority to the Public Utilities Board. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 28 July 19, 2005 | CityCouncil/2005-07-19.pdf |