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18688 | the Mayor's request and would return with an oversight proposal. Chair Johnson stated that the direction to operate consistently with what the Charter provides has already been given to the City Attorney. The City Attorney concurred with Chair Johnson; stated that the attorney retained by the Council in 1989 provided an analysis of the direction regarding retention of outside counsel. Chair Johnson stated that the Council also gave direction regarding the Charter stating that the Council consent is required to hire outside attorneys. The City Attorney stated that the consent has been given through the budget in the past 16 years; the policy can be changed and would be discussed on July 5th. Commissioner/Board Member Daysog stated that the budget enables the City Manager and department heads to hire individuals; the Council does not need to be involved in the actual hiring but might want to be involved in instances above or below certain thresholds; stated that the Council is moving in the right direction. Commissioner/Board Member deHaan stated the initial clarification would be with the Charter; noted there is dispute between the City Attorney and the Council; the Council feels that they have the authority to consent to the hiring of outside legal counsel. Chair Johnson stated that there is no need to hire an attorney to provide an opinion on the language of the Charter; the language of the Charter is very plain and clear. Commissioner/Board Member deHaan stated the Council could move forward if the language of the Charter has been determined. Chair Johnson stated that there is a $470,000 litigation contingency in Risk Management and an additional $350,000 for Alameda Power & Telecom; noted that the City Attorney is stating that the Council has consented to the hiring of outside counsel by approving the line items in the budget over the past 16 years; the Council has given a blanket authorization to the City Attorney to hire outside counsel and that is not the level of oversight that the Charter intends ; the Charter was drafted to provide needed checks and balances; the City Attorney's office has five attorneys and also spends a significant amount of money on outside counsel ; stated that the Council should have more of a role in the hiring of Special Joint Community Improvement Commission and Alameda Reuse and 3 Redevelopment Authority Meeting June 28, 2005 |