HomeMy WebLinkAboutDirect Staff to Issue Request for Qualifications for Legal SCITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
'y Cit Council Interoffice Communication
To: Honorable City Council Members
From: Don Hansen, Mayor
Date: July 23, 2012
Subject: CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEM FOR JULY 23, 2012, CITY
COUNCIL MEETING — DIRECT STAFF TO ISSUE REQUEST FOR
(QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEGAL SERVICES
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The City Council is responsible for ensuring the services provided by all departments are
delivered in the most fiscally responsible manner. To explore cost -savings opportunities for
providing legal services in the City of Huntington Beach, I propose that the City Council direct
staff to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for municipal attorney services to evaluate
whether or not our current in-house format is the best financial decision for the City of
Huntington Beach.
The intent is not to interfere with the elected City Attorney's ability to provide legal services, but
to ensure that services are delivered in the most cost-effective manner. The City Attorney is a
directly elected position whose charter duties are clear.
Section 309 0) "the City Attorney shall:
0) Assist and cooperate with the City Manager consistent with Section 403 of the City Charter."
Section 403 states:
It shall be the duty of all department heads, whether appointed or elected, to assist and
cooperate with the City Manager in administering the affairs of the City in the most efficient,
fiscally responsible, and harmonious manner consistent with the duties as prescribed by law,
City Charter, or by ordinance.
Therefore, if the City Council decides to proceed with issuing an RFQ, the process will illuminate
if other options exist for fiscally responsible provision of legal services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direct staff to issue a Request for Qualifications for municipal attorney services in time for the
2012-2013 fiscal year.
xc: Fred Wilson, City Manager
Paul Emery, Deputy City Manager
Bob Hall, Deputy City Manager—
ry.J.
Jennifer McGrath, City Attorney
Joan Flynn, City Clerk