Council reviews proposed city attorney contract and transitional counsel for pending cases

The council discussed two related legal service items: a proposed civil attorney agreement with Taylor Niccastro Brown LLC (resolution R26‑25) and a transitional agreement with Meridian Law PLLC to continue representation in pending litigation.

Kurt (city staff) said the proposed scope includes advising city officers, departments and council and follows the city charter’s requirement that the city attorney serve as legal adviser to the council, the mayor and departments. Council members asked how the firm would be limited in channels of communication and whether invoice caps or reporting mechanisms could control legal costs. Kurt said invoices would be processed by budget/finance twice monthly and that staff could provide quarterly updates to the council and review line items with the city attorney. He said it is difficult to cap legal fees in advance because the need for legal services (arbitration, Supreme Court case, personnel matters) can be unpredictable.

Staff also said they had discussed transition planning with Michelle Brockman, the incumbent city attorney, and had prepared a separate transitional and special counsel agreement with Meridian Law PLLC to ensure continued representation in two pending matters if the council approves the new contract. Council members asked for clearer written language on reporting channels and for staff to correct dates and any typographical errors in the resolution before formal action.

No final vote occurred during the workshop; staff said the resolutions will be updated to address council comments and returned for action at the next regular meeting.