City Council
Meeting
January 17, 2023
Presented By:
Glen R. Googins, City Attorney
Item No. 13.1
Discussion and Possible Action
Regarding Appointment Process
for an Interim/Acting City
Attorney
WHY AN INTERIM
APPOINTMENT IS
NECESSARY
• Tentatively Appointed City Attorney for the City of
Santa Clara
• Santa Clara tenure scheduled to begin March 1,
2023
• Last day as Chula Vista City Attorney, sometime in
late February
• Earliest day next elected City Attorney could be
sworn in: December 12, 2023
LEGAL
PARAMETERS/
OPTIONS
• City Charter doesn’t directly address these circumstances • Outside Counsel and City Attorney’s Office agree
• City Council has clear prerogative to appoint an interim “acting” City Attorney
• Options include appointment of:
• An existing City Attorney Assistant/Deputy
• A qualified individual/firm
• Need not be a “resident”
• Appointee would serve under contract with the City Council until the next elected City Attorney is sworn into office STAFF
RECOMMENDATION
Hire a local
firm that
specializes in
Municipal
Law
Solicit proposals from
current outside
counsel RRQ short list
--Lounsbery Ferguson
Altona & Peak
--McDougal, Love,
Boehmer, Foley, Lyons
& Mitchell
--Burke, Williams &
Sorenson
--Best, Best & Krieger
Appoint a City
Council Ad Hoc
Subcommittee
comprised of the
Mayor and One
other
Councilperson to
finalize process
and conduct
interviews
City Attorney’s
office and City
Manager’s office
to assist and be
represented on
the interview
panel
Recommendation
of the Ad Hoc
Subcommittee for
an appointment to
be presented to
City Council for its
consideration by
no later than
February 21st City
Council meeting