04-18-2007 - Special Meeting - Minutes.0
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2007
Mayor Touhey called to order the special meeting at 6:06 p.m. in the Community Room on the first floor
at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Pro Tern Lane
ROLL CALL Mayor Touhey, Mayor Pro Tem Lane
Councilmembers Herfert, Hernandez (arrive at 6:07 p.m.)
Absent: Councilmember Sanderson
Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Fields, Freeland, Rush
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Bill Bernard from the firm of Lynberg & Watkin introduced
himself and stated he will be representing the firm for General
Liability legal services.
Councilmember Herfert stated that legal services for General
Liability would remain with a pool of firms used and specific
attorneys would be chosen when required.
Order of interviews were chosen by random order and firms were
asked to step into the Council Chambers until called forward to be
interviewed.
Assistant to the City Manager Freeland announced the interviews
for Personnel/Labor law would continue from Monday and
direction was required as to the selection of General
Liability/Workers compensation litigation services.
Councilmember Herfert recalled the direction was to
continue with the current pool of attorneys utilized.
Motion by Herfert to continue using a pool of attorneys and to
utilize attorneys depending on their expertise and the specifics of
the case.
Discussion ensued regarding the prior direction and
whether it was appropriate to take any action since interviews were
not scheduled. City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman stated the previous
direction was not clear but the council could take action as the item
was on the agenda.
Substitute motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to bring
to a subsequent meeting information regarding the firms for
General Liability/Workers' Compensation for further direction.
Motion carried 4-0.
REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL SERVICES
Personnel/Labor Law The City Council interviewed the firms Liebert, Cassidy &
Whitmore; Squires Sanders; Wood, Smith & Berman; and Rutan &
Tucker for Personnel/Labor Law specialized legal services. ,
Following the interviews, council discussed the type of follow-up
action they should take for selection of firms for special legal
counsel. Councilmember Hernandez stated he would like to call
Special City Council meeting
Minutes of 04/ 18/07
other cities for which the firms work for their qualifications and
then bring back an action item at a regular meeting. Mayor
Touhey stated he would prefer to hold a special meeting to discuss
selection.
No decision was made and staff would schedule for a future
meeting.
• ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to adjourn the City
Council meeting at 7:19 p.m. Motion carried 4-0.
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Assistant City C1erk:Susan Rush
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May Michael Touhey
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