City attorney hire

Welcomed the new city attorney hire but asked for better legal vetting of agenda items before they cause lawsuits, and for the new attorney to meet the public in the evening session.

Urged a no vote on waiving the Sunshine Ordinance, calling the emergency justification phony and demanding the contract be continued to an evening session with full public review.

Cited the troubled history of recent city attorneys (fired or sued) and warned the contract terms — big severance, termination restrictions — repeat past mistakes.

In chambers, asked that the new city attorney be introduced to the public at the 6:15 evening session so everyone can meet him and weigh in.

Supported hiring James Johnson given his strong reputation and ABA-accredited degree, but flagged the rushed process and the broader pattern of costly attorney departures and litigation.