Office of the City Attorney
Reference: Appointment of Special Counsel
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Alicia Calderón, City Attorney
Date Prepared: March 24, 2025
PURPOSE
For City Council to consider a resolution appointing special counsel.
BACKGROUND
The City Clerk has received six letters protesting the qualifications of a City Council Member. A person must be a resident of the City and of his or her ward to be qualified for an elected position representing that ward. The City Council is the judge of qualifications for its own members. See City Charter Qualifications § 4.7.
Any registered elector of the City may file a verified written notice of protest challenging the qualifications of any member of the City Council. Within five days of receiving a verified written protest, the City Clerk shall set a date for a hearing. The City Clerk will mail a notice of the hearing to include the date, time, and place of the hearing, along with copies of the protest notices and a statement of the grounds upon which the protest is based. The mailing will be sent to all members of City Council, the Mayor, and to the person(s) filing the notice of protest. The City Council shall appoint and retain special counsel to provide legal advice to the City Council in relation to the hearing and consideration of the protest and for the preparation of the findings and decision of the City Council after the hearing.
Corey Hoffman is available and willing to serve as special counsel. He is the City’s appointed Independent Ethics Counsel as well. He is a licensed attorney in good standing with 28 years of local government law experience. If appointed, Mr. Hoffman will advise the City Council for the hearing and will write the decision of the Council after the hearing.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Professional Services are within the contemplated 2025 budget.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
City Council may adopt the resolution, request modifications, or deny the approval of the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution