HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/20/2011 Work SessionCity of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011
The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, June 20, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Wylie, Moore, and Woodrow. Also
present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery, City Attorney Joe
Leahy, City Attorney Bill Van Vactor, City Attorney Matthew Cox, Assistant City Attorney Mary
Bridget Smith, Attorney Taylor Murdoch, City Recorder Amy Sowa, and members of the staff.
Councilors Ralston and Pishioneri were absent (excused).
1. 2011 City Attorney's Office Evaluation.
Human Resources Director Greta Utecht presented the staff report on this item. The results of the
annual evaluation had been received, tabulated and were now ready for Council review and discussion
with the City Attorney's Office.
The firm of Leahy, Van Vactor & Cox LLP received high marks recently during the annual review of
its performance of the city attorney duties which were summarized on Attachment 1 of the agenda
packet.
The Annual City Attorney contract was ratified at a Regular Session of Council on Monday, June 6,
2011.
Ms. Utecht said there was a high level of confidence for the City Attorneys and their staff.
Mr. Cox said their office was pleased with the results of the evaluation, but they knew they could
always do better. They were happy to see that timeliness had been improved, which was mostly due to
the added staff. The office now included Joe Leahy, Bill Van Vactor, Mary Bridget Smith, Taylor
Murdoch and Mr. Cox. He noted the different areas each of the attorneys had expertise and would be
focusing their attention. r
Mr. Leahy said their firm was the strongest it had been in many years.
Councilor VanGordon said the evaluation spoke of the quality work the City Attorney's Office had
done for the City.
Councilor Wylie said she felt the Council was in good hands. Mr. Leahy always provided good
guidance.
Councilor Moore said she felt very comfortable with the City Attorney's office staff. She introduced
her guest Johari Efendi who had a law degree in Indonesia. Mr. Efendi was an exchange student living
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
June 20, 2011
Page 2
with Councilor Moore and her husband, who would be attending law school at the University of
Oregon. Coming to a Council meeting was something he had wanted to do.
Councilor Woodrow said she felt the attorneys were like friends, having candid conversations and
providing candid information to allow the Council members to do their jobs.
Mayor Lundberg said it was good to see new partners in the firm that could provide longevity in the
firm. The attorneys knew Springfield and where the community wanted to go. By the time the Council
saw information, they could be confident that the choices they had before them were solid. The
attorneys were always willing to call things into question if the Council was off track. She welcomed
all those that were newer to the office.
Mr. Leahy noted that Mr. Murdoch and his wife just had a new baby on Friday, June 17, a boy,
Robert.
Councilor Wylie said the City was also fortunate to have Mr. Van Vactor who had experience as a
County administrator.
Mr. Leahy said the office was very fortunate to have someone with Mr. Van Vactor's experience,
personality and demeanor.
Mayor Lundberg agreed that his past experience was invaluable.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa
Christine L. Lundberg
Mayor
Attest:
Amy Sow
City Reco er