The city of Morgan Hill
’s search for a new city attorney began last week as the council
approved approximately $24,000 for an executive search firm to
launch the effort. City Councilman Steve Tate said the City Council
decided to use a recruitment firm because it is the standard
procedure used to help cities like Morgan
Hill reach out to eligible applicants.
The city of Morgan Hill’s search for a new city attorney began last week as the council approved approximately $24,000 for an executive search firm to launch the effort.
City Councilman Steve Tate said the City Council decided to use a recruitment firm because it is the standard procedure used to help cities like Morgan Hill reach out to eligible applicants.
“The firms do a very thorough job in searching for applicants. They are totally understanding what we’re looking for and take all other considerations finding the right applicant for the job,” said Tate.
The City Council approved hiring Bob Murray & Associates, a Sacramento executive search firm, upon the recommendation of the Financial Policy Committee. The firm has experience conducting city attorney searches for the cities of Salinas, Newport Beach, Stockton, Palo Alto, Bakersfield, San Mateo, Mountain View, Fresno and Concord.
The council gave city staff the formal authorization to start searching for a full-time city attorney in July. Staff submitted five proposals for executive search recruitment firms to the Financial Policy Committee, who selected the Sacramento firm because it is experienced in city attorney recruitments and matching qualifications of candidates with the needs of city councils. The appointment was approved without much discussion as part of consent agenda items during last Wednesday’s council meeting.
According to the firm’s proposal, the search will entail detailed interviews with the city council and city manager in order to gather the city’s expectations for the new top lawyer. The firm will then develop a candidate profile and advertise the position in professional journals. The firm will also develop a recruitment brochure that will discuss the community, the position and compensation in detail. In addition, the firm will conduct an outreach campaign by making personal calls to prospective applicants. Once candidates are found, the firm will conduct screening, personal interviews, reference checks and background checks of the top two to three individuals. This will be followed by final interviews of these candidates with the city council.
The firm anticipates the process will take between 75 to 90 days from the start of the search to recommending finalists for the position. It will cost the city a maximum of $17,500 for the executive search services and $6,900 for additional expenses.
Former City Attorney Helene Leichter resigned in April after allegations became public in July of 2004 that she was having an affair with City Manager Ed Tewes. Both strongly denied the affair. The separation agreement with Leichter cost the city $233,000, including $71,800 for salary and benefits and $161,000 to compensate for undescribed “alleged physical injury or sickness.” The agreement also included a clause that Leichter would not sue.
Since Leichter’s departure, the city has availed of the services of the Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure and Flegel, LLP law firm at a cost of approximately $23,000 per month. Financial Director Jack Dilles said so far, for the calendar year, the city has paid the firm $245,000 for its services.
It was the general consensus of the City Council to recruit a full-time attorney to replace Leichter instead of outsourcing the job. When they discussed the search in July, council members agreed that as the city grows, it would best be served by having a full-time city attorney in its offices.
“It’s important for the community as we grow that we have a city attorney here, so when questions arise, or legal advice is needed, the city attorney is available to city staff,” said Councilman Mark Grzan.
Salary and benefits for a full-time city attorney are budgeted at a little less than $20,000 per month, according to a city report.
Bob Murray, of Bob Murray & Associates, said representatives of his firm will begin interviewing city council members Sept. 7. He said because the search conducted will be in-depth, this type of search would typically take about five months. The firm would then have city council members interview the top four to six candidates. The council will make the final selection.
In his proposal, Murray stated it is the goal of the City Council to find a candidate that would be an excellent fit with the City of Morgan Hill and reflect positively upon the city. In discussing the search with the council last month, City Manager Ed Tewes noted, as far as staff was concerned, aside from education, knowledge, skills and abilities, experience and the ability to work well with others would be key factors in hiring the right person.Fresno and Concord.
The council gave city staff the formal authorization to start searching for a full-time city attorney in July. Staff submitted five proposals for executive search recruitment firms to the Financial Policy Committee, who selected the Sacramento firm because it is experienced in city attorney recruitments and matching qualifications of candidates with the needs of city councils. The appointment was approved without much discussion as a consent agenda item during last Wednesday’s council meeting.
According to the firm’s proposal, the search will entail detailed interviews with the city council and city manager in order to gather the city’s expectations for the new top lawyer. The firm will then develop a candidate profile and advertise the position in professional journals. The firm will also develop a recruitment brochure that will discuss the community, the position and compensation in detail. In addition, the firm will conduct an outreach campaign by making personal calls to prospective applicants. Once candidates are found, the firm will conduct screening, personal interviews, reference checks and background checks of the top individuals. This will be followed by final interviews of these candidates with the city council.
The firm anticipates the process will take between 75 to 90 days from the start of the search to recommending finalists for the position. It will cost the city a maximum of $17,500 for the executive search services and $6,900 for additional expenses.
Former City Attorney Helene Leichter resigned in April after allegations became public in July of 2004 that she was having an affair with City Manager Ed Tewes. Both strongly denied the affair. The separation agreement with Leichter cost the city $233,000, including $71,800 for salary and benefits and $161,000 to compensate for undescribed “alleged physical injury or sickness.” The agreement also included a clause that Leichter would not sue.
Since Leichter’s departure, the city has availed of the services of the Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure and Flegel, LLP law firm at a cost of approximately $23,000 per month. Financial Director Jack Dilles said so far, for the calendar year, the city has paid the firm $245,000 for its services.
It was the general consensus of the city council to recruit a full-time attorney to replace Leichter instead of outsourcing the job. When they discussed the search in July, council members agreed that as the city grows, it would best be served by having a full-time city attorney in its offices.
“It’s important for the community as we grow that we have a city attorney here, so when questions arise, or legal advice is needed, the city attorney is available to city staff,” said Councilman Mark Grzan.
Salary and benefits for a full-time city attorney are budgeted at a little less than $20,000 per month, according to a city report.
Bob Murray, of Bob Murray & Associates, said representatives of his firm will begin interviewing city council members Sept. 7. He said because the search conducted will be in-depth, this type of search would typically take about five months. The firm would then have city council members interview the top four to six candidates. The council will make the final selection.
In his proposal, Murray stated it is the goal of the city council to find a candidate that would be an excellent fit with the City of Morgan Hill and reflect positively upon the city. In discussing the search with the council last month, City Manager Ed Tewes noted, as far as staff was concerned, aside from education, knowledge, skills and abilities, experience and the ability to work well with others would be key factors in hiring the right person.
