The Morgan Hill City Council appointed Donald Larkin, an 18-year veteran of municipal law, as the new city attorney.
The five-member council voted unanimously at their May 4 meeting to appoint Larkin to the position starting on or before July 11. He will replace former City Attorney Renee Gurza, who resigned in November 2015 after about 2.5 years on the job.
The city began the recruitment process to fill the city attorney’s position immediately after Gurza’s resignation, with Interim City Attorney Gary Baum filling in until the council settled on a permanent replacement. In November 2015, the city retained Heather Renschler and the firm Ralph Andersen and Associates to conduct the recruitment process that netted Larkin.
Larkin has in fact worked in Morgan Hill before, as Acting Deputy City Attorney several years ago. He has also worked for the city attorney’s office in both Santa Clara and Palo Alto, according to a press release from Morgan Hill City Hall. He currently serves as Deputy County Counsel for Santa Clara County, with his primary assignment in the sheriff’s office.
He has expertise in municipal law, including writ litigation, land use, environmental law, employee relations, housing, Police, Fire, Public Records Act, and the Brown Act, according to the press release.
Larkin told the council May 4 that the appointment is “an ideal position” for him. Not only is he “very dedicated to public service (and) passionate about involvement in the community;” he is also excited to be in Morgan Hill again, he said.
“I could not be more thrilled to be back,” Larkin said. “When I left, I said some day I will be back in Morgan Hill.”
Numerous candidates applied for the city attorney position, and the council conducted a series of interviews, according to the press release. The leading candidates were also interviewed by top city staff and employees of the city attorney’s office.
“Mr. Larkin demonstrated through his interviews and work experience that he will be a valuable member of our team and work collaboratively with the city council to advance our community priorities,” Mayor Steve Tate said. “We are very pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Larkin as our city attorney.”
Larkin’s annual salary will be $215,000, according to city staff. Like all other city employees, he will make his employee retirement contribution to CalPERS, as well as half of any increase in the city’s contribution to CalPERS.
