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Budget Study Session FY 2011-12. City Attorney May 25, 2011. City Attorney’s Office Department Overview. Mission Statement
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Budget Study SessionFY 2011-12 City Attorney May 25, 2011
City Attorney’s OfficeDepartment Overview • Mission Statement The City Attorney's Office is committed to providing professional, quality legal services that ultimately protect the interests of the City of Glendale, its departments, all City officials, and the citizens of the community. We provide a full range of dedicated, in-house legal services intended to ensure the legality of legislation, contracts, and programs, as well as ethically and competently defending legal actions filed against the City and its employees. We enforce code violations through the prosecution function.
City Attorney’s OfficeDepartment Overview • In accordance with the City Charter (Article VIII, Section 2), the City Attorney is appointed by the City Council to: • Prosecute violations of the Charter and City ordinances. • Defend all lawsuits and other legal matters to which the City is a party or in which the City may be legally interested. • Attend City Council meetings. • Provide a full range of legal services to the City. • Act in the capacity as legal advisor to the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, City Departments, and all appointed boards and commissions.
City Attorney’s OfficeDepartment Overview • While performing duties as the City's chief legal advisor, the City Attorney, among other things: • Manages all outside counsel. • Reviews and negotiates all agreements. • Advises on labor and employment issues. • Drafts and reviews legislation. • Litigates civil cases. • Prosecutes Glendale Municipal Code violations.
Department Overview • Core Services • Transactional: The Transactional attorneys prepare and approve City ordinances, resolutions, motions, and contracts, render legal opinions, and negotiate transactions. Of utmost importance, Transactional staff strategically serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, City Departments, and Boards and Commissions. They are also involved in civil actions pertaining to land use, housing, business disputes, and environmental issues.
Department Overview • Core Services • Litigation: The Litigation staff attorneys defend the City in legal actions and/or claims brought against it, and, where authorized, initiate lawsuits including nuisance and eminent domain proceedings.
Department Overview • Core Services • Code Enforcement: Code Enforcement attorneys pursue justice through fair and ethical prosecution arising out of violations of the Charter and City ordinances. Overall, they seek compliance with a wide range of ordinances to protect the quality of life in the City.
Reductions Since FY 2007-08 • Removal of Chief Assistant City Attorney position • Legal Secretary position reallocated downward to Office Services Secretary
CONTRACTS • Court Reporter Services • Racklin Bernstein & Associates • Ron Fernicola & Associates • Messenger Service • Artek Messenger Service • Attorney Service • DDS Legal Support Systems, Inc. • Photocopy Service for Subpoenaing Records • Esquire Photocopy Service • Interpreter Service • Transworld Interpreters • Online Research (Westlaw)
City Attorney’s OfficeFull Time Equivalents - FY 2011-12 Management/Professional Staff: • 6 Supervising Attorneys (Management Staff) • 8 Attorneys (Professional Staff; one vacant position) • 1 Supervisor (Management Staff - Executive Analyst) • 1 Paralegal (Professional Staff - Administrative Analyst)
City Attorney’s OfficeGeneral Fund – Staffing Impacts • While not recommended as a reduction, the loss of a Transactional staff member would reduce the responsiveness for legal reviews and advice including legal opinions, contract drafting and review, drafting ordinances, resolutions, motions, etc.
