Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
title
Appointment of the City Attorney
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor, with Council approval, appoint E.I. Cornbrooks IV, Esquire of the firm of Karpinski, Cornbrooks, and Karp, P.A. as the Attorney for the City.
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Summary Background:
E.I. Cornbrooks IV, has served as the City Attorney since December 15, 2016. Below is the section of the City Charter pertaining to the appointment of the City Attorney.
§ C6-4. City Attorney.
Within sixty (60) days after the Mayor and Council just elected are [qualified] sworn in the City Attorney’s position shall be subject to review by the City Council for appointment or reappointment. The Mayor, with the approval of the Council, may appoint a City Attorney who shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the City Council. The City Attorney shall be a member of the bar of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The City Attorney shall be the legal adviser of the City and shall perform such duties in this connection as may be required by the Council or the Mayor. His/her compensation shall be determined by the Council. The City shall have the power to employ such legal consultants as it deems necessary from time to time.
Next Steps:
Upon approval the City's legal services will continue to be handled by E.I. Cornbrooks IV, Esquire of the firm of Karpinski, Cornbrooks, and Karp, P.A.
Fiscal Impact:
Included in Budgeted Funds for FY24 Legal Services
City Administrator Comments:
Fully Support. Skip Cornbrooks provides the City and staff with sound legal advice and judgement and can address a wide array of complex and unique legal matters. The City has benefited from having a responsive attorney in a large firm, at an extremely competitive rate, who is able to provide opinion on issues that many municipalities consider and contract for as "specialized". Examples include election law, land use, zoning issues, personnel/employment, economic development, telecommunications, Public Information Act (PIA), contractual issues, legislation, liability mitigation, and Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBR) issues.
Community Engagement:
N/A
Strategic Goals:
Goal 4 - Foster Excellence in all City Operations
Legal Review Required?
N/A