12-28-11 Workshop MINUTES
City Commission Workshop
City Attorney Interviews
Dec. 28, 2011, at 6:30 p.m.
The purpose of this meeting is to interview law firms who have submitted a Letter of Interest
in providing legal services for the City of Ocoee. This is a workshop meeting and no formal
action will be taken.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vandergrift called the workshop session to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall.
Present: Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Wilsen, Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioner
Johnson, and Commissioner Keller.
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Clerk Eikenberry
II. TEN MINUTE INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
A ten minute introduction and summary of qualifications was presented by each of the firms;
followed by a ten minute question/answer period from the City Commission. The firms were
heard in the following order:
1. 6:50 P.M. Brown, Garganese, Weiss & D'Agresta, Suzanne D'Agresta & Tony Garganese
2. 7:15 P.M. Bryant Miller Olive, Clayton Simmons & Tom Draes
3. 7:35 P.M. Gray Robinson, Thomas Wilkes & Thomas Cloud
4. 7:57 P.M Shutts & Bowen, Dan O'Keefe
Commissioners asked the same questions of all attorneys:
Commissioner Keller inquired as to what their firm does to stay on top of changing
legislations that tend to float under the radar such as the recent changes to gun laws that
caused most cities to change their Code of Ordinances.
Commissioner Johnson asked if commercial businesses are ignoring outstanding liens against
their property, is there a way to pursue that or to deny them an occupational license (Business
tax license) to keep them from doing business in the City until they meet compliance.
Commissioner Hood and /or Mayor Vandergrift asked about their experience with Charter
Schools.
Mayor Vandergrift, asked attorneys to explain their understanding of the relationship between
the City Manager and City Attorney; as well as the relationship with City Commission and
City Attorney.
City Commission Workshop
December 28, 2011
III. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS
Mayor Vandergrift explained to everyone that there will be a second meeting with five more
attorney firms. We will hold a Special Session after the meeting for discussion and possible
action to choose a law firm. Commissioner Hood noted he would like to hold the Special
Session on another day, so there is time to consider all firms from both workshops.
Commissioner Keller reminded the Commission that we are on a very tight time frame to hire a
new attorney and get knowledge transferred. City Manager Frank said that he spoke to City
Attorney Rosenthal and he is comfortable with the decision being made by the January 17, 2012
commission meeting, but not after that. There was discussion the Mr. Rosenthal has a non -
compete clause with Foley Lardner and he is not able to extend any work for the city passed his
retirement date of January 31, 2012 without facing stiff tax consequences. City Manager Frank
stated that we can take him to lunch and have discussions with him; however he cannot do
anything that result in charges to the city for his services.
In an unrelated manner, there was discussion about the timing of the Special Session and Award
Presentations at the upcoming January 4, 2012, commission meeting. There was consensus to
move the Award presentations (Christmas Parade, Holiday Lights, and Tennis Awards) to 6:30
p.m.
IV. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
A
VW ikenberry, City Cle . Scott Vandergrift, , •yor