Saratoga News Council looks into seeking new city attorney services Stan Bogosian wants to look around By Sarah Lombardo Saratoga City Councilmember Stan Bogosian wants to see what's out there in the way of law firms. The newly elected vice mayor proposed Dec. 2 that the City Council "solicit invitations from law firms for the contract services of the city attorney." "It's been quite some number of years that we've had this firm, and I think it would be to our benefit to test the market, as it were, and see what's out there in the way of these services." The city has contracted with Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver and Wilson for the past eight years, and Bogosian said it's time to see if there are legal services more suitable to city needs. "Lawyer services are a significant part of our budget, and it can run into excess of $10,000 a month, depending on what litigation we are or are not in," Bogosian told the Saratoga News. "I'd like to see if there are more efficient firms out there. I would like to see if we can do it cheaper and more efficiently. Eight years, that's a long time for a contract." Councilmembers supported the proposal, agreeing to schedule a discussion about the topic for the council's Dec. 16 meeting. "I think it's time for the city to test the waters," Councilman John Mehaffey said. Councilmembers also instructed city manager Larry Perlin to draw up requests for qualifications and to review past council procedures for choosing city attorney Mike Riback's firm. Although there was no mention of current litigation at the meeting, the proposal sparked debate among council watchers afterwards, who said the discussion was a result of councilmembers' dissatisfaction with the firm in the Saratoga Creek case, in which the environmental groups Friends of Santa Clara County Creeks and San Francisco BayKeeper are suing the city over the condition of the creek. Bogosian and Mayor Jim Shaw have said at past meetings that they feel the case, first filed in 1995, has gone on too long. And newly seated councilmembers Evan Baker and John Mehaffey also questioned the longevity of the case during their campaigns. But Bogosian would not comment on the speculation. "The only thing I can say to that is that lawyers take their direction from city councils, and that hasn't changed," he said. "For me, it's just a look into if we can't get it running a little more smoothly and efficiently, considering our finances." Bogosian likened the situation to that of the city seeking the lowest bidder for repaving the streets or painting the building. In fact, Bogosian said, he hopes that if the council does decide to shop around, that the law firm that now contracts with the city will put in a bid. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, December 9, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.