HomeMy WebLinkAboutN-350 - Legal ServicesCITY OF PASCO
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
Administrative Order No. 350
Executive
Subject: Legal Services
Initial Effective Date:November 1, 2018
Revised
Approved
I. PURPOSE:
This Administrative Order is issued to outline policies and procedures for contacts with
the City Attorney.
II. DEPARTMENTS AFFECTED:
All
III. POLICY:
A. The City currently contracts for legal services for which it compensates on an
hourly basis. It is the City's goal and responsibility to see that legal services are
prioritized, delivered timely and utilized as efficiently as possible.
IV. DEFINITIONS:
V.
A. "City Attorney" means all licensed attorneys or staff employed by the contracted
legal firm of the City.
B. "Legal Project" means any request for legal research, written opinions or the
drafting of correspondence, memorandums, or ordinances or similar that are listed
on the legal project list for each respective department.
C. "Legal Inquiry" means any informal request for legal advice (emails, phone calls,
in-person consultations, etc.) not rising to the level of a Legal Project.
D. "Legal Review" means the review of a drafted document that requires a cursory
examination by the City Attorney.
A. Before contacting the City Attorney for general legal services, employees are expected to
consider what City resources are available to mitigate the time/cost that will be necessary
to do the work.
1. Are there publications (MRSC-AWC), or City staff that can be contacted to
answer questions?
2. Are there templates available for draft resolutions, ordinances or agreements?
3. What are the potential risks associated with not consulting with legal counsel?
B. All contacts with the City Attorney for the purpose of initiating new "legal projects" will
be made only through Department Directors, the City Manager or Deputy City Manager.
Once a project has been initiated, Division Managers, or designated employees, as
assigned by the Director or City Manager, may communicate with the City Attorney
regarding such project.
C. The City Manager's office shall be advised of all new projects for the purpose of work
prioritizing as needed.
D. All contacts with the City Attorney for the purpose of initiating new "legal inquiries" or
"legal reviews" will be made only through Department Directors, the City Manager,
Deputy City Manager, Division Managers or designated employees. Legal inquiries or
reviews may only be converted to a legal project upon approval of the Department
Director, City Manager, or Deputy City Manager.
Approved:
i
Dave Zabelf, anager
Date
Administrative Order No. 350 —Legal Services
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