Cape Coral City Council discusses city attorney search
The job of a city attorney is a difficult one. The person has to be very versatile, with legal knowledge of a vast number of issues.
On Wednesday, during a workshop, the Cape Coral City Council heard from the firm that will be tasked with finding the candidate who will take over for City Attorney Dolores Menendez, who has been in the role since 2001.
They also discussed the possible exit strategy for Menendez, who has stated a desire to retire in October 2024, but it could happen sooner, depending in what option city council decides upon in a March 1 meeting. Her contract once again comes up for consideration in April.
Renee Narloch, of Narloch & Associates, the executive search firm that will find the candidates for the position, said there will be parameters and requirements for the position.
“The candidate should have 10 years of local government experience at the executive level. We also like candidates who have legal experience in litigation, administrative law, trial law or appellate work,” Narloch said. “We would look for someone who has worked for similar sized agencies to the city and either as deputy or lead attorney for a larger organization.”
She also said the new city attorney would need to be approachable, a good fit for the city, and have broad legal experience.
“We want someone who can fit in, that can build trust quickly and understand they are there to serve everyone,” Narloch said. “We have a great process where we work with you and staff to make sure we get qualified candidates and what they bring to the table.”
Narloch said she would get five to seven qualified candidates for the city to consider. The question then becomes when that person would take over, how much overlap there would be between the new and old city attorney, and when the old city attorney leaves.
On Feb. 1, Council decided it would find a new city attorney and not find someone who would serve as a deputy for 14 months until Menendez retires, as a potential successor may not be comfortable with that.
With Menendez’s contract up for renewal on April 9 (the contract expires Oct. 9), it appears to be certain that her current contract is not going to be renewed, and it may be in the city’s best interest to give a notice of non-renewal, said Mayor John Gunter.
“I think that is the direction council is going and we will have that topic in our first meeting in March for discussion,” Gunter said. “After that, once some unknown variables are identified, maybe a new contract can be entered into for a period of time, whether its until October 2024 or shorter.”
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com