Solvang hired its interim city attorney for the job on a permanent basis, despite the fact his hourly rate exceeded that sought by other applicants.
On Monday night, the City Council voted to hire Chip Wullbrandt from Price, Postel & Parma LLP as the contract city attorney.
Wullbrandt, as a partner, charges $335 per hour, making his rate above others who submitted proposals and those currently working for nearby cities.
A committee of councilmen Chris Djernaes and Daniel Johnson recommended keeping Wullbrandt after reviewing the proposals.
Djernaes said the committee felt strongly that Wullbrandt’s firm provided the “best fit,” noting Johnson had commented that the attorney has worked “to protect and defend the interest of the City Council.”
“Over the last three months, I think that Chip has done an amazing job, working beyond the call of duty if you will,” Djernaes said. “I’m not sure if that’s the best way to say it, other than he worked far more hours than anybody would expect him to do under a reasonable circumstance, and he had to because unfortunately the city was put in a very difficult situation.”
Wullbrandt’s billing shows it.
For his first full month of service in July he submitted a bill for $74,837, more than half the $135,500 budgeted for the entire year for city attorney services in Solvang. He also received $6,600 for June.
In addition to Santa Barbara-based Price, Postel & Parma, three other firms were finalists among nine answering the city’s requests for proposal.
Those other three candidates for city attorney had proposed hourly rates between $225 and $275.
Likewise, Wullbrandt’s rate far exceeds the amount other cities pay their contract attorneys.
In neighboring Buellton, the city attorney, Greg Murphy from Burke, Williams & Sorenson LLP, receives a fixed monthly retainer of $10,250 for up to 50 hours, which breaks down to $205 per hour. Additional services for Murphy would be billed at $260 per hour.
Guadalupe pays Phil Sinco $165 an hour. Sinco retired as assistant city attorney for Santa Maria and launched an independent law practice.
Lompoc, served by Jeff Malawy from Aleshire & Wynder, LLP, pays an hourly rate ranging from $170 to $200, or $320 if the city is reimbursed by a private party.
Solvang began searching for a new attorney after Dave Fleishman submitted his resignation letter, saying the council majority “is entitled to and should be served by a city attorney whose ethical standards and commitment to the rule of law more closely match their own.”
The selection of the most expensive proposal came as the City Council has touted a need to tighten its financial belt and better account for public funds, leading to the abrupt termination of contracts with the Solvang Conference and Visitor Bureau and Solvang Chamber of Commerce.
Wullbrandt has worn many hats while serving as interim city attorney, according to Djernaes.
“From that standpoint, he brings an enormous amount of talent, expertise and experience to this position. I can’t think of anybody better at this time,” Djernaes said.
But others viewed Wullbrandt as stretching his role, questioning the involvement of the contract city attorney in matters typically handled by city staff.
Ed Skytt, a former councilman, is among those who questioned the city attorney’s expanded role, including participating as a member of ad hoc committees.
“I don’t think he’s coming up from Santa Barbara on his own and doing it gratis,” Skytt said, noting that the council has repeatedly talked about being fiscally responsible.
Mayor Ryan Toussaint said a new attorney would have to undergo a learning process to get familiar with Solvang’s issues, which would delay progress.
“So I would think for continuity reasons that would be not the smartest decision,” Toussaint said.
Wullbrandt isn’t the only one who received business from the council on Monday night.
The small city recently hired public information officer Kady Fleckenstein, who received a contract extension for $110 per hour up to 35 hours per week for the next four months, or approximately $65,000.
The initial contracts for Fleckenstein allotted her more than $18,000.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.