Mayor Cooper Called the Meeting to Order at 5:05 P.M

MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH, FLORIDA, HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012 AT 5:00 P.M., CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 400 S. FEDERAL HIGHWAY, HALLANDALE BEACH, FLORIDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Cooper called the meeting to Order at 5:05 P.M.

2. ROLL CALL

Commissioners London and Ross, Vice Mayor Sanders, Mayor Cooper, Acting City Manager Rafols-Sallaberry, and Assistant City Attorney McKenney – All Present.

Also present was Radu Dodea, Assistant Director, Personnel/Labor Relations Department, Edward Dion, Attorney, Nabors Giblin & Nickerson, P.A. and Cynthia Everett, Village Attorney, Village of Pinecrest.

Commissioner Lewy arrived at 5:11 P.M.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. CITY BUSINESS

A. Discussion Regarding Operations of the City Attorney's Office

Mayor Cooper briefed the City Commission on the purpose of the meeting being that the City Attorney is away from the City for approximately four (4) weeks due to illness. She further outlined the alternatives for appointment of an Interim City Attorney or contract Special Counsel on a case by case basis for upcoming Land Use and other matters as well as additional work to be completed for the 2011 Charter Review Cycle.

Acting City Manager Rafols-Sallaberry, Assistant City Attorney McKenney, Radu Dodea, Assistant Director of Personnel/Labor Relations, Edward Dion, Attorney, Nabors Giblin & Nickerson, P.A., and Cynthia Everett, Village Attorney, Village of Pinecrest, gave a presentation and answered questions posed by the City Commission.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LONDON TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RETAIN EDWARD DION, ATTORNEY, OF NABORS GIBLIN & NICKERSON, P.A., AS THE INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY, FOR A FLAT FEE OF NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,000) FOR UP TO NINETY (90) HOURS PER MONTH AND THEREAFTER AT A BILLIG RATE OF ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($175) PER HOUR, UNTIL CITY ATTORNEY WHITFIELD RETURNS TO WORK.

Vice Mayor Sanders Seconded the Motion for discussion.

January 23, 2012 Consensus:

- To authorize Interim City Attorney Dion to contract with Weiss, Serota Helfman, et al., with Suzan Travarthen as the representing attorney and Special Counsel for the upcoming land use matters.

After discussion by the City Commission, Mayor Cooper called the Question.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LONDON, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR SANDERS, TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RETAIN EDWARD DION, ATTORNEY, OF NABORS GIBLIN & NICKERSON, P.A., AS THE INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY, FOR A FLAT FEE OF NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,000) FOR UP TO NINETY (90) HOURS PER MONTH AND THEREAFTER AT A BILLIG RATE OF ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($175) PER HOUR, UNTIL CITY ATTORNEY WHITFIELD RETURNS TO WORK. The Motion carried on a 5/0 Voice vote.

5. ADJOURN

There being no further business before the City Commission, Mayor Cooper adjourned the meeting at 5:44 P.M.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

______Mayor

ATTEST:

______

City Clerk

RECORDING SECRETARY: Sheena D. James, City Clerk

APPROVED BY COMMISSION: February 15, 2012

January 23, 2012