The Canby City Council met briefly in a special session Tuesday night and directed Mayor Brian Hodson and City Administrator Scott Archer to locate and secure an interim city attorney.
It was the first time the council had convened since bombshell allegations came to light from current City Attorney Joe Lindsay, which claimed the council and mayor may have violated public meetings and records laws, employment laws and codes of ethics for elected officials.
Lindsay has been on medical leave of his own volition since March 9.
Councilors did not discuss the allegations or any related matter Tuesday night. Certainly one of the shortest in the history of the Canby City Council, the meeting clocked in at just over two minutes from opening to adjournment.
Archer was directed to locate an interim city attorney to serve in Lindsay’s stead, including attending City Council meetings and advising the council on city business. The move was approved, 5-0, with Councilor Chris Bangs absent.
In his March 9 letter outlining his complaints and claims of possible violations by the council, Lindsay had recommended the city consider procuring additional legal services from the Portland firm Beery, Elsner & Hammond LLP, with which it already contracts for Urban Renewal Agency matters.
In the March 28 meeting, councilors did not specify a firm or attorney. Hodson told the Current in a follow-up email that staff began reaching out to firms and attorneys the following day.
“Once we have quotes, staff and I will move forward in bringing one of them on board for the interim,” Hodson said. “Once the decision is made, staff or I will notify the council and then the community at the next city council meeting.”
