HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 20-25 Approving New Job Classification and New Job Description - signed
RESOLUTION NO. 20-25
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING A NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION AND
NEW JOB DESCRIPTION
T H E C I T Y C O U N C I L
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, the Council desires to approve new “City Attorney” job classification, set
compensation range for the classification, and adopt a job description for the unrepresented
classification; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City Council of the City of Morro Bay does hereby
attest:
1. The unrepresented full-time classification of “City Attorney” is hereby created. The job
description for this new classification, attached hereto, is hereby adopted. The initial annual
compensation for the City Attorney classification shall be as follows:
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
201,947 207,002 212,160 217,464 222,914
2. This resolution shall be effective as of the date of its adoption
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a regular meeting
thereof held on the 22nd day of April 2025 by the following vote:
AYES: Wixom, Eckles, Edwards, Landrum, Luffee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
______________________________
CARLA WIXOM, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk
Carla Wixom (Apr 23, 2025 14:44 PDT)
Carla Wixom
CITY ATTORNEY
DEFINITION
Under the broad policy direction of the City Council, the City Attorney serves as the chief legal
officer of the City of Morro Bay. This position provides legal advice and representation to the City
Council, City Manager, and City departments, and oversees all the City's legal affairs. The City
Attorney is appointed by and reports directly to the City Council and is a City Executive Team
member. The City Attorney performs high-level professional legal work, advises on policy and
operational matters, and ensures the City’s activities comply with applicable laws and minimizes
liability.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serves as legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, City departments, boards,
commissions, and committees.
• Drafts, reviews, and interprets ordinances, resolutions, policies, contracts, development
agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Represents the City in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings;
manages and oversees outside legal counsel.
• Provides legal support and risk management advice to reduce liability exposure and
ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws.
• Attends all City Council and designated board/commission meetings and provides legal
guidance on matters under discussion.
• Reviews staff reports, agenda items, and public communications for legal sufficiency and
clarity.
• Advises on public records, open meetings (Brown Act), conflicts of interest, and ethics
laws.
• Supports and advises on land use and planning matters, including California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), zoning, Coastal Act compliance, and entitlement
processes.
• Provides legal guidance on lease negotiations and management of City-owned real
property, including tidelands and harbor leases.
• Advises on harbor operations and legal obligations under the Tidelands Trust and related
State agency regulations.
• Provides legal review and counsel on public works, construction projects, and professional
services contracts.
• Coordinates with the City Engineer and Public Works staff on contract law, bid protests,
and infrastructure legal issues.
• Reviews and recommends updates to the Municipal Code and City policies to ensure legal
consistency and clarity.
• Develops and delivers training for elected officials and City staff on applicable laws, legal
updates, and City policy compliance.
• Coordinates legal strategy and oversees the work of outside legal counsel; reviews and
approves related invoices.
• Maintains professional knowledge of evolving municipal law, including pending legislation
and case law.
• Performs other duties as assigned or as necessary to meet the legal needs of the City.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of municipal law, public agency risk management, and litigation.
• Land use planning, CEQA, zoning, and coastal land use laws and permitting processes.
• Real property, lease negotiation, and management related to harbor and tidelands.
• California laws, including the Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, and
Government Code provisions affecting public agencies.
• Public works construction law, procurement procedures, and contract administration.
• Principles of legal research, writing, and case law analysis.
Ability to:
• Provide sound legal advice and represent the City’s interests effectively in all forums.
• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations affecting municipal government.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally with elected officials, staff, and
the public.
• Work collaboratively with department heads, community partners, and legal
counterparts.
• Maintain professional confidentiality and exercise sound ethical judgment.
• Manage complex legal projects and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Supervise and coordinate outside legal counsel services effectively.
Education & Experience:
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Minimum five (5) years of increasingly responsible legal experience in municipal law or
equivalent.
• Experience with land use, coastal law, lease management, and harbor operations
preferred.
• Coastal city legal experience is highly desirable.
The Fine Print
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change
as the employer's needs and job requirements change.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of
specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the
position.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED
Frequent use of personal computers, word processing and legal research software, email, telephone, and standard office
equipment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear, and occasionally required to
walk, use hands, and reach with arms. The role may involve occasionally lifting or moving objects up to 10 pounds. Close vision
and the ability to adjust focus are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities t o
perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is typically performed in a standard office setting or in public meeting environments and community venues. The noise level
is generally quiet in the office and may vary from quiet to moderate in public settings.
Approved by the Morro Bay City Council on April 22, 2025.
Reso 20-25 Attch 1 City Attorney Job
Description DRAFT 2025
Final Audit Report 2025-04-23
Created:2025-04-23
By:Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAvl8DmkRkFW8ffFAwVYsLaS4wFoYPgNt4
"Reso 20-25 Attch 1 City Attorney Job Description DRAFT 2025"
History
Document created by Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
2025-04-23 - 7:39:58 PM GMT
Document emailed to cwixom@morrobayca.gov for signature
2025-04-23 - 7:41:51 PM GMT
Email viewed by cwixom@morrobayca.gov
2025-04-23 - 9:43:57 PM GMT
Signer cwixom@morrobayca.gov entered name at signing as Carla Wixom
2025-04-23 - 9:44:25 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Carla Wixom (cwixom@morrobayca.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-04-23 - 9:44:27 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov) for signature
2025-04-23 - 9:44:29 PM GMT
Email viewed by Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov)
2025-04-23 - 9:49:59 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-04-23 - 9:50:19 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2025-04-23 - 9:50:19 PM GMT