LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEYS' ASSOCIATION
(LACAA) / SEIU LOCAL 721
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Date / Time: Wednesday, March 2, 2011; 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Site: ERB Boardroom
City Hall East
Board Members Present: Oscar Winslow (President), Howard Fuchs (First Vice-President), Mark Lambert (Second Vice-President), Juliann Anderson (Secretary), Nick Karno (Criminal Director), Patrick Hiscocks (Criminal Director), Ann Rosenthal (Criminal Director), Garcelle Embry (Civil Director), Marie McTeague (Civil Director)
SEIU Local 721 Representative
Present: Julie Butcher
General Counsel: Robert Hunt
Discussion regarding donations to councilmember officeholder accounts.
Report from accountant regarding general fund versus political action committee fund.
Public relations.
Summary by Board member Karno of discussion with Rich Llewellyn, chief of staff, Councilman Koretz. According to Llewellyn, any personal friction between city attorney's office and council based is now strictly marginal: budget deficit is not just the $50 million this year; it's the $300-400 million of next year that is of huge concern. That said, Llewellyn said public relations campaign probably not a bad idea.
Karno reported on meeting with SEIU. Julie Butcher very supportive. Communications director said that she's leaving on March 10 and SEIU will be filling director position at Communications. That individual will need several months to come up to speed.
Board President Winslow reported that Bill Carter supported idea of PR during a meeting today.
Karno summarized opinions regarding firms of Brendan Huffman, Barbara Maynard, Arnie Berghoff, David Gershwin. Huffman well-respected. Maynard very well-informed. Berghoff a giant in city. Built Staples Ctr. Switched us to Google. Expensive. Proposal for a year. Gershwin would give us a great deal of attention.
It was noted that LACAA would have to register as lobbyist employer if it hires a lobbyist.
Karno reported that Llewellyn said lobbyist may not have huge bearing on situation. Lobbyist can't bargain for us; won't be in room when issues hashed out.
Karno gave opinion that lobbyist would not be helpful. Per Julie Butcher, we have to bargain our way out of this. We need to coordinate more and we need an organizer. Goals should include hard freeze on contracting, pension changes, paying for retiree health, and wage deferral.
Karno recommended that LACAA forego a hired lobbyist -- SEIU is our lobbyist. Karno stated that all of the interviewed public relations consultants would serve LACAA well.
[Lengthy discussion of merits of public relations firms versus lobbyists.]
Motion to hire public relations firm for six-month contract.
Motion by Karno; second by McTeague.
In favor: Lambert, Rosenthal, Embry, Fuchs, Anderson, Karno, McTeague, Winslow.
Against: Hiscocks.
Motion to hire lobbyist for six-month contract
Motion by Karno; second by Fuchs.
In favor: Fuchs, Winslow.
Against: Lambert, McTeague, Rosenthal , Anderson, Karno.
Abstain: Embry.
Motion to hire Maynard or Gershwin firm.
For Maynard: Rosenthal, Hiscocks, Anderson, Karno, McTeague, Lambert.
For Gershwin: Embry, Winslow, Fuchs.
Mayard firm – hired.
Committee to meet w/ Maynard and Butcher within the next week.
SEIU / coalition briefing.
SEIU representative Julie Butcher reported that the City Council supported Wisconsin workers, then the mayor came in and changed everything unilaterally. A layoff list of 1250 is still a threat. The union's goal: a no layoff, no furlough budget
Council issues.
To attend Diabetes function on March 24, 2011 (roast): Elizabeth Greenwood, Michael Amerian, Winslow, Embry, Karno, Lambert, Capri Maddox, Rita Venegas, Marie McTeague.
Motion to support Foresee in CD 8
For: 4
Against: 4
Motion re Bob Hunt's retirement.
Motion to buy a table: approved.
Minutes respectfully submitted,
Juliann Anderson
Board Secretary
Los Angeles City Attorneys' Association
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