Commissioners, contractors must reapply in Calabasas, city attorney resigns

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer

The city attorney has resigned and library and planning commissioners have been asked to vacate their seats by May 28 as part of Calabasas City Councilman Barry Groveman’s initiatives recently approved by the council. Incumbents can reapply. The purpose is to enable a review process so that councilmembers can make sure that everyone is on the same page, according to Groveman.

In addition, all service contracts for legal, scientific, design, architectural, accounting or financial services to Calabasas that have exceeded $50,000 in the last year are required to be re-bid and renewed.

This might be part of the reason that city attorney Charles Vose resigned last week.

Vose of the Los Angeles-based law firm of Oliver, Vose, Sandifer, Murphy and Lee, has been the city attorney since Calabasas incorporated in 1991.

"The effective date of my resignation shall be upon the conclusion of the city’s request for proposal process and the selection of a new firm to replace Oliver, Vose, Sandifer, Murphy and Lee," Vose said in his resignation letter to the city.

"I believe that this resignation is necessary in order to guarantee that the city of Calabasas will receive proposals from the more qualified law firms that have significant experience in the representation of municipalities in Los Angeles County as a contract city attorney. At such time that the city of Calabasas selects a new law firm to replace Oliver, Vose, Sandifer, Murphy and Lee, we will, of course, cooperate with the selected firm to transfer relevant files and provide our analysis as to the status of pending matters," the letter said.

Vose didn’t return repeated phone calls to his office regarding this story.

In addition to looking for a new city attorney, Calabasas is still looking for a finance director. The previous one, Cindy Borchard, resigned in December. According to Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem Michael Harrison, she left because of a long commute and a better offer. The city has contracted with part timers to do her work, Harrison said.

City officials just posted a listing in search of qualified individuals to serve on the planning and library commissions.

The purpose of the planning commission is to act in an advisory capacity to the city council in all matters pertaining to the General Plan, land-use regulations and zoning. The purpose of the library commission is to act in an advisory capacity to the council in all matters pertaining to the management, administration, operation, development, improvement and maintenance of the municipal library and its services.

Applicants must be residents of Calabasas. Apply by calling city hall at (818) 878-4225 or by stopping by at 26135 Mureau Road. The deadline for filing applications is 5 p.m., Fri., May 16.