HomeMy WebLinkAbout15345RESOLUTION NO. 15345
A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF
GEORGE A. HYPOLITE TO THE POSITION OF CITY
ATTORNEY
WHEREAS, Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar has requested confirmation by the City Council
of his appointment of George A. Hypolite to the vacant position of City Attorney; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hypolite meets and surpasses the qualifications for appointment as the
City Attorney based upon his education, training, and experience; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that
SECTION 1.
The appointment by the Mayor of George A. Hypolite as City Attorney is hereby
confirmed.
SECTION 2.
The officers and staff of the City are authorized and directed to perform any and all acts
consistent with this Resolution which are necessary or appropriate to implement the
appointment described herein.
SECTION 3.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval.
INTRODUCED: August 14, 2023
BY: Dennis Flores
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY:
CITY CLERK
City Clerk's Office Item # Q5
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 14, 2023
TO: President Heather Graham and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar
VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk
FROM: Nicholas Gradisar, Mayor
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF GEORGE A.
HYPOLITE TO THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY
SUMMARY:
The Mayor has appointed George A. Hypolite to the vacant position of City Attorney
and requests confirmation of said appointment by the City Council. Such appointment is
based on Mr. Hypolite’s education, training, experience, and fitness for the position.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
None
BACKGROUND:
The former City Attorney, Daniel Kogovsek, retired from the position effective May 31,
2023. The City engaged in national search to fill this critical position in the City. During
the recruitment period, Robert Jagger, Assistant City Attorney, has been serving as the
Interim City Attorney.
After a series of interviews, the Mayor selected Mr. George A. Hypolite to fill this
position. Part of the selection process included a verification of his qualifications which
demonstrated Mr. Hypolite’ s extensive and diverse legal background. The Mayor is
confident that this makes him not only a qualified candidate for the position, but ideal.
Mr. Hypolite has most recently served in the capacity of Assistant Attorney General for
the for the State of Colorado’s Department of Law. In this capacity, he acted as the
public contracting expert within the Transportation Unit of the Attorney General’s Office
performing duties such as general counsel to the Colorado High-Performance
Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) which included the Bridge and Tunnel Enterprise,
Clean Transit Enterprise and Non-Attainment Area Air Pollution Mitigation Enterprise.
and handling all transactional activities such as negotiations and drafting complex
agreements with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and their
governmental partners and private parties. He also advised on open meetings, open
records, TABOR, innovative surface transportation delivery, public-private partnerships,
public finance and CDOT procurement and rulemaking matters.
In his legal employment over the past ten years, Mr. Hypolite has represented the
Department of Aviation in matters relating to Denver International Airport, managed
legal teams responsible for both commercial and municipal legal matters which have
included counsel services for a multi-million dollar lending portfolio. He has garnered
skills in national and international construction projects and contracts, litigation, annual
budgets, infrastructure, and personnel matters.
Mr. Hypolite has earned his Doctorate of Law from the University of San Diego School
of Law and a Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies/Women’s Studies from the University of
Colorado.
Considering his vast range of legal knowledge and his desire to make a difference in
our community, the appointment of Mr. Hypolite to the position of City Attorney will only
add to the success of Pueblo’s future.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The salary and benefits of the City Attorney have been budgeted and appropriated
within the 2023 budget.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure to confirm the appointment of the City Attorney will result in that position
remaining vacant.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
None