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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