Sylvia Borunda Firth, City Attorney 2016 Performance Evaluation Narrative Completed OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS What specific recommendations do you have for the City Attorney to improve performance? Clty Attorney needs to delegate to her staff issues that she belleves may be falling behind. ‘Continue working closely with members of City Council and City staff Follow up on counell requests for information in a timely, professional manner. Give legitimate [onelderation to counell eccomendations and eliminate bias, f even only percelved In her decisions. CA stronger attention to detall, Le., Open Records Request management, rallroad negotiations for Arena location, City Attorney, Council and City Management Public communications. ‘There are times when Council as a whole has taken hits from the public and the media. Me. Firth needs to be more assertive in not only advising council but the fallout or consequences that will follow should council choose to go in a certain direction. am concerned that updates have become hit-or-miss situations. We used to get a very good ‘monthly presentation on all outstanding projects. Now we simply get snippets because they are always put at the end of the Executive Session Agenda ‘What impressed you most about the City Attorney's performance during this past year? Hor continued friendly and professional demeanor when faced with adverse situations. ‘She figures out a way to get things done Instead of immediately saying It cannot be accomplished. CA ability to minimize legal exposure of Councit’s decision making. : ‘Thore have been a couple occasions where legal advice has beon sought and Ms. Firth has made herself immodiatoly available as well as had her colleagues available. She is very good at putting the needs of council members as a priority. That is very much appreciated. Sylvia has had to deal with a lot of critical situations this year. She is avallable for Information, although at times | am left behind and have to repeat my requests. What should be the priorities for the City Attorney over the next year? To continue providing good legal advice to mayor and council members. She should also include the city manager and his team in Issues that affect the operation of the city. ‘She needs to continue to keep all City Council members informed,Establish a better working relationship with all 8 members of council and the mayor. Open Records Request: Improve policies and process towards transparency in government. Ms. Firth serves at the pleasure of Mayor and Council. There is a perception that she is not always falr and equal to all council members. It appears that she Is working for the City Manager and not the Counetl, ‘The arena is going to take up a great portion of her Job. 1 want her to focus on making the families g00d. I nover agreed that this was the best location and were given incorrect information, but that ‘was not her fault, In what areas has the City Attorney been exceptional? {n obtaining outside legal advice for issues that in-house attomieys may not have the necessary skills, The team she hired for the acquisition of properties for the quality of life projects was excellent. The team she hired for utility rate Issues was also excellent. ‘She provides good, solid legal advice CA legal advice. ‘She Is always on. No mattor what topic comes up, she is ready with a response or statement that ‘says she will look into the topic and will bring us full information. What is your major criticism of the City Attorney's performance? Be specific. Ms. Firth should delegate to her staff, those issues that she herself may not be able to resolve timely. She also néeds to adequately budget market rate salaries for her attomeys so that turn ‘overs kept at a minimum, Bias In the handling of the ethics complaint, unresponsive to requests from council to the point that representatives have to file an open records request as the only way of getting Information. City Atty desired outcome conflicting with Council's interests. I think that at times she is overextended and may focus more time and attention to some projects over others. Do you have any additional comments regarding the City Attorney that have a bearing on this evaluation? : Ms. Firth fs an excellent attorney and represents the city on the Texas Bar Association. She is algo Involved with local organizations and fs an ambassador to El Paso. My biggest concer Is lack of response, the charter amendment clearly made her the attorney {or all representatives and as my legal counsel | should be able to expect a response. Questions remain about Open Records Request policies and processes within the office of City atty: and pubtic communications strategy for Multipurpose Performance Center has been lackluster—need to better coordinatete tega, city management, and council political repercussions.Sylvia Firth’s Performance Evaluation Numeric Rating for 2016 Completed December 2016 RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL ‘Keeps Counc informed of organization actives, progress and problema is receptive to Council member ideas and suggeslions ‘Makes sound recommendations for Council action MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND ABILITIES ‘Maintains friendly courteous altitude toward Council members 4.29 Facials the decision making process forthe Counc 4.00 ‘Accepls Counellericim in a endl, frm and postive way 357 ‘Gives constructive criciem in a fiendly, fim and positive way. 00 Follows up on al problems end issues brought to her atenlon ] Tires and maintains competent staff members aie Prepares all necessary reports end keeps accurale records a4 ‘Speaks and writes acceptably 457 Plans wel in edvance aaa is progressive in afltude and action 4.00 PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES Displays good grooming ar | Projects professional demeanor 457 Participates in professional acivles uch as assoclaon aces aa3 Displays « good sense of humor 429 “Average Rating aaa Date x 4Job Data Page 1 of 1 >. 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