Board Counsel and As-Needed Legal Services

The Vendor is required to provide board counsel and as-needed legal services.
- Monthly board counsel services
1. Meetings and attendance
•    All regular monthly meetings and any special meetings of the regional council (RC) and executive and administration committee (EAC); 
•    One designated regular monthly policy committee meeting, as determined by the chief counsel or designee, and additional policy committee meetings on an as-needed basis for coverage; 
•    Bylaws and resolutions committee meetings, when convened to consider proposed bylaws amendments and resolutions submitted for consideration by the general assembly (GA); 
•    Nomination committee meetings convened in advance of the GA for purposes of reviewing candidates for agency officer positions and providing nominations to the RC; 
•    The annual regional conference and GA meeting; and 
•    Other meetings and events related to the governing bodies as requested by the chief counsel or designee.
2. Current governing bodies schedule:
•    The RC meets on the first Thursday of the month from 11:45 a.m. To 1:45 p.m.
•    The EAC meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 3:00 p.m. To 4:00 p.m. 
•    The bylaws and resolutions committee meets one time in March on an as-needed basis. 
•    The nomination committee meets one time in March. 
•    The policy committees meet on the first Thursday of the month from 9:30 a.m. Until 11:15 a.m. 
•    The regional conference and GA meet annually on the first Thursday in May. 
•    Additional committee meetings and special sessions may be scheduled throughout the year.
3. The board counsel shall be expected to:
•    Presence and participation: attend meetings in person, including closed sessions, and provide real-time legal advice to the governing bodies and presiding officer on procedural, parliamentary, and substantive legal matters. 
•    Legal compliance and procedure: advise the governing bodies and presiding officer to support compliance with brown act, parliamentary procedures, and other applicable laws and regulations. 
•    Provide immediate legal guidance on agenda management, motions, voting, conflicts of interest, and public participation issues. 
•    Closed session support: prepare, review, and advise on closed session matters, including personnel and litigation, in coordination with agency chief counsel. 
•    Provide guidance on permissible topics, confidentiality, and post-session reporting requirements. 
•    Availability during meetings: be available for consultation by the presiding officer, chief counsel, or executive director during meetings, including during public comments or unexpected agenda items, to provide immediate legal or procedural guidance as needed. 
•    Pre-meeting preparation: coordinate with the chief counsel, executive director, and clerk of the board to identify and address any legal or procedural issues prior to the meeting. 
•    When requested by the chief counsel or designee, where specific legal or procedural issues have been identified, review agendas, staff reports, resolutions, or related materials for legal sufficiency. 
•    Post-meeting follow-up: as requested, review and approve meeting minutes as to form, assist in drafting resolutions or follow-up documents reflecting board actions.
4. Legal advice and consultation
•    Develop and maintain subject-matter expertise in agency bylaws and regional council policy manual, including historical amendments, governance practices, and procedural requirements. 
•    Board counsel shall be prepared to advise on the interpretation, application, and amendment of these governing documents. 
•    Provide legal advice, consultation, and opinions to members of the governing bodies and staff on matters relating to the governing bodies business, including brown act, parliamentary, or other legal matters excluding litigation matters handled by the legal department unless otherwise requested by the chief counsel.