SANDPOINT — After failing to form a quorum last Friday, the City Council has a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m.

As of publication, the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting had not been published. The Friday, Oct. 3, meeting had two items on the agenda, the consent calendar from the Oct. 1 meeting and possible discussion of the city’s legal services.   

The Oct. 1 meeting never moved past announcements and reports from staff after all six councilors walked out over a sudden change in legal counsel.  

The walkout came Mayor Jeremy Grimm introduced William Harrington as temporary legal counsel, prompting Councilor Joels Aispuro to raise concerns about the move. He said that the city attorney is an appointed position which the council must confirm, according to Sandpoint City Code, and that they did not confirm Harrington. 

Grimm said that he brought on Harrington because the city’s contract with Fonda Jovick of Lake City Law had expired at midnight Sept. 30. Councilor Justin Dick said that he and several other councilors were only informed of the change, “mere minutes” before the meeting, which led to the walkout. 

At the Oct. 1 meeting, Grimm said the council would discuss the city’s legal services at an executive session to be held at the end of the meeting. 

Following cancellation of Friday’s meeting was cancelled, Dick said he was hopeful that the matter of legal counsel would be resolved soon, a sentiment expressed by both him and Grimm in statements made to the Daily Bee last Thursday. 

“I hope we are able to resolve this matter expeditiously and get back to city and community matters,” Dick said. “I appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we work to resolve this.”    

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 in the City Council’s chambers at City Hall.