Daily Sitka Sentinel

City Attorney Search Centers on Hanson

By SHANNON HAUGLAND

Sentinel Staff Writer

The Assembly held a special meeting Wednesday and selected Sitka attorney Brian Hanson for a follow-up interview for city attorney.

The meeting was called after Colorado attorney Carey Gagnon, the only candidate selected for an on-site visit after Skype interviews with five applicants on Saturday, withdrew from consideration.

The interview with Hanson is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Sealing Cover Business Center.

Hanson is currently the only finalist, but none of the other 13 candidates for the job has been eliminated from consideration, city officials said.

Human Resources Director Mark Danielson, legal assistant Reuben Yerkes, Administrator Mark Gorman and Clerk Sara Peterson took part in the 20-minute executive session that preceded the unanimous vote to invite Hanson for a follow-up job interview.

The vote was 5-2 to go into closed-door discussions, with Matthew Hunter, Ben Miyasato, Bob Potrzuski, Tristan Guevin and Mayor Mim MConnell voting in favor, and Aaron Swanson and Steven Eisenbeisz voting against. Guevin, who is in Juneau, took part via teleconference.

After the executive session the Assembly voted unanimously to call Hanson for the interview.

Besides Gagnon’s decision to withdraw, the Assembly also was taking into consideration Hanson’s new offer to work as a full-time city attorney. Hanson, who has a private law practice in Sitka, said in his original application that he was interested in taking the city attorney position as a part-time contractor.

Assembly members who spoke to the Sentinel today said Hanson was already a strong candidate, and that his decision to apply for a full-time post at city hall put him back on top. 

Hanson has been the acting municipal attorney since the departure of Robin Schmid on May 5.

“He’s been an attorney in Sitka a long time and has had a successful practice here,” McConnell said today. “He seems to be well-respected in the community. I like that he was interested in full-time. That makes it more workable for me. I think we need someone full-time in that position. Since he’s been working as an attorney for the city I think he’s capable of doing the job well. I’ve been pleased with the work he’s done so far.”

Eisenbeisz also pointed to Hanson’s 30 years of experience in Sitka, and his willingness to work full-time, as reasons he voted in favor of a follow-up interview.

“I believe his 30 years of experience would be a great skill set for the city – he’s the most dedicated local person and a valued member for the community in other aspects,” Eisenbeisz said. “We know Sitka is a good fit for him. I still have a number of questions and I’m not 100 percent that this is the person I want to hire yet.”

He said Hanson’s decision to apply as a full-time city attorney made a big difference in the strength of his application.

“I was not going to go further with his application when it was part time,” Eisenbeisz said. “I need a full-time person. Mr. Hanson has indicated in an email he’s willing to (serve) in a full-time role – that’s once again put him in the forefront.”

“For me that’s a crucial piece of hiring a city attorney,” said Hunter. “I want someone whose loyalties are clearly with the city. There are also fewer distractions if someone is working part-time for the city and part-time elsewhere.”

Hunter said he believes it’s important that the attorney be available when needed by city staff.

“All departments use legal services at some point, it’s important we don’t hold up work,” he said.

Swanson said he liked the fact that Hanson is local, and had good answers to questions in the Skype interview. The decision for Hanson to work full-time “made a big difference to me.”

Miyasato said, “(Hanson) is local, he’s knowledgeable, he’s very sharp.”

The Assembly’s interviews with city attorney candidates are open to the public.