Mayor Tim Matthes announced to the council during the Sept. 16 work study session that he has contacted a law firm and attorney to provide legal services for the city, less than a week after he asked for Greg Jacoby’s resignation.

Jacoby, who works for McGavick Graves, gave his resignation Sept. 11. He had been city attorney since 2008.

Matthes presented a copy of the engagement letters that were sent to Foster Pepper PLLC, located in Seattle, and Carol Morris, of the Morris Law PC, in Gig Harbor.

He asked the council to read both contacts before the next meeting. The council doesn’t need to approve the mayor’s action on securing interim legal services.

Matthes said he has asked Foster Pepper and Morris to provide legal services until a new city attorney is selected. He said Foster Pepper would only be used in case of a lawsuit.

“They (Foster Pepper) get a lot per hour, but this firm is worth every penny we would pay for what we need,” Matthes said.

Matthes said there is no retainer fee with Foster Pepper, but will only play if the city uses their services.

“I can assure you, we will use them very sparingly,” he said.

According to Foster Pepper’s website, municipal law has been a primary focus of the firm since 1920. The firm provides special counsel services to states, counties, cities, school districts, housing authorities, public hospital districts and other municipal entities.

Matthes said Morris will serve as the interim city attorney.

“We have worked with her through the Association of Washington Cities and on a couple of other occasions,” said Matthes.

Morris is currently serving as city attorney for Black Diamond, Pacific, Vader and Ruston. She was city attorney for Gig Harbor from 1994-2008 and assistant city attorney for Kent from 1990-94.

Morris has more 20 years of experience as a city attorney or special legal counsel in more than 35 Washington cities.

She has handled land use lawsuits for cities throughout Washington and the Association of Washington Cities Risk Management Services Agency for almost 20 years.

Her litigation experience involves administrative appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Board, the Shoreline Hearings Board, Pollution Control Board, as well as damage litigation before the Washington and federal courts, according to her website.

“She definitely has qualities we need as interim,” Matthes said.

Matthes told the council he could present a proposal in the search for the next city attorney at the Sept. 23 meeting.

City Treasurer Allan Martin said the city was paying McGavick Graves $8,000 a month for up to 48 hours of work.