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Special City Council Minutes - 07/31/03 Page 6 Acting Mayor Kough expressed his difficult position to determine whether the matter was handled properly; the legality of the former Ethics Commission and the former City Attorney's defense of that Commission on behalf of the City; and the position the entire process had put the mayor in with no legal assistance without hiring his own personal attorney. Mr. Anderson respectfully disagreed with Acting Mayor Kough opining that individuals normally hired their own attorneys and that the City Attorney represents the City and Council as a whole, not necessarily individual Councilmembers in civil or criminal action; and cautioned focus on this aspect, opining that it was not relevant to tonight's discussion. Acting Mayor Kough again expressed his concern in making the right decision and how he could remain disinterested; and questioned how the Council determined and interpreted "reasonable" legal fees. Mr. Anderson responded that the Council should seek the expertise of their City Attorney; given that criminal and civil defense attorneys had standards for normal and customer billing ranges. Mr. Anderson reiterated his definition of "disinterest" in order to alleviate concerns that a Councilmember needed to disqualify himself for perceived interest in a matter. Mr. Anderson reviewed the interpretations for discerning authority of the governing body; opining that every decision before the Council was of some interest to them, as they considered the best of the City and its constituents, but that the law specified interest in a pecuniary nature to further define the responsibilities of the governing body. Mr. Anderson further opined that every legislator was allowed the privilege to keep confidential their rationale for voting to themselves. Acting Mayor Kough questioned City Attorney Anderson