Q&A
Council Member Brooks-Powers Questions Nominee on Conflict Resolution and Charter Revision
0:29:06
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141 sec
Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers questions Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant on handling potential conflicts between the mayor and the council, and the mayor's intervention in the Charter Revision Commission. Goode-Trufant explains the Law Department's approach to resolving differences and comments on the legality of the mayor's actions regarding the Charter Commission.
- Goode-Trufant emphasizes continuous communication and seeking resolution in cases of differing opinions between the mayor and council.
- She mentions that alternate counsel can be provided to the City Council in certain circumstances.
- Regarding the Charter Revision Commission, Goode-Trufant notes that state law permits the mayor's actions, regardless of personal opinions on the matter.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:29:06
Thank you, and thank you for your testimony.
0:29:09
It was a pleasure meeting with you yesterday in advance of today's hearing.
0:29:14
I wanted to understand when there's a a potential conflict, and I know that speaker touched on this a little bit, and I wanted to touch on it as well.
0:29:25
When there's a potential conflict or difference of opinion on a legal matter between the mayor and the council, how would you approach the situation as the corporation council?
0:29:37
And I'm also curious on your perspective on the mayor's last minute intervention this past year in the Charter Revision Commission.
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:29:48
I'm going to, take those as as
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:29:50
2 questions.
0:29:51
Yeah.
0:29:51
That's 2 questions.
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:29:52
Yes.
0:29:52
Yes.
0:29:53
The first is that if there is a difference of opinion, between, the 2, we would, continuously communicate with both parties seeking as best we could to find a resolution.
0:30:11
If no resolution can be had, we have and will afford alternate council, as we have done in certain circumstances for city council.
0:30:25
You separately asked about the Charter Commission but I I missed a couple of words.
0:30:30
I I apologize.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:30:34
Sorry.
0:30:35
I apologize for my my beautiful raspy voice today.
0:30:41
But what is your perspective on the mayor's last minute intervention this past year in the Charter Revision Commission?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:30:51
State law, permits the mayor to, have, charter revision, commissions in that manner.
0:31:02
And so, whether one is in favor of, the particular move or not, the state law permits it, currently.
0:31:21
So, yeah.
0:31:25
Thank you for that.
0:31:26
Thank you.
