City Attorney Services

The City Council of the City of Capitola invites interested firms and individuals with a minimum of five (5) years of municipal law experience to submit written proposals to provide City Attorney services for the City of Capitola. As City Attorney, the selected law firm or individual will be expected to provide a wide range of legal services to the City. The City Attorney is selected by the City Council and works closely with the City Manager and other City staff.  The City is looking to establish a long-term relationship with a City Attorney through an annual contract with terms for renewal subject to an annual performance review, satisfactory negotiation of terms, and the concurrence of the full City Council.  Proposals must be received by Monday, July 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

The City of Capitola is a scenic, coastal community, located on in Santa Cruz County with a population of approximately 10,000.

Capitola is a General Law City and has operated under the Council-Manager form of government since incorporation in 1949.  Policy-making and legislative authority are vested in the governing Council, which consists of five Council Members, including the Mayor and the Vice-Mayor.  The Council is elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis. Council Members are elected to four-year staggered terms with two or three Council Members elected every two years.   Council members may serve no more than two consecutive terms.  The Council designates the Mayor and Vice Mayor for a one-year term The City Manager is responsible for carrying out the policies and ordinances of the City Council, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the government, and appointing the heads of the government’s departments. The City has 68 full time employees, plus many part time recreation employees. The City is fiscally sound and functions on an annual budget cycle.

The City of Capitola is a partial contract city, meaning that some services are provided by contract with agencies and some services are delivered by the City’s own employees. Police protection and other key services such as construction and maintenance of streets, parks and other infrastructure, planning and zoning activities, recreational activities, and cultural events, are provided by the City of Capitola.  

Other services, such as fire protection, water, sewer, and animal services are provided by other public agencies, while solid waste and recycling are provided by a private sector franchisee.

Please direct any questions to the City of Capitola City Manager, Jamie Goldstein.