Former Oakland Councilman and Port Authority attorney Danny Wan will likely be appointed Morgan Hill city attorney Wednesday night.
Wan's appointment is on the Morgan Hill City Council's consent agenda. If Wan is selected, he will begin his duties as the city's top legal advisor Nov. 3. His annual salary will be $175,000, plus benefits, including a $450 per-month car allowance.
As an Oakland city councilman from 2001 to 2005, Wan championed gay rights and the rights of other minorities. Wan has worked as an attorney for the Port of Oakland for the past four years and currently holds the position of Deputy Port Attorney, according to the authority's Web site.
After former city attorney Janet Kern resigned in May, city officials considered holding off on her replacement until after the November election. City officials wanted to delay the hire to give at least one potential new council member an opportunity to weigh in on the decision. Incumbent councilmen Mark Grzan and Larry Carr and newcomer Marilyn Librers are vying for two open seats on the council.
Councilman Greg Sellers said they opted to hire Kern's replacement for several reasons including the fact that the city saves money by having a full-time attorney as soon as possible.
Mayor Steve Tate said senior city staff had briefed Librers about the attorney candidates on Sept. 12. Tate said it was his understanding that Librers trusted the council to make the decision. An e-mail to Librers requesting comment wasn't immediately returned.
Sellers said the council is considering appointing Wan because he had "done a variety of things equivalent to what we've done here, especially in land use."
"Also, he served four years as an elected official which helps in terms of understanding of municipal law and city issues," Sellers said.
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett covers education and city issues for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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