City to Pay Law Firm to Assist in Point Wells Legal Strategy

The city of Shoreline has retained Seattle law firm Foster Pepper to review the city’s legal strategy regarding Point Wells, according to a city press release.

While the City feels confident that negotiating with Point Wells developer BSRE Point Wells is currently the City’s best option to protect the community’s interests, it is seeking Foster Pepper’s expertise and advice on all options.

The cost of retaining Foster Pepper is estimated to be about $25,000, according to city manager Julie Underwood.

In announcing the retention, City Attorney Ian Sievers said: “We are pleased to have Foster Pepper join us in assessing opportunities both in the negotiations we are committed to try, or further litigation if those negotiations fail to reach the City’s objectives. We will have the participation of Steve DiJulio and Richard Settle, who have are well known experts in municipal law, SEPA and GMA.  Steve successfully defended the SEPA/NEPA challenge to the Aurora Project for the city.”

DiJulio bills at $495 per hour, Settle at $510 per hour and a third attorney, Michael Schechter, bills at $325 per hour. 

It is expected the city attorney and Foster Pepper will narrow the legal issues that are important in resolving the Shoreline community’s objections to the BSRE project with input from the Council. The Council will then be briefed on the review in executive session.

As was discussed at the Sept. 6 Council study session on the City’s Letter of Intent to BSRE, the questions for review by Foster Pepper and their responses and advice will be considered attorney/client privilege and will not be released to the public.