Turlock City Council to consider appointing new city attorney
The Turlock City Council will consider appointing its new city attorney at its meeting on Tuesday.
If approved, Katie O. Lucchesi would succeed George Petrulakis, who has served in the role under a contract between the city and his Modesto-based firm, Petrulakis Law & Advocacy, since February 2021.
“I look forward to working with the city’s elected officials and staff and eventually building a City Attorney’s department that can grow and help achieve the council’s goals,” said Lucchesi in a press release. “I appreciate Mr. Petrulakis’s service and look forward to building on that work. Turlock is a community that clearly cares about its future, and I’m excited to be part of that.”
Currently the city attorney in Lodi, which she joined in December 2020, Lucchesi brings experience as a municipal adviser, including presiding over legislative meetings and training officials and staff on the Brown Act, Public Records Act, notice requirements and conflicts of interest, according to the press release.
She has also drafted ordinances, resolutions and contracts, reviewed agendas and advised agencies on land use, California Environmental Quality Act procedures, administrative enforcement and both civil and criminal litigation. She also has experience in private practice — focusing on corporate, land use and environmental law.
Petrulakis announced in September that he would step down to focus on his private practice. Rather than continue with a contract model, the city launched a recruitment process to reestablish an in-house city attorney position, intended to provide more consistent, day-to-day legal support.
“Bringing this position back in-house is about strengthening how the city functions day to day,” stated Interim City Manager Gary Hampton. “Having dedicated legal support as part of the organization will help provide consistency and accessibility as staff and council continue their work. I’m thankful for Mr. Petrulakis’ service to the City Council, staff and the community, and I look forward to the next chapter.”
During his tenure, Petrulakis helped the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, addressed encampment-related concerns, supported development projects and assisted with the legal framework for multiple road rehabilitation efforts.
“Ms. Lucchesi will be a great fit for the city of Turlock. The city has significant legal needs, which an in-house attorney is ideal in meeting,” said Petrulakis. “I’m grateful for my time here and confident the city will continue moving in the right direction.”
Lucchesi’s proposed start date is April 27, or earlier if her schedule allows. The City Council must approve both her appointment and employment agreement at the meeting. Her salary is expected to be $24,357 per month.
