The Westminster Economic Development Authority (WEDA) on Nov. 10 approved authorization for the executive director to enter an agreement with Murray Dahl, Berry, and Renald, LLP for legal services related to the downtown Westminster urban renewal project and eminent domain matters, not to exceed $150,000.

Councilor Zadeh moved the authorization and the board approved it 6–1. City Attorney Dave Frankel told the board that a contract authorized last year for $150,000 had been spent and that he believed the firm's billing rate was about $350 per hour. "Mister Murray's fees, I believe, are $350 per hour," Frankel said. The WEDA motion passed with Board member Ireland voting no.

The authorization authorizes the executive director to finalize terms and proceed with the contract up to the stated not-to-exceed amount. Staff indicated the previous authorization has been effectively expended and brought the new authorization forward to continue legal representation for downtown project matters.