Cedar Rapids City Council to appoint Vanessa Chavez as city attorney

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids City Council is slated to appoint Vanessa Chavez as the next city attorney.

Once appointed, Chavez — currently the Green Bay, Wis.,. city attorney — will assume the role effective Dec. 13 with a salary of $185,000.

She will succeed Jim Flitz, who retired in July after 35 years working for the city.

The nine-member council will meet at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to appoint Chavez to serve as legal counsel for Cedar Rapids and to oversee the City Attorney’s Office, which is made up of the city attorney, three assistant city attorneys and two legal assistants.

The city attorney provides full legal services to the mayor and council acting as a body, and to people or entities who may act on the city’s behalf as provided by the law — such as the city manager, department directors and city boards and commissions.

Chavez has been the Green Bay city attorney since 2016. She previously was an attorney with Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C. in Albuquerque, N.M. She earned her bachelor’s from New Mexico State University, a master’s in information studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico.

In Green Bay, Chavez worked on major redevelopment projects, including the restoration of the historic Hotel Northland, the creation of the Railyard District and redevelopment of the East Town Mall, according to a news release.

She also assisted in major infrastructure projects including the Webster Avenue reconstruction in Green Bay and several flood control projects on behalf of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority in New Mexico.

Additionally, Chavez established an intern program for the city of Green Bay's Law Department to help undergraduate and law school students gain experience.

“As our family talked to people in the community as we considered the move, we heard time and again about the resiliency and work ethic of the people of Cedar Rapids, and the way the community comes together,” Chavez said in a statement.

“These are values our family shares, which made it easy for us to choose the city of Cedar Rapids as the place where we want to work and live. I am excited to join the Cedar Rapids team and continue the important work already being done to improve the quality of life for the community where we will raise our children.”

Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart said in a statement that Chavez brings experience advising multiple cities on legal matters.

“Those experiences will serve her, and this city, well in her new role here,” Hart said.

“I would also like to acknowledge and thank Liz Jacobi for serving as our interim city attorney. We appreciate Liz and the City Attorney’s Office team for their invaluable service to City Council and the entire city organization.”

The Novak Consulting Group, which now is part of financial services consultant Raftelis, conducted a national search for this position on the council’s behalf.

Council approved an agreement on May 25 for $33,500 to provide executive search services, including development of a candidate profile, providing detailed recruitment process documents, recruitment and screening, and support for interviews and selection.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com