SAN FERNANDO : 3 Council Members Name City Attorney

Although two City Council members refused to participate in the candidate search and review process that led to his hiring, C. Edward Dilkes of the Los Angeles law firm Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin has been appointed San Fernando’s city attorney.

Dilkes, 52, of Hollywood, has represented about a dozen municipalities during his 20-year legal career. He replaces interim legal counsel Julia Sylva, of Ochoa & Sillas, who was fired by a 3-2 council vote in November.

Sylva was fired because of a “general lack of compatibility” with members of the council, among other reasons, according to Councilman Doude Wysbeek and Mayor Raymond Ojeda, who voted with Councilwoman Joanne Baltierrez to fire Sylva.

Ojeda also claims that Sylva overbilled the city for her legal services. He said the city is considering what course to take to recover the amount he says was overbilled.

“There were a lot of discrepancies with the billing,” Ojeda said. “We cleared some things up, but there are other things we’re checking into.” Ojeda declined to estimate the amount the city was overbilled.

Sylva has denied any allegation of impropriety.

Council members Raul Godinez and Rosa Chacon declined to participate in the two-month search for a new city attorney, Ojeda said. Godinez and Chacon opposed firing Sylva, who had represented the city since July, 1993.

Chacon confirmed Wednesday that she and Godinez did not participate in Dilkes’ selection, but refused further comment. Godinez is on vacation and could not be reached.

Because the two council members declined to participate in the review process, city department heads--including Police Chief Dominick Rivetti, City Administrator Mary Strenn and Public Works Director Mike Drake--reviewed the 29 applications the city received for the position.

“We were looking for somebody who was very experienced in dealing with cities,” Ojeda said. “We’re very happy with our choice.”

Dilkes presently represents several city governments, including Alhambra and Bradbury in the San Gabriel Valley. His law firm represents Pomona and South Gate.

Dilkes said Wednesday that he views his new assignment as a challenge because of “the complexity” of San Fernando’s government.

“It’s really a very unique community in terms of its location, and because it has so many divisions,” Dilkes said. “There is a Parking Authority, a Redevelopment Agency, an active and well-run Police Department. There is a lot of work related to earthquake recovery. I have a lot of learning to do. I’ll have to become familiar with issues concerning the (former San Fernando Community) hospital and other things.”

Dilkes is no stranger to the kind of intrigue or political infighting that the city of San Fernando has been prone to over the years. Bradbury’s former city manager, Aurora (Dolly) Vollaire, was charged a year ago with spending more than $80,000 in public funds on personal items, including fine china and sunglasses. A subsequent recall effort ousted the mayor and a council member.

Dilkes was removed from representing the city in the civil suit filed against Vollaire, who claimed that Dilkes had knowledge of Vollaire’s spending practices.