City of Winnipeg's top lawyer resigns

City solicitor KristaBoryskavich has resigned, leaving a hole at top of Winnipeg's legal department.

Amemo to councillors and staff today says, "Over the next month, Krista will focus on closing off and transferring files to our City's legal team and the Deputy City Solicitor."

Boryskavichwill leave on Aug.2.

The departure means the city issearching for both a new chiefadministrative officer and head of its legal department.

The memo says the city's deputy solicitor,Harold Dick, will act as city solicitor until a replacement is found.

The resignation leaves the city's legal team without a leader at a time when there are several complicated cases in the court system or requiring negotiation.

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Boryskavichis also leaving the city just a day before city council will vote for a $600,000 increase to the legaldepartment's budget to hire outside counsel for ongoing litigation.

Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood Coun. Kevin Klein wanted to know why the city isn't providing an explanation for thesolicitor's resignation.

"We seem to have a lot of issues going on at the city legally, so why? Why is this happening?" asked Klein, referring to legal challengesaroundimpact fees and the Parker Landsdispute, among others.

Meanwhile, anational search is ongoing to replace Winnipeg chief administrative officer Doug McNeilafter heretired last springas the city's top bureaucrat.

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