Rehoboth Beach names Alex Burns new city solicitor

After nearly two decades with Rehoboth Beach, attorney Glenn Mandalas is leaving his post as city solicitor.

Mandalas, who had been with the city since 2006, announced Nov. 6 he was stepping down. He took over as managing partner at his law firm this past summer and the responsibilities have become too great, he said. At a commissioners workshop Nov. 6, he said he would continue to work for the city as long as it took them to find his replacement, but he also strongly recommended Alex Burns, a junior attorney at his law firm.

City commissioners discussed the recommendation in an executive session after the workshop. When they came out, they voted unanimously in favor of hiring Burns as the new city solicitor. He isn’t a new face to city officials, as he has been shadowing Mandalas at city meetings for more than a year and has been working with staff to draft multiple ordinances in that time.

Commissioners feel that continuity is important at this time, said Mayor Stan Mills in response to being asked why the city didn’t go through a formal hiring process.

Mandalas has also represented Lewes for years. Months ago, Lewes officials decided to conduct a full-fledged search for a new attorney.

Burns is the second straight attorney hired by the city who had previous connection to the city. In early 2022, the city hired attorney Luke Mette to represent the planning commission. Mette had represented the citizen appellants during an appeal hearing related to the Clear Space Theatre Company project that had been proposed for Rehoboth Avenue.

Burns is a college friend of Interim City Manager Evan Miller. According to Mills, Miller had no involvement in the decision-making regarding the hiring of Burns. As prescribed by the city charter, the decision was made by the mayor and commissioners, he said.

Burns will be making $260 an hour for services, which is what Mandalas was making.

The city declined to comment if the timing of Mandalas’ departure had anything to do with the ongoing delays in the new Rehoboth Beach Patrol project. Some of the delays in the project are related to the city not being properly advised about the city charter and state code requirements.

Former city manager hired as consultant

Commissioners also voted unanimously in favor of hiring former City Manager Laurence Christian as a consultant.

Taking over as city manager in January, Christian worked 10 months. His last day as city manager was Nov. 3. Similar to when Christian’s immediate predecessor Sharon Lynn left, city commissioners have appointed Miller as interim city manager.

Commissioner Patrick Gossett, who oversaw the hiring of Christian and is overseeing the hiring of his replacement, said Christian has been retained to help ensure the city keeps moving forward on key initiatives, which have not yet been specified. Among the projects he may work on are developing human resources policies, updating the employee handbook and developing a comprehensive schedule of city fees, he said.

“Evan will have his hands full with the day-to-day operation of the city and development of the upcoming FY25 budget,” said Gossett.

Christian will be getting paid $120 an hour for his consulting services, which continue until 60 days after a new city manager is on board, said Gossett. The city isn’t certain how many hours a week he will be working, and the city may terminate the agreement at any time, he said.

Christian stopped receiving an annual salary from the city Nov. 2, and because he did not serve as city manager for a full 12 months, he did not receive the full $160,000 annual salary, said Gossett. He received a prorated salary for the time he held the position, he said.

As for Christian’s replacement, commissioners are using executive search firm Raftelis, which is the same company used to hire Christian. Gossett said the firm is providing its services this time at no cost because Christian was with the city less than a year, which was stipulated in the contract when the city was looking to replace Lynn.

At this time, the city does not have any interviews scheduled, said Gossett. The city’s hope is to hire someone as soon as possible, but it definitely won’t happen before the new year, he said.