The Shoreline City Council voted 6-1 to hire outside counsel for its defense in the lawsuit being brought by Ronald Wastewater District, et al. The vote came within 3 minutes of returning to their July 22 business meeting following a 30 minute executive session, which was closed to the public It was quite apparent each councilmember had made up their minds (Councilmember McConnell reading a pre-written motion, which received no modification) prior to resuming the business meeting. Why councilmembers chose to express their opinion that the lawsuit is "frivolous," but not justify why a frivolous lawsuit would nevertheless necessitate the hiring of outside counsel is a mystery. Had the Council accepted Ronald's invitation to discuss their grievances, and had the Council itself not jumped the gun in calling a May 22 special meeting to consider initiating immediate litigation against the District, perhaps this lawsuit could have been avoided altogether.