National City hires new city attorney

National City is getting a new city attorney.

The City Council voted unanimously this week to hire Charles Bell Jr., who most recently worked as assistant city attorney in San Luis Obispo and deputy city attorney in San Diego.

Bell’s three-year contract includes a $190,000 annual salary, $750 monthly vehicle allowance, health benefits, paid time off and the possibility of a 3 percent pay raise after a yearly evaluation. The contract also requires Bell to live in National City.

“Bienvenido, Mr. Bell,” said Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-solis after the virtual swearing-in ceremony.

Bell has a law degree from California Western School of Law and has been practicing law for 13 years.

Bell thanked his parents, family and friends after Tuesday’s ceremony. He said he looked forward to being a part of the community and asked people to send him recommendations to local restaurants and attractions.

“I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, join in and help out any way to continue to advance the efforts to do the best for the community,” he said.

Sotelo-solis said Bell is dedicated to community service and has won multiple awards for his community involvement. In 2019, Bell won a service award from the San Diego County Bar Association, she noted.

The current city attorney, Angil Morrisjones, will stay on with Bell for a transition.

Councilman Ron Morrison publicly criticized Morris-jones, Mayor Sotelo-solis and his colleagues on the Council.

Morrison had been censured for an inappropriate social media post and thought the censuring was legally unsound. He threatened to sue the city unless the Council rescinded the censure.

“My confidence in her has become very limited, I’ll put it that way,” Morrison said during a July press conference.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Morrison said the council will rely on Bell’s “unbiased and unwavering legal opinion.”

gustavo.solis@sduniontribune.com