At Large Springfield City Councilor Justin Hurst addresses city Attorney Ken Shea during a discussion on obtaining outside counsel. Hurst sought City Council approval to hire an independent lawyer to issue a legal opinion after City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti declined to issue one. He also said the City Council is entitled to its own legal counsel and has obtained it in the past and is not requesting funding from the city to do so. City Council President Tracye Whitfield also commented on the matter. The vote on whether to obtain independent counsel was narrowly split, with Hurst, Whitfield, Perez and Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan voting in favor, while Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin, Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila, Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin Edwards and At Large City Councilors Brian Santaniello and Jose Delgado voted against it.