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City Council Minutes February 22, 1995 Page 4 r ~. 1 1.$'7 recommended that the city authorize staff to conduct direct negotiations with three firms, rather than sending out formal requests for proposals. Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to authorize the Administrator to negotiate with any legal firm deemed appropriate for aretainer-based prosecution fee schedule. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FROM RAMSEY COUNTY FOR A DONATION TOWARD A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION EVENT This request is for a contribution toward a celebration event in honor of those citizens who participated in Ramsey County's long-range strategic planning process. The city had four representatives -two staff members (Susan Hoyt & Clem Kurhajetz) and two advisory commissioners (Jeff Alexander & Paul Martinez). Mayor Baldwin and Councilmember Gibson Talbot expressed concern with this donation, as the business community is also being solicited for donations and this might cause conflicts with the new state ethics laws. Attorney Sampson acknowledged that the ethics laws are very confusing and open to interpretation. With businesses getting involved in the contributions, the city may be crossing the line of receiving something of value from an "interested party". Mayor Baldwin noted that this request does meet the city's guidelines for donation requests. However, in light of the ethics concerns, he asked if the council would be amenable to denying the request for a flat contribution, but offer instead to pay the pro-rated cost of any volunteer attending function. The councilmembers agreed, expressing a desire to support the efforts of community volunteers. CITY INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Jacobs updated the council on the activities of the Metropolitan Radio Systems Planning group. The lower frequency radio spectrum is completely used up. There are limited high frequency spectrum bands left at 800 megahertz. The legislature is presently looking at using this limited spectrum as shared frequencies between fire, police, regional agencies, and city and county government. Councilmember Hustad noted that the Park and Recreation Commission had recommended that the public phone at Curtiss Field not be reinstalled. The public phone, in the past, appears to have encouraged inappropriate behavior. There are houses near the park that could potentially be McGruff houses, which would address the safety concern. The commission will revisit this issue in the fall.