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MINUTES <br />City Council <br />January 6~ ~.98P <br />The next person interviewed was Mr. Jerome F'illa of Meyer, Hiniker & <br />k'i11a, Mr, F'i11a gave the Council some personal history. <br />Mr, k'illa stated that when he graduated £rom law school he worked for <br />the firm of Douglas, Bell & Donlin. At that ti.me they represented the <br />City of Shoreview. Mr. Filla handled some condemnation proceedings and <br />attended Planning Commissioxi meetings. The City of Blaine became a client <br />of this firm and Mr. Filla did some work for this city. Then the City <br />of Elk River became a client and Mr. Filla stated that he attended some <br />Town Board meetings, In 1975 the firm started to split up and Mr, Filla <br />continued as the City Attorney for Shoreview. <br />Mr. Filla stated that in 1976 he went on his own and the City of Shoreview <br />continued with him, Mr, F'il].a also commented that he likes municipal work. <br />Filla believes that municipal clients are blue chip clients. The rates <br />a lawyer might receive for this work are lower, but these clients pay <br />their bills. <br />Mr. Fllla stated that the £irm he is with now is a good firm consisting <br />o£ !~ attorneys with a good age spread. <br />Mr. Filla stated that he would do the civil work £or the City and Mr. <br />Fleming of ttxe firm would do the prosecution. The £irm currently <br />represents the City of Shoreview, the Forest Lake Aospital Board and <br />the City of' Arden Hills £or prosecution work only. Mr, Filla stated <br />that he has e~cperience working with the R,amsey County Sheriff~s <br />Department. Mr, Filla stated that he would handl.e the jury trials himself. <br />Mr. Filla stated that it is his preference to do the prosecution work on <br />an hourly basis rather than a retainer. This is the way he handles <br />prosecution for the City o£ Shoreview and City of Arden Ai11s. However~ <br />he did submit a retainer for this work to the City o£ Little Canada <br />and this is based on an estimate o£ the number of hours Mr, Filla feels <br />will be needed. <br />Mr. Fi11a stated that he has a lot of experience with acquisitions, assess- <br />ment appeals, condemnations, trials on special use permits, etc. <br />Mr. Filla stated that the client dictates how active the City Attorney will <br />be at Council meetings. Mr. Filla £elt that it would take a short while <br />to develop a rapport with the Council, Mr, Filla stated that he hoped <br />to be able to answer questions on the spot. Filla also sta{:ed that he <br />would work closely with the City~s administrative staff on items on the <br />agenda. Pilla £elt that this coul.d save the Council time. <br />Mr. Hanson asked Mr. Filla his relationship with planners. Mr. Fi11a <br />stated that he £eels a good planner can save the City time, Filla stated <br />that he pre£ered staf£ planners to consultants. <br />Mr. Fahey commented that i£ the City~s building inspector had been doing <br />his job, the City may not have needed its planner on such a regular basa.s. <br />Mr. F'illa stated that a lot of times things get too ~ar before they are <br />ready to go. Fi11a commented that developers will do as little as possible <br />and want to get their review done as soon as possible. <br />Page -5- <br />