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COUNCIL MINUTES November 13, 2017 DRAFT 2 engineering firm. He originally approached the City Administrator with the question and it was 46 confirmed that there was no conflict. There was discussion about a situation that could be perceived 47 as a conflict and Mr. Rafferty explained that he falls on the side of caution when that perception could 48 be seen. 49 50 Mayor Reinert recalled his discussion with the City Administrator and how it came to be that the city 51 attorney would be asked; he was not aware that any legal costs would be incurred. He is surprised at 52 the price but he understands that the City Administrator wanted to have that legal review. Perhaps 53 the question is why the cost is so high. Mayor Reinert also mentioned that the city council is 54 discussed going out for RFP for legal services. 55 56 Council Member Kusterman suggested it was a blaming situation; he suggests that all council 57 members should have been consulted in this case. 58 59 Council Member Manthey concurred that the matter was one for the entire council to review. He 60 feels that the council having transparency is highly important. He believes that the council has 61 discussed perceptions of possible conflict for its members in the past so an experienced member of 62 the council would have already known the answer. 63 64 Mayor Reinert suggested this is a case of sour grapes based on election results. He had a 65 conversation with the administrator and Mr. Karlson chose to approach the city attorney for an 66 opinion. It was not a created situation for political gain. 67 68 Council Member Manthey noted that the matter of paying the bill is on the agenda for council 69 approval tonight; the council as a whole is expected to make that decision. 70 71 Mayor Reinert asked if the council would like to add discussion of a policy on legal opinions and the 72 city administrator to the next work session agenda. The council concurred. 73 74 Council Member Kusterman added that the RFP process for city attorney was initiated after the 75 opinion was received. 76 77 Council Member Maher asked the City Administrator if he would normally contact the city attorney 78 without a clear council direction to do so. 79 80 Administrator Karlson said he would normally contact the city attorney on matters that he feels 81 requires that course and it is not always with council direction; he noted that other city staff has the 82 ability to do the same. 83 84 Mayor Reinert reviewed the general process of seeking RFPs. He also recalled a discussion with the 85 city’s contracted engineering firm and his quest for an opinion on a good timeline for RFP – how 86 often should the city seek them. He read an email from that firm’s representative responding to the 87 question. 88 89 Council Member Manthey asked if that communication came after the candidate of that firm filed for 90