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Charter Commission March 30, 2017 Page 2 46 someone that would serve as the City Attorney rather than an attorney assisting the Charter 47 Commission. She explained that the potential attorney was requesting $5,000 and would keep 48 any unused funds. She stated that she responded to the potential attorney explaining that because 49 this is taxpayer money they would need any unused funds returned. She stated that the potential 50 attorney did agree to the amount of $1,500 but the agreement did not specify that amount. She 51 noted that she also stated that she was not sure that the Commission would agree to a retainer. 52 She noted that she also told the potential attorney that in the past previous legal representation or 53 potential legal representation have come to a Charter Commission meeting to answer any 54 questions the Commission may have at no charge. She stated that she thought that the potential 55 attorney was going to attend the meeting tonight but noted that she was unable to confirm the 56 meeting. She stated that she did forward the potential ward amendment along with the language 57 and comments from the City Attorney to the potential attorney. She stated that if the 58 Commission desires she could go to the potential attorney's office in the next few days to obtain 59 an amended agreement. She stated that she would provide the agreement to the Charter 60 Commission members via email to review and if there are no concerns identified she would then 61 execute the agreement on behalf of the Commission as previously approved at the last meeting. 62 63 B. Potential Ward Amendment 64 Commissioner Johnson asked if the intent is to get the ward amendment on the ballot this year. 65 66 Chair Dahl noted that she is unsure of the timing for the potential ward amendment. She stated 67 that the Commission previously discussed that timing and had decided that even if the ward 68 amendment is not prepared in time for the election this year, the Commission could continue to 69 work on the language to ensure that it is ready for the next election. She stated that the timing 70 would depend upon the comments from the potential attorney. She noted that the Commission 71 could hold extra meetings in addition to the regular meetings. 72 73 Commissioner Stranik stated that in a process of negotiation you must identify the items that you 74 must have and the items that you are willing to compromise on. He stated that he did not feel 75 that the comments from the City Attorney were out of line and noted that he could agree to those 76 changes to the language for the ward amendment. He stated that in his opinion the best course of 77 action would be to amend the ward amendment language with the changes recommended by the 78 City Attorney in order to move that item forward and begin working on other items. He stated 79 that this is not the ward Commission and the Commission should choose their battles. 80 81 Chair Dahl used the City of Minneapolis as an example in regard to how the boundaries are 82 determined. She stated that in her opinion the Commission should hire out a third parry to draw 83 the boundaries. 84 85 Commissioner Lyden stated that if the process was pure, meaning that both the Commission and 86 City Council were not involved in drawing the boundaries, he would think that is the best course 87 of action. He stated that if the potential attorney states that it is acceptable for the Council to set 88 the boundaries he would also be in agreement with Commissioner Stranik to just accept the 89 comments of the City Attorney and move the item forward and move on. 90 2