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LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES January 13, 2016 City of Lino Lakes Charter Commission Chair 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 Dear Lino Lakes Charter Commission, CONNECTING & INNOVATING SINCE 1913 This letter describes how the League's Charter Assistance Program performs charter review services. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 410.06, subd. 1, the charter commission may request assistance of legal counsel for charter revision and amendment. At the commission's request, the League is therefore able to provide charter review services by one of its staff attorneys. Charter review for the Lino Lakes charter commission includes review of the existing charter and recommendations for revisions. I will review the existing charter and provide viewpoint -neutral analysis and commentary in a written memorandum. I read charter provisions for conflicts with state or federal laws and court decisions. I also make recommendations to assure the charter complies with current principles of good governance, including charter fundamentals like a comprehensive grant of power, and providing for a workable, responsive organization of the city government. Additionally, I read the charter for internal consistency, brevity, clarity and mechanical errors. At the charter commission's request, I will also appear at a meeting to discuss the commentary and respond to questions. The cost of initial charter review, and attendance at one meeting if requested, is $75.00 per hour with a maximum charge of $750.00, plus any costs for mileage and overnight expenses. The League will send the bill to the Charter Commission Chair at the completion of the initial review. Any subsequent charter review or attendance at additional meetings will also be at a rate of $75.00 per hour. While I am working on behalf of the charter commission, my intent is to keep the city fully informed while in the review process. Therefore, any attorney/client relationship created between myself and the charter commission is waived with respect to the city council and the city's chief administrative officer. Additionally, I cannot begin the charter review until and unless the city is informed that the charter commission has agreed to seek review services from the League's Charter Assistance Program. The League reserves the right not to proceed with charter review upon the city's objection. The city will also receive any and all documents and reports generated from the charter review. Your city is a League member, so it is important that we have their support for any work I undertake on behalf of the Charter commission. 145 UNIVERSITY AVE. WEST ST. PAUL, MN 55103-2044 PHONE: (651) 281-1200 FAX: (651) 2814299 TOLL FREE: (800) 925-1122 WEB: WWW.LMC.ORG