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M:\MasterFiles\1999 thru 2010\2001\City Council\Work Session Packets\02-05-2001 W. S\Item 04--Legal Services--Kathleen Miller.doc • The City shall compensate firm $135 per hour for all costs, which are passed through to the developer or applicant. Recent Experience: Upon review of the City’s legal arrangement the Department Directors discussed this issue at its December 5, 2000 meeting. Without exception frustrations with the current situation were expressed. Specifically, the time it took for the City Attorney to return phone calls, the lack of accessibility of City Attorney, frustration in dealing with two different attorneys on staff and then having to wait for the City Attorney to coordinate the response, the cost, and the confusion with what is and is not included in the retainer were all mentioned. Since that time Scott Riggs has been our primary contact and many of these issues have been resolved. However confusion with what is included in the retainer and concern with costs continue to provide concern. Comparative Information: In comparing our hourly rate with other communities I found that the dollar figure may vary slightly, but not significantly, yet costs are considerably higher. Mounds View $3,000/month retainer $120/hour--other $135/hour billed to third party Blaine $2,500/month retainer (everything but litigation) $95/hour Shoreview $1,250/month retainer (meetings) $90/hour (City related business) $110/hour--other Falcon Heights $110/hour $90 to $179/hour billed to third party I have attached a copy of the State Auditor’s comparison of Minnesota Cities costs for legal services for the year 1999. The City of Mounds View spent $356,561, three times more than the Cities of Blaine or Roseville. Staff would like to believe that the year 1999 was an anomaly, however 2000 Mounds View financial records indicate that the City spent $274,701 (attached for your review). Options: A number of options are available to the City for the provision of legal services, including: • Hire an in-house attorney. • Send out Request for Proposals for legal services. • Renegotiate the terms of the agreement with Kennedy and Graven and appoint Scott Riggs City Attorney.