Minutes - 2000/06/12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council June 12, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 18 . Interim Administrator Ulrich stated various other non-retainer issues have come in slightly over budget, m the amount of approximately $15,000, and therefore, the total amount requested for legal services for various projects and issues is $119,461.22 to be transferred from the General Reserves into the City Council and Central Services budgets. Mayor Coughlin stated the Council authorized the majority of these items at different points in time, and it was stated in most motions that these items should be paid out of funds deemed appropriate by the Finance Director. He inquired if this was item was simply a housekeeping measure to ensure that all these obligations are met in synchronization with the auditors' report. Interim Administrator Ulrich stated this was correct. He stated it was his understanding that the City could not go into deficit funding, and therefore, a transfer must be made into these accounts. Mayor Coughlin stated therefore, this was simply the Finance Director's recommendation, and the majority of these items were expenditures that were previously authorized by the Council. Council Member Marty inquired, in light of the Council's authorization, why these bills had not already been paid. Interim Administrator Ulrich indicated he could not provide a detailed answer, other than to state that staff was waiting for the Airport Legislation to be completed, which, as the Council was • aware, occurred only a week and a half earlier. Council Member Quick inquired if staff had just received these billings. Council Member Marty inquired if staff had not received any bills prior to this time. Mayor Coughlin stated no. He explained that these amounts represented somewhat of a running total, and he had recently discussed this with Jim Strummond at the Airport reception. Council Member Marty stated Eller Media has agreed to pay $5,000, however, the legal bills exceed $20,000. He inquired if there was any possible means to collect the remaining amount from Eller Media. Mayor Coughlin stated City Attorney Long, Interim Administrator Ulrich and he were present at the meeting during which these negotiations with Eller Media took place. He advised that the Golf Course and Finance Directors negotiated an extremely good compensation package with Eller Media. He explained that the City is responsible for a portion of these legal fees, however, Eller Media has agreed to pay the City an additional several hundred thousand dollars. Council Member Marty thanked Mayor Coughlin for refreshing his memory in this regard. Mayor Coughlin extended praise to City Attorney Long, Finance Director Kessel, and Golf Course Superintendent Hammerschmidt for a phenomenal job in these negotiations.