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Item No: 08A <br />MOLrNnSViEw <br />ty or Mounds View Staff Report <br />Meeting Date: November 24, 2025 <br />Type of Business: Council Business <br />Administrator Review: <br />To: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From: Ben Zender, Chief of Police <br />Item Title/Subject: Resolution 10169, Approving the H/J Law Firm to Provide <br />Prosecutorial Services for the City of Mounds View Police <br />Department <br />Background <br />The City of Mounds View entered into an agreement with H/J Law Firm in 2017 to <br />provide prosecutorial services for the Mounds View Police Department. Since the initial <br />approval, the agreement has remained unchanged. Staff has reviewed the terms and <br />believes that a rate adjustment is appropriate at this time to reflect the continued value <br />and scope of services provided. <br />Discussion <br />In 2017, a selection panel consisting of the City Administrator, Chief of Police, and a <br />Police Investigator was convened to evaluate prosecutorial service proposals. After a <br />thorough review, H/J Law Firm was selected based on key criteria including <br />professional experience, training, service quality, and overall value to the City. <br />The original agreement was approved at an annual rate of $73,500. Despite consistent <br />service and performance, the contract has not been adjusted since its inception. Staff has <br />determined that an increase is warranted to ensure fair compensation and continued <br />partnership. For all prosecution services, the City shall pay H/J Law a monthly retainer <br />fee of $6,500.00, subject to an annual limit of $78,000.00, plus out-of-pocket expenses. <br />In addition, monthly bills will identify and itemize any out-of-pocket expense, e.g., certified <br />document or witness subpoena fee. <br />The agreement will continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2026, unless <br />amended in writing by a mutual agreement of both the City and H/J Law. If the parties do <br />not amend or terminate the agreement, it will continue in full force and effect thereafter <br />from year-to-year. <br />Recommendation <br />Staff recommends approval of Resolution 10169 approving an agreement with H/J Law <br />Firm to continue providing prosecutorial services to the Mounds View Police <br />Department as shown in Exhibit A. <br />Ben Zender <br />Chief of Police <br />