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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 10169 - 2025/11/24RESOLUTION 10169 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA APPROVING AN AMENDED AGREEMENT WITH H/J LAW FIRM TO PROVIDE PROSECUTORIAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the City Council of Mounds View previously approved an agreement in 2017 with H/J Law Firm to provide prosecutorial services on behalf of the Mounds View Police Department; and WHEREAS, H/J Law Firm continues to satisfy all criteria necessary to serve as the prosecutorial representative for the City with their quality and professionalism; and WHEREAS, City staff recommends an amendment to the agreement to reflect updated compensation, as the original terms have remained unchanged since 2017; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Mounds View that the amended agreement with H/J Law Firm for prosecutorial services is hereby approved, effective January 1, 2026, an annual rate as shown in Exhibit A. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Administrator are hereby authorized to execute the amended agreement on behalf of the City. Adopted this 24th day of November, 2025. ATTEST: Nyle mund i inistrator (SEAL': EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT FOR PROSECUTION SERVICES BETWEEN CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW AND HIJ LAW This agreement effective January 1, 2026, by and between the City of Mounds View, 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112 (City), and HIJ Law, 1400 Van Buren Street NE, Suite 200, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413 (Prosecutor): WHEREAS, the City needs an attorney licensed to practice law in Minnesota to advise and represent City in municipal prosecutions; and WHEREAS, the attorneys employed by the Prosecutor are licensed to practice law in Minnesota and are experienced in and familiar with all phases of municipal prosecution and desire to provide the prosecution services required by the City; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto want to enter into a written agreement to set forth the terms, conditions, compensation, duties, responsibilities and other matters relating to the Prosecutor providing services to the City. NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the City and the Prosecutor that the City does hereby retain and designate the Prosecutor as the Mounds View City Prosecutor, effective January 1, 2026, and the Prosecutor does hereby accept the position of Mounds View City Prosecutor and agrees to perform the requirements of that position, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. A. Services. 1. The Prosecutor hereby agrees to perform and furnish these legal services to the City: a. Appearing at all required court hearings, including arraignments, pretrial and omnibus hearings, court trials, jury trials, sentencing hearings, probation violation hearings, and other appearances for non -felony cases; b. Assembling all required case files and providing timely discovery to criminal defense attorneys and/or defendants; c. Representing the City in appeals arising from non -felony prosecutions; d. Charging non -felony cases; e. Prosecuting forfeitures related to non -felony cases; f. Prosecuting all City ordinance violations; g. Working collaboratively with Tubman Family Alliance's domestic abuse victim advocates; h. Advising the City Council and staff on ordinance drafting, code enforcement, and related matters; i. Police training on a mutually -agreed upon basis with the Police Department; j. Consulting with and advising Police Department command staff, investigators, patrol officers, and administrative staff on all matters relating to non -felony prosecutions. This includes being available by telephone to consult with officers after business hours and on the weekends, as needed; k. Attending all necessary meetings with City and Police Department staff, 1. Making reports, as requested, to the City Council regarding non -felony prosecutions; m. Speaking at City -related functions on criminal law -related topics; and n. Complete any other duties and responsibilities necessary to effectively prosecute the City's criminal, traffic, and ordinance violations. B. Fees and Costs. 1. For all prosecution services, the City shall pay the Prosecutor a monthly retainer fee of $6,500.00, subject to an annual limit of $78,000.00, plus out-of-pocket expenses. 2. Monthly bills will identify and itemize any out-of-pocket expense, e.g., certified document or witness subpoena fee. C. Conflicts of Interest. 1. The Prosecutor will not represent any clients in legal actions involving Mounds View or with interests adverse to those of Mounds View, including any units of government having jurisdiction within or contiguous to Mounds View. 2. In the event that conflicts of interest arise in particular cases, e.g., City employees charged with offenses in Mounds View, the Prosecutor agrees to refer those matters at the City's expense to outside counsel for prosecution. D. Insurance. 1. The Prosecutor will maintain malpractice insurance coverage for all attorneys providing prosecution services to the City. -2- E. Term of Contract - Termination. This contract between the City and the Prosecutor shall continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2026, unless amended in writing by the mutual agreement of the parties hereto or terminated in accordance with the conditions hereinafter contained. 2. If the parties do not amend or terminate this contract as provided herein, it will continue in full force and effect from year-to-year thereafter. The City has the right to evaluate and terminate this contract at any time, with advance notice to the Prosecutor. 4. The City may terminate this contract without advance notice in the event the Prosecutor is guilty of malfeasance, nonfeasance, or misfeasance in office; has its right to practice law in Minnesota suspended or disbarred; or is found guilty of a felony. The Prosecutor may terminate this contract without advance notice in the event performance becomes impossible due to physical or mental impairment or because continued performance of the contract would be contrary to law. Executed this 241h day of November, 2025, HIJ K� ruri I�.( oseph Attorney �� Law am CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW Andstrom ayor Nyle rnund City Adminis rator