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Mr. Schroeder stated that Claudia Dodge no longer works at the school and the School District <br />called for Ramsey's intentions to see if they should advertise to fill the position. He stated it <br />appears the City would likely be funding the program at least for a portion of next year. He added <br />that Steve Kerr said appears the School Board's direction for 1993 would be to have the basic <br />services model for Community Education Services with the opportunity to buy up to more service. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer arrived. <br /> <br />The Trailblazers Program was discussed and Mr. Schroeder stated that the hiring for that program <br />could be handled from the City. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Peterson and seconded by Councilmember Hardin to direct staff to <br />obtain printing bids for the Ramsey Resident and to check the cost for these services from the <br />Community Education Program. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Peterson, Hardin and Beyer. Voting No: None. <br /> <br />Case #2: Legal Services <br /> <br />Mrs. Helling had recently asked for a proposal for the 1992 rates for legal services from City <br />Attorney Goodrich which he has submitted in the form of a memorandum. She suggested looking <br />at three primary areas: General Legal, Prosecution and Development and Bond Counsel. She <br />added that the legal expenses year-m-date have been reduced. As of the end of August, the total <br />expenditures for legal costs are approximately $28,000 as compared to approximately $42,000 last <br />year. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich quoted statistics of revenue the City received in frees and the expenditures <br />for legal services. He stated the reason his legal fees are down are: 1) There have been less items <br />on the agenda; 2) Staff is more conscious about using Attorney time; 3) He is not dealing with <br />the Book Store personally; and 4) There hasn't been too much work to do on 153rd Avenue <br />(which will be starting soon). He explained this shows the legal fees can be controlled. If the City <br />obtains bids, they will most likely be hourly bids. He stated he is not saying the City should or <br />should not get bids, but he added his fn'm is very competitive in price. He added he is keeping his <br />hourly rate the same as 1991 rates. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer expressed surprise that this issue is on the agenda. She stated she has no <br />objection to checking what's out there as the City has to take a serious look at ways to save money. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson stated that for other fa'ms to get on-line with some of the projects could <br />"rack up" fees rather quickly. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hardin commented that saying legal services can be controlled is a good point. He <br />commended City Staff on being more conscious about Mr. Goodrich's time. He also stated he is <br />not opposed to getting bids; however, he would like the option to stay with Mr. Goodrich's firm <br />also. He doesn't want the City to get locked into something it doesn't really want. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated that staff is not "pushing" anything; this is just a follow-up of previous <br />discussions. He suggested not putting an ad for legal services bids in the Minneapolis Star and <br />Tribune, but instead contacting different fa'ms. He noted the City is happy with Mr. Goodrich's <br />finn but it makes sense to periodically look where you are at. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer stated she has a problem with the $100 legal charge back to escrow <br />accounts. <br /> <br />Budget Committee/September 10, 1991 <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br /> <br /> <br />