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sufficient because it would be far too easy for someone to create a package contract that calls for <br />brokerage and other services. HRA Attorney Bray stated he disagrees with the Landform <br />attorney on that point. The second point the Landform attorney seeks to make is that there is <br />distinguish between soliciting development proposals and purchasers of land. He advised that <br />the definition of brokerage services under Minnesota law is very broad, indicating any <br />negotiation for sale of land, and these development proposals do involve the sale of land. HRA <br />Attorney Bray felt it was fair to say the services Landform provided under the Purchase of <br />Services Agreement exceeded brokerage services but a component was a brokerage service. <br />There is no case law directly on point, but he does not see that argument as being persuasive to a <br />court. <br />HRA Attorney Bray stated the third argument by Landform's attorney is that the Purchase of <br />Services Agreement contemplated a team approach including members of the HRA and City <br />staff and that under Minnesota law, a member of a municipality does not need a brokerage <br />license and can engage in negotiations and sales activities on behalf of HRA without violation of <br />the Statute. HRA Attorney Bray stated the question is how engaged was City staff and <br />Landform employees, in particular Development Manager Lazan. <br />HRA Attorney Bray advised the Landform attorney says there is nothing wrong with the <br />incentive compensation structure, and that if someone is being compensated based on a <br />percentage of land or development cost, it may look like typical brokerage compensation but <br />there is no reason it couldn't be used to pay for non - brokerage services. HRA Attorney Bray <br />stated he thinks the ultimate question is what did Landform do and based on his impressions in <br />several transactions, Development Manager Lazan was the primary point of contact with the <br />prospective developer, possibly constituting brokerage services. <br />HRA Attorney Bray stated where he differs from the two memorandums, is to think there is an <br />open question. If you assume brokerage services were provided and Landform is not entitled to <br />recover some component of the compensation provided, the question is how do we calculate that <br />portion. The unattributed memorandum concludes the HRA should pay no compensation but he <br />believed that was too broad. The Huberty memorandum concludes the HRA should not pay any <br />incentive compensation but he believed that was also too broad. On the other hand, there is no <br />precise basis on which to advise the HRA what portion is fairly contributed to the brokerage <br />services that Landform should not be entitled to recover. <br />HRA Attorney Bray explained that one approach is to say if the HRA had, in the beginning, tried <br />to set out a compensation mechanism for brokerage service, what would it have done. Typically, <br />brokerage fees are 7% of land costs and sometimes are higher for raw land. He felt 7% was a <br />reasonable "rule of thumb" for typical compensation for brokerage services. HRA Attorney <br />Bray asked what would then be a fair part of compensation to withhold. He stated if it is <br />determined that a portion of the services Landform provided are brokerage services and not <br />entitled to recover, a question is whether the HRA can elect to pay those amounts anyway or <br />would it be violation of the law. HRA Attorney Bray advised there is not much in terms of case <br />law, noting Chapter 82 does not say you cannot have a contract with someone without a <br />brokerage license, or it is void, but says a person cannot bring action in Minnesota Court to <br />collect compensation if they do not have a required license. However, the parties could agree to <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / April 9, 2013 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br />