Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/07/2013

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• • • • • • CITY /CITY ATTORNEY RELATIONSHIP • Our approach to the City /Attorney relationship is one based on trust, communication, and dedication. We believe that the City Attorney's role is to provide the relevant legal information • to the City, in a way that is usable, helpful and on- point. We also believe, however, that a City • Attorney can be a valuable asset by providing keen insights to elected leaders, culled from years • of experience and continuity with a client, and a thorough understanding of the City's needs and goals. • • The City Attorney must be trustworthy, in that their advice and recommendations on a given • issue must be given confidently, timely and directly. The City Attorney must be an effective • communicator, meaning he must be able to provide information on the law in a way that is useful and accurate. The City Attorney must be dedicated and available, whether by phone, cell phone, • e -mail, or in person, so that issues are addressed and questions are answered as they arise. These • values encompass our firm's approach to the City /Attorney relationship. Our firm has operated • with these principles in mind for over forty years, and we will continue to do so going forward. • Mr. Goodrich would be the Primary Attorney assigned to the City. He would, of course, attend all City Council regular meetings, special meetings, work sessions and commission meetings as • directed by the City Administrator. In addition, he will be available to attend those staff meetings and less formal meetings with staff and citizens again as directed by the City • Administrator. Mr. Van Thomme would serve as primary City Prosecutor, and primary back -up • attorney to Mr. Goodrich. Mr. Haag would also serve as a back -up attorney to Mr. Goodrich. We would structure the working relationship between City Attorney and City Council /staff so as to make communication as efficient and transparent as possible. This would include timely • email or written responses to queries, requests or projects, but would also include daily availability (if needed) to meet in person with City representatives or staff. Relative to the • inquiry regarding standard time frames for response of the City Attorney to directions and/or inquiries from the City, our Law Firm is small enough to be personal, yet large enough to handle • all of the City's municipal needs. A direction or inquiry from the City Council (or a member of • the Council), the City Administrator, or a Department Head is generally responded to the same • day or the next workday, either by the City Attorney or one of the other attorneys. When, for • some reason, that time frame is not possible, the requesting person would be so notified by a member of our staff and informed when a response will be received. In addition, firm deadlines • for projects are and will continue to be strictly complied with. Of course, some projects, like the • prosecution of a criminal case for instance, have a mechanism of their own that ensures timely • completion. Others, such as a legal opinion on a zoning ordinance, may operate at it's own pace, with input as to the particular needs of the project from various parties, but ultimately should be • dictated by the City Council or Administrator • The timeline for completion of more time intensive assignments is discussed with the requesting • person to reach a mutually agreeable completion date. By having three competent, experienced municipal attorneys on staff, there is greater assurance that projects will be completed in a timely • fashion. In addition, we believe that we have a monthly reporting track record of completing •