Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/07/2013

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Couri & Ruppe Legal Services Proposal March 28, 2013 Page 6 of 13 establishing the fire depat ltnent. We also assisted these five communities in the adoption of necessary bylaws for the fire department, the establishment of a fire relief association, and the acquisition and financing of the fire hall and all equipment used by the fire department. o Assisted the City of St. Augusta with the six -city joint sanitary sewer plant expansion and operating agreement governing the St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Plant. o Since 2006, advised the Blomkest -Svea Sewer Board that jointly provides sewer service to its members. o Worked with cities in crafting agreements providing for cross- border sewer and water service. • Eminent Domain /Condemnation — Mr. Couri has worked on numerous eminent domain cases including winning the following: o Securing a court verdict for the City of Albertville in an eminent domain case in the amount of $65,000, where the property owner sought damages in excess of $500,000. o Securing a Condemnation Commissioners' verdict for the City of Albertville in an eminent domain case in the amount of $13,295 where the property owner sought damages in the amount of $168,000. o Securing a Court decision authorizing the City of South Haven to acquire property via eminent domain for a wastewater treatment plant and successfully defending that decision at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Proposed Attorney Team Couri & Ruppe proposes to have Michael Couri serve as the Ramsey City Attorney with Robert Ruppe assisting as needed. Mr. Couri would attend City Council meetings and staff meetings as requested, and would communicate directly with City Staff and the City Council members. Mr. Couri and Mr. Ruppe will be responsible for all legal work performed for the City, and will address all phone calls and written inquiries from the City. As the "lead attorney ", Mr. Couri will be the primary contact for the City Council and City Staff. Mr. Ruppe will assist on a project -by- project basis as necessary, and will be available to City Staff in Mr. Couri's absence. This "team approach" has worked well for our municipal clients in that it provides the client with two knowledgeable attorney contacts who can answer questions or provide advice in response to client phone calls or inquires.