Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/07/2013

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Couri & Ruppe Legal Services Proposal March 28, 2013 Page 9 of 13 appreciate the fact that our broader mission is to ultimately help the City Council and City Staff serve the public. Monthly Reporting & Computer Resources We propose providing the City Council with a written monthly report for the Council agenda packet detailing the significant issues that we have worked on for the City. The monthly report serves to update the Council on the progress of legal matters and allows the Council a chance to inquire further on those matters of greatest interest to them. We have found this method of reporting to be very useful to the City Council and City Staff. All computers in our office are networked and connected to high -speed internet. Our attorneys use and are proficient on Microsoft Word. In addition, Mr. Couri is proficient in Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint. The vast majority of our work is transmitted to our clients via email. Mr. Couri has moved to a "paperless" office system and now keeps all his clients' files electronically. In addition, his main computer is a laptop, which he uses at all City Council and Staff meetings. This ensures that Mr. Couri has access to all of his files at any time, which in turn allows Mr. Couri to make requested changes to documents in real time at City Council or City Staff meetings, and allows those present at the meeting to collaborate in modifying the document as needed. Often times the revised document from a meeting will be in the City Administrator's email before the meeting ends. Our clients have found this nearly instant response time to be refreshing and very productive for City Staff. Mr. Couri is familiar with the LaserFiche document system, having used it at the City of Albertville over the past several years. Clients /Conflicts of Interest Couri & Ruppe currently represents the City of Nowthen. While Mr. Ruppe is the attorney assigned to the City of Nowthen, approximately five years ago Mr. Couri assisted the City of Nowthen in drafting the Joint Powers Fire Protection Agreement between Burns Township (Nowthen's predecessor prior to incorporation in 2008) and the City of Ramsey. In drafting that contract, Mr. Couri worked very closely with Ramsey's Fire Chief, Dean Kapler. This joint powers agreement is the only issue that we believe can possibly give rise to a conflict of interest in the future, as it is the only standing agreement between Nowthen and Ramsey that we are aware of. We do not represent any other municipal governments that have any dealings with the City of Ramsey.