Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/07/2013

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Also, in Jereczek v. Intermediate District 287, 1991, WL 34701 (1991), we established law allowing a public employer to restrict employee speech where it would adversely impact administrative effectiveness or employee morale. In. Dokmo v. Independent School District No. 11, 495 N.W.2d 671 (Minn. 1990), our firm established a rule of law requiring that employee termination challenges be brought directly to the Court of Appeals. Finally, in Central Lakes Education Association v. Independent School District No. 743, Sauk Centre, 411 N.W.2d 875 (Minn. Ct. App. 1987), we established new law recognizing a public employer's ability to unilaterally implement its last offer when a negotiating impasse with employees has been reached. Over the years, the firm has arbitrated scores of grievances and innumerable interest arbitrations, including essential units such as police. Firm attorneys are frequent lecturers for personnel director organizations and in- service training at the local agency level. OPEN MEETING LAW AND DATA PRACTICES ACT All attorneys regularly respond to questions and issues involving Minn. Stat. Ch. 13, the Government Data Practices Act and Ch. 13D, the Open Meeting Law. The firm has litigated many cases in this area. For example, in WDSI v. County of Steele, 672 N.W.2d 612 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003) we convinced the Court of Appeals that the Data Practices Act does not require a municipality to obtain data from a contractor when a request is made to the municipality. The firm provides regular training to municipalities and elected officials on the requirements of the Open Meeting Law and Data Practices Act. Firm attorneys have significant experience working with the Information Policy Analysis Division (IPAD) of the State Department of Administration, the State Agency that administers and renders opinions on the Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law. Our billing is typically done for actual time incurred in 1/10 hour (6 minute) increments. We propose the following rates: 2013 CITY OF RAMSEY BILLING RATES MISC. LITIGATION DEV. PAID Attorneys $145.00 $150.00 $185.00 Paralegal $ 70.00 $ 70.00 $ 85.00 Law Clerk $ 70.00 $ 70.00 $ 85.00 In the alternative, we would be happy to discuss a retainer agreement that takes into account past attorney services and expected future services, and what would be included in the basic retainer agreement. Work that is outside the typical retainer agreement would include contested case matters and those 7