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level of municipal legal work to cities and all of their clients. They do not turn files or spin <br />wheels and are acutely aware of financial difficulties faced by all municipal clients. Mr. Langel <br />stated they are efficient and can come to agreement with a retainer at a place comfortable in the <br />City's budget. He asked what is the Council's number one aspect in a City Attorney. <br />Councilmember Backous stated he wants to hear what is needed and not what he wants to hear. <br />Mr. Langel stated some do not want that and instead want a City Attorney who is a "yes man." <br />He stated he has lost clients because of that, giving the brutal honest answer. Mr. Langel stated <br />that is key to their services and part of their firm's ethic. He stated they have a fairly narrow <br />clientele of counties, school districts, and municipalities but their services are very broad and he <br />does not think Ramsey will come up with something they have not already seen and done. Mr. <br />Langel stated they would love the opportunity to serve Ramsey, a growing community. <br />Councilmember Backous asked if it is necessary for counsel to attend all Council meetings. <br />Mr. Langel stated it is not and when he started at Lino Lakes, the City Attorney was historically <br />at the meetings but the City Administrator said they needed to address the budget so he <br />suggested that he not be required to attend the Council meetings. Mr. Langel noted that most <br />times if an issue is coming up, he works through the issue with staff before the Council meeting. <br />He stated on average, he attends the Lino Lakes three times a year. <br />Mr. Quiring stated if there is a big issue at the meeting, it would be appropriate for the City <br />Attorney to attend so it does not have to be an all or nothing. <br />Mayor Strommen asked if they wait to be asked for input. <br />Mr. Langel stated he always reviews agenda packets ahead of time and if there is an issue that <br />could be a problem, staff has probably called him already. He stated he can meet with staff <br />during office hours or during Council Work Sessions to work through the issues. Mr. Langel <br />stated he and his staff work to avoid issues popping up at a Council meeting. <br />