Agenda - Council Work Session - 06/04/2013

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CC Work Session Meeting Date: 06/04/2013 By: Jo Thieling, Administrative Services Title: City Attorney Finalist Review Background: The City Council conducted interviews on May 7th with seven of the law firms who had submitted proposals in answer to the City's RFP for City Attorney - Civil and Prosecution services. Following the interviews, the City Council chose to remain with Randall & Goodrich for prosecution; however, suggested follow -up with two different firms for civil. The firms chosen to move forward in the process were Michael Couri, Couri & Ruppe, P.L.L.P. and Joseph Langel, Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. Staff has requested retainer proposals from the two firms, which are attached to this topic report. Staff has also conducted telephone interviews with each of their references and will report at the meeting. The minutes from the first interviews for each of these firms are also attached. Staff has contacted each of the two attorneys to request they come to the meeting for a brief follow -up interview. The City policy is to review outside professional contracts on a 3 -5 year basis. The current City Attorney contract for Civil and Criminal (also known as "prosecution ") legal services has been in place for 3 years. The contract runs until July 1, but can be extended indefinitely under a 30 -day termination provision if desired. The City has had a long- standing legal services arrangement with Bill Goodrich for over 30 plus years and they had re- submitted to continue the contract at the current retainer of $48,000 per year. In total, 14 firms submitted for either combined civil and criminal, or civil, or criminal services only. Legal billings for the last 3 years are as follows: 2010 Criminal $ 72,239 Civil $ 67,235 Combined $134,474 2011 Criminal $ 70,606 Civil $ 61,274 Combined $131,880 2012 Criminal $ 70,234 Civil $ 66,131 Combined $136,365 Notification: Observations /Alternatives: 2. 1.