Agenda - Council Work Session - 06/04/2013

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Each of these firm have presented an annual retainer: Michael Couri, Couri & Ruppe, P.L.L.P. $59,000 per year, plus $140/hr for exclusions and $160 per hour work billed 3rd party Joseph Langel, Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney (RRM), $48,000 per year, plus $145/hr for exclusions and $185 per hour work billed 3rd party The City's current law firm is retained (and has proposed) at $48,000 per year and the exclusions are billed at $110 per hour. Additional work has averaged somewhat less than $20,000 per year over the retainer. Abatements and forfietures are also covered under the current contract and would not be covered under the other proposals. The two finalist firms both are qualified with municipal law and have strong experience with Minnesota municipalities. Couri and Ruppe is a two attorney firm located in St, Micheal, and RRM has eleven attorneys and is located in Minneapolis. Couri and Ruppe has identified under conflict -of- interest that they currently represent the City of Nowthen. They state that Nowthen has no objections to their firm representing Ramsey and there are no outstanding conflicts, although the potential exists that each City may want independant representation in the future. Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council consider the retainer proposals and interview each of the finalists prior to making a selection. Funding Source: Under the proposals of the two finalists, the City's expenditures for legal fees may increase $5- 16,000 per year. This amount would need to be added to future annual budgets. Council Action: Based upon disucssion. Legal Services Retainer Proposal Couri Retainer Proposal Langel Initial Interview Couri Initial Interview Langel Inbox Reviewed By Kurt Ulrich Kurt Ulrich Form Started By: Jo Thieling Attachments Form Review Final Approval Date: 05/30/2013 Date 05/30/2013 04:08 PM Started On: 05/30/2013 11:21 AM