Agenda - Council Work Session - 06/04/2013

Home

Michael C. Couri * Robert T. Ruppe ** *Also Licensed in Illinois * *Also Licensed in California May 17, 2013 City of Ramsey Attn: Jo Thieling, City Clerk 7550 Sunwood Drive NW Ramsey, MN 55303 Dear Ms. Thieling: COURI & RUPPE, P.L.L.P Attorneys at law 705 Central Avenue East PO Box 369 St. Michael, MN 55376 -0369 (763) 497 -1930 (763) 497 -2599 (FAX) www.couriruppe.com Re: City of Ramsey Proposal for Legal Services. Thank you for your inquiry regarding the possibility of our firm representing the City of Ramsey on a retainer basis. We have reviewed the amount of retainer work performed by your current City Attorney over the past year, and have reviewed the City's minutes and other information in an attempt to gauge the amount of legal work that would be performed under a retainer with the City. Based on this research, it is our belief that the City Attorney is not current on all of the City's legal work, which makes it difficult to accurately estimate Ramsey's legal needs. As I noted in the May 7 interview, when we take on a client, we do so with the understanding that first and foremost the City Attorney must consistently deliver legal services on a timely basis. We understand that the City Council and City Department Heads cannot wait weeks or months for the City Attorney to research an issue or prepare documents. We fully intend to deliver on this promise, and will devote the resources necessary to meet the City's needs and expectations. Based on our research of the City and our experience in working with other cities, it is our best estimate that it would take approximately $59,000 per year in a retainer to timely and adequately service Ramsey's current legal needs. We understand Ramsey's need to be able to predictably budget for legal services, and are therefore proposing a $59,000 retainer which would cover items very similar to those which the City currently operates under.