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City Administrator Ulrich stated both firms would hold regular office hours so staff can address <br />issues with them at that time and in conference calls during non - office hours. <br />Each of the two finalist firms were asked the following questions and made the following <br />responses: <br />COURI & RUPPE <br />Please describe how you arrived at the retainer amount given in your proposal and indication <br />you felt the City was behind in legal work <br />Mike Couri, Couri & Ruppe, stated he reviewed the 2012 billings to get a feel for the work being <br />done and what was retainer. They determined what was paralegal and attorney work, the total <br />billing for 2012, and the effective rate came out to roughly $142.50 per hour. He stated they had <br />originally quoted $140.00 so they felt that was in the "ballpark." Mr. Couri stated he tells it like <br />he sees it and they have followed the Randall, Goodrich & Haag firm at another city and learned <br />they do things differently. In that case, his firm did more of a comprehensive approach and that <br />client asked them to do more work than was previously being done as well as backup work that <br />was not being done. Mr. Couri stated they estimated there will be 20 -25% more work so they <br />used 23% by $48,000 and arrived at $59,000. He stated he wants to quote a "real" figure and not <br />have to come back and say it was not working out. They want to do the job right and will give a <br />100% commitment to get it done. Mr. Couri stated a lot of attorneys have the view to do the <br />highest rate work first and prioritize clients by rate. His firm does not like that approach and did <br />not quote a low rate that he thought was less than needed to get the work done. Mr. Couri stated <br />Ramsey will be their top priority client and they want a long -term relationship that works for <br />everybody. <br />What is an example of additional work you were required to do when following the Randall, <br />Goodrich & Haag firm? <br />Mr. Couri explained there was a letter of credit with a bank and they jumped on Bankrate.com <br />and realized the bank was in trouble. The prior firm called on the letter of credit and the bank <br />said it would not pay it so the prior firm sent letters to the comptroller of the currency. Mr. Couri <br />stated he suggested if you want the money, you better get it before the bank fails. They sued the <br />bank, got a call within two days from their attorney, and got the money a week or two later. Mr. <br />Couri explained this situation had languished for six months. Two months after they got the <br />money, the bank failed. Mr. Couri stated his firm came in and did not wait for the administration <br />to bring it up but looked at the issues and prioritized what had to get done. <br />What parts of the retainer, if any, would you recommend to be revised to give savings to the <br />City? <br />Mr. Couri stated if they are wrong on the retainer amount, they would knock it back because <br />their intent is to provide the service needed at a reasonable rate. He stated they will track their <br />hours and show them on the monthly bill. Mr. Couri explained they did not have a good feel for <br />the amount of work they would do. He stated they do not want to quote a rate over $140 but <br />City Council Work Session / June 4, 2013 <br />Page 3 of 22 <br />