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Councilmember Backous stated he agrees with Councilmember Tossey and is ready to make a <br />decision tonight, provided an appropriate retainer is received, with Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney. <br />He stated he likes that their proposal capped Council meetings at two hours and they were open <br />to not having legal representation at every Council meeting. He noted it is clear that Police Chief <br />Way is happy with the current prosecution work of Randall, Goodrich & Haag. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau stated the bigger question was answered in knowing the Council is <br />willing to split civil and criminal. He stated he cannot disagree in regard to liking the Ratwik, <br />Roszak & Maloney firm and that they will say .what the Council needs to hear and not what it <br />wants to hear. Councilmember LeTourneau stated on the prosecution side, he is happy with Mr. <br />VanThomme but thinks the Hawkins & Baumgartner group is dynamic and would like that <br />conversation. <br />Councilmember Backous stated he liked those two prosecutors as well and wanted to get input <br />from Police Chief Way. He stated all of the prosecuting attorneys answered his question about <br />philosophy the way he wanted to hear it, but he wanted to ask Police Chief Way about looking at <br />each situation and acting appropriately. <br />Police Chief Way stated he has known Mr. Baumgartner for a long time and knows he is <br />involved in Sherburne County as well as others and is spread thin right now. He stated Hawkins <br />& Baumgartner would probably hire someone if they got the Ramsey contract because it would <br />double what they have now and currently, Mr. Baumgartner has to move Nowthen court dates <br />around because he is spread thin. <br />Councilmember Backous stated he would default to someone who has had the position. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau stated he is also aware this is a relationship, which is an important <br />element. He noted there is already a relationship with Mr. VanThomme and asked what will <br />happen to the relationship with Mr. Goodrich if another firm is used for civil. He also asked if it <br />would be uncomfortable for Mr. VanThomme in the office. <br />Police Chief Way stated he had that conversation with Randall, Goodrich & Haag since the <br />Council has made their position known and they are aware as well. He stated Mr. VanThomme <br />would continue to work out of that office and it would not be a factor at all. <br />Councilmember Riley stated he would agree to not change prosecution if all are happy with it. <br />He stated he also liked Mr. Couri since municipal is all he does and Mr. Couri felt more local <br />and in tune with what is going on in Ramsey than a firm from Minneapolis driving out to <br />Ramsey. Councilmember Riley stated it seemed like the larger firm was interested in giving <br />legal advice and not being vested in Ramsey. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau stated with Mr. Langel, he was not resonating and he found him to <br />be standoffish from a big firm but the more he listened to his answers, the more he liked Mr. <br />Langel. <br />City Council Work Session / May 7, 2013 <br />Page 20 of 23 <br />