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Mayor Strommen stated she liked that Mr. Couri had looked at the Council's meeting minutes to <br />learn about the issues. However, she has some concern that the cities Mr. Couri represents are <br />smaller and Ramsey's issues may be more complex. <br />Councilmember Backous stated they are a tie with him but Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney has 11 <br />attorneys and a lot of backup and Couri & Ruppe represents Nowthen so that was a tie breaker. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated he liked Mr. Couri and that he had reviewed the Council's <br />minutes but Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney won him over because he asked the Council questions at <br />the end of the interview, were matter of fact, and not rendering an opinion. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated he thinks Mr. VanThomme is good for Ramsey's prosecution if <br />Police Chief Way is happy with those services. He liked that Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney have <br />11 attorneys but felt it was more of a large firm so the City will be dinged on everything and may <br />be the most expensive. Councilmember Kuzma stated he likes Mr. Couri a lot and felt he had a <br />lot of experience with the interchange and outlet mall, making him resonate more with where <br />Ramsey is at today. Councilmember Kuzma stated his top pick would be Couri & Ruppe for <br />civil. <br />Councilmember Riley" stated the two firms did not submit a retainer and asked if the Council is in <br />consensus that it wants a retainer. If so, the City should go back to those two firms to ask about a <br />retainer. <br />Mayor Strommen asked if any are not interested in pursuing a retainer. No one responded. <br />Mayor Strommen stated the Council had narrowed civil work to two firms: Ratwik, Roszak & <br />Maloney and Couri & Ruppe. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau suggested both be asked to respond to the City's retainer based on <br />scope of services. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated staff can request retainer proposals and references on both <br />firms. <br />Development Services Manager Gladhill stated Mr. Goodrich has provided Ramsey with great <br />years of service and help for staff in land use planning and zoning He stated it should be <br />clarified that Robert Ruppe is the Nowthen attorney. From a planning perspective and with <br />development agreements, Development Services Manager Gladhill stated Mr. Goodrich has been <br />a good asset for the City. <br />Mayor Strommen agreed that Mr. Goodrich has provided many years of good service to the City <br />but concerns have been expressed with the need to more proactively address issues, to more <br />forcefully alert the Council when it is moving in a wrong direction, and then let the Council <br />make the policy decision. <br />City Council Work Session / May 7, 2013 <br />Page 21 of 23 <br />