Laserfiche WebLink
MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCE <br />General Municipal Law <br />This category encompasses many statutes and common law rules, including those <br />addressing Council powers, parliamentary procedures, the public purpose doctrine, Joint <br />Powers Act, bid law, Open Meeting Law, code enforcement, and so on. As city <br />attorneys, we handle these issues on a daily basis. We have rendered opinions on these <br />issues dozens of times and routinely give speeches on many of them. Because we <br />specialize in municipal law, we are very familiar with these matters and can often <br />respond to questions without needing to spend a substantial amount of time researching. <br />Development Issues <br />We have drafted and negotiated many development and escrow agreements, <br />routinely review plats and related title work, and generally assist City staff with any <br />questions arising out of the development process. This includes developing a <br />"standardized" development agreement that staff can use to facilitate the development <br />process. We have represented cities in zoning requests and appeals, including providing <br />general counsel on interpreting zoning ordinances and suggesting revisions. Mr. Langel <br />has undertaken a number of eminent domain actions over the years, including through the <br />hearing process and appeal, and is experienced in both annexation and detachment <br />proceedings, as well as drafting orderly annexation agreements. Chapter 429 assessment <br />issues are common. Mr. Langel routinely advises cities on the process, including <br />retaining appropriate appraisers, and represents cities through contested hearings and <br />appeals. <br />Economic Development <br />Mr. Langel routinely assists cities with buying and selling land (purchase <br />agreements, title work, drafting deeds, clearing title, etc.), drafting business subsidy <br />agreements and development agreements (as mentioned above), drafting easements <br />(right-of-way, utility, trail, encroachment, etc.), and enforcing agreements and easements <br />on behalf of cities. Mr. Langel also assists cities with grant applications as well as other <br />documents required by other levels of government (State, USDA, Imo, etc.). <br />Ordinances / City Code <br />We routinely draft, review and revise city ordinances of all kinds and will assist in <br />the codification process. Interpretating, providing advice on, and enforcing city codes are <br />tasks undertaken by the firm on a daily basis. We routinely draft letters to residents on <br />code issues, obtain administrative search warrants, undertake the statutory hazardous <br />structure procedure to remove dangerous buildings, and assist with nuisance abatement. <br />6 <br />