Agenda - Council Work Session - 09/14/2021

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utilizing numerous online research services, such as Lexis©. The firm also has a large, more traditional law library. We would welcome an inspection or tour of our office for a further review of these resources. It is our assessment that these assets are currently being used at nowhere near their full capacity. Our expectation would be that the City's needs and requests would continue to receive our highest priority in utilization of our resources. Municipal "Flowchart" Two types of work currently arrive at the firm from its public body clients, criminal and civil, and each is handled differently. All matters related to civil issues, either in terms of requests for work or matters that arise through the course of the representation of the client, are -handled through Mr. Knaak, who is directed by the City Administrator. All work done for the City is supervised by Mr. Knaak. Although some contact does occur normally between other City personnel and other attorneys in the firm, all such contacts requiring work are reported and memorialized. Any work done by the lawyers in the firm in cooperation with City personnel is directed through the Administrator. We find this practice reduces possible conflict and redundancy. We expect Mr. Holstad will be Mr. Knaak's principal backup in this area. Throughout the nearly 40 years of representing cities, Mr. Knaak has developed an excellent working relationship with the League of Minnesota Cities, its staff, the League's insurance trust, and the various firms the LMC has used in representing cities on insured litigation issues in the past. Mr. Knaak is very actively involved in teaching and training activities done under the auspices of the League and State Bar Association for city attorneys and law firm personnel, and within the past two years has conducted continuing legal education seminars for City Attorneys in the area of subdivision law, the use of development agreements, open meeting laws, data practices and legal ethics. Bond and Finance Experience Although attorneys in this practice have extensive experience in representing municipalities in dealing with bond issues on a variety of matters, none could be considered a "bond counsel" as that term is generally understood in the legal community. It is generally not accepted practice for bond counsel and a city attorney representing a municipality issuing bonds to be of the same firm because of ethical conflict considerations. This firm also has extensive experience on issues of private sector banking, securities and financing issues, and a growing practice in that area, but we do not expect to become bond counsel or a securities -related practice at this time or in the foreseeable future. Fixed Monthly Fee Proposal: 5