City Attorney Interview; Mornson
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
CITY OF HOPKINS
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: MIKE MORNSON, CITY MANAGER
DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2015
SUBJECT: CITY ATTORNEY INTERVIEW
_____________________________________________________________________________
In August staff sent out a Request for Proposal for Professional Legal Services. Staff
interviewed the five law firms that responded to the request. The law firms included:
Campbell Knutson
Dougherty, Molenda, et al.
Eckberg Lammers
Hoff, Barry & Kozar, P.A.
Kennedy & Graven Chartered
After meeting with the firms and reviewing the information provided, staff is recommending
that the City Council interview Kennedy & Graven Chartered. If the law firm meets the
expectations of the City Council formal consideration will be taken at the November 2, 2015
meeting. The change will be effective January 1, 2016.
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I KENNEDY & GRAVEN,
CHARTERED
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PROPOSAL FOR
I PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES
I CITY OF HOPKINS
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CONTACT:
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SCOTT J. RIGGS
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I 470 U.S. Bank Plaza
200 South Sixth Street
I Minneapolis, MN 55402
Telephone: (612) 337-9260
I Fax: (612) 337-9310
Email: sriggs@kennedy-graven.com
I Date: September 11, 2015
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Proposal Summary 1
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A. Firm background
Brief History 2
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a. Areas of expertise and general services available 2
b. The general qualifications of the firm to perform municipal legal services 2
I c. Knowledge of specific practice areas 2
d. Employment law 4
2. Office location(s) 5
IB. Attorney Qualifications
Lead City Attorney— Scott J. Riggs 5
I Assistant City Attorney— Sarah J. Sonsalla 8
Assistant City Attorney—Mary D. Tietjen 9
Other Attorneys 10
C. Firm Qualifications
1. References 10
I 2. Experience in municipal legal services 10
3. Municipal work as a percentage of total billings 11
4. Legal library and research capabilities 11
1 5. Malpractice insurance 11
D. Fees 11
E. Conflict of Interest 12
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Conclusion 13
Exhibit 1: Representative Client List
I Exhibit 2: Attorney Resumes
Exhibit 3: References
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PROPOSAL SUMMARY
IFirm Kennedy&Graven, Chartered
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Attorneys 31 attorneys
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Experience Largest law firm in Minnesota serving primarily local governments. Local
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government-related work constitutes over 95 percent of the firm's practice.
I Scope of Services All civil matters listed in the Service Description of this Proposal and other
services upon request.
IProposed Scott J. Riggs
City Attorney
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Proposed Sarah J. Sonsalla
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Assistant Mary D. Tietjen
City Attorneys
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CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES PROPOSAL
1 Kennedy & Graven, Chartered is able to provide representation for all of the general municipal
legal services described on page 6 of the RFP.
A. FIRM BACKGROUND
Ii. Brief history
a. Areas of expertise and general services available.
Kennedy & Graven, Chartered's practice is almost exclusively local government law. We
provide services in all major areas of law related to local government.
IWe combine the tradition of two of the state's leading law firms in the fields of local government
law, public finance, and development. The law firms of LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, O'Brien &
I Drawz, P.A., founded in 1958, and Holmes & Graven, Chartered, founded in 1973, combined
their law practices in 1989. The name of the firm changed to Kennedy & Graven in 1995.
I Since 1989, Kennedy & Graven and its predecessor firm has expanded and diversified its
representation of public clients. The firm's practice continues to focus on local government law,
public finance, litigation, labor and employment law, condemnation, education law, and real
Iestate.
Please see Exhibit 1 for a representative list of current clients.
Ib. The general qualifications of the firm to perform municipal legal services.
I Kennedy & Graven has 31 attorneys consisting of 21 shareholders/partners, six associates, and
four of-counsel attorneys.
I Most of our attorneys have developed unique knowledge and experience in a particular area of
local government law. Kennedy & Graven is able to deliver services economically by use of a
team approach that takes maximum advantage of that knowledge and experience. For example, a
I short interoffice conference may provide an answer that could otherwise take longer to research.
In addition, Kennedy & Graven's representation of many local government entities often means
that the firm has reviewed an issue previously for another client.
IThe firm's experience includes working with joint powers entities, planning commissions, charter
commissions, and other boards and commissions.
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c. Knowledge of the following:
I1. Zoning Laws
Attorneys in our firm have extensive and long-term experience in advising cities on zoning and
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land use issues. As part of our general municipal representation, attorneys at our firm regularly
draft, interpret, and apply zoning regulations. Attorneys at the firm have drafted and reviewed
Ihundreds of zoning ordinances pertaining to such things as shoreland regulations, flood plain
regulations, development moratoria, and subdivision regulations. In addition, we have codified
the zoning ordinances for numerous municipalities.
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2. Platting, Development,Land Develo ment, Annexation
IThe firm has the legal knowledge of platting, land use, zoning approvals and land acquisition
that is often critical in the negotiations that lead to a development agreement.
IMost redevelopment efforts involve a land transaction, which may include: acquisition, sale,
leases, eminent domain, easements, options, subdivision, and zoning. Our firm has extensive
Iexperience in all aspects of real estate development.
Kennedy & Graven handles both routine and complex condemnation proceedings. This includes
I public purpose challenges, quick-take challenges, severance claims, going concern claims,
relocation claims and fixture value claims.
I The firm has experience in annexation matters. Attorneys at the firm here drafted orderly
annexation agreements, annexation ordinances and other annexation-related documents.
Attorneys here also have represented clients at annexation hearings.
I3. TIF Financing and Reporting
I Kennedy & Graven has a particular strength in the area of tax increment financing (TIF), having
served as bond or development counsel for hundreds of projects in the past 25 years. Attorneys
at the firm have helped create every type of TIF district and have used many financing
mechanisms within TIF districts, including bonds, notes, and internal loans. We have served as
primary development counsel in some of the largest, most complex TIF-financed projects in the
State of Minnesota, including the Excelsior & Grand housing/retail complex in St. Louis Park,
I West Ridge Market and Glen Lake projects in the city of Minnetonka, the Mall of America in the
city of Bloomington, the Medtronic (HRM) complex in the city of Mounds View, and the Best
Buy Campus in Richfield.
IIn addition, Kennedy & Graven has played a major role in shaping the tax increment statute.
Our attorneys helped draft portions of the original statute in 1979 and have participated in
I revisions in almost every legislative session since that time. We are additionally familiar with
the special challenges and opportunities that occur with pre-1990 TIF districts. Finally, we have
assisted many cities and authorities in drafting and securing adoption of numerous special bills
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related to TIF.
4. DEED/PFA Financing and Reporting.
IThe firm has experience in DEED/PFA Financing and Reporting.
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S. Real Estate Sale and Acquisition
1 Kennedy& Graven regularly deals with real estate sale and acquisition on behalf of our government
clients. In addition, the firm has substantial experience in examining real estate titles and clearing
objections to title, including initial land registration proceedings, proceedings subsequent to initial
registration, and quiet title actions. Two of the firm's attorneys are certified as Real Property
Specialists by the Minnesota State Bar Association. The Firm's attorneys also are experienced in
' matters relating to boundary lines, tax-forfeited land titles, mortgage foreclosure, elimination of
ancient interests, and numerous other title defects.
6. Economic Development
The firm has served as development counsel for cities, counties and their related development
authorities throughout Minnesota. In this capacity, we have negotiated hundreds of development
and redevelopment contracts and assisted in every aspect of such transactions, from real estate to
environmental matters to finance.
7. General Municipal Financing
' Kennedy & Graven is one of the state's most active firms in public financing, tax increment
financing, development and redevelopment matters. The firm's attorneys provide general and
special finance counsel for municipalities across Minnesota.
As a nationally-recognized bond counsel firm, Kennedy & Graven is capable of serving as bond
counsel for the city if desired. The firm has acted as bond counsel throughout the United States
' and for over 250 public entities in Minnesota. The firm and seven of its attorneys are members
of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and are listed in the Municipal Bond Attorneys of
the United States section of"The Bond Buyer's Directory" ("Red Book"). Kennedy & Graven
' has a broad base of experience in connection with the issuance and sale of public debt, at the
local, regional and state levels. We have acted as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, company
counsel and issuer's counsel in issues of general obligation bonds, tax increment revenue bonds,
' industrial development bonds, and single family and multifamily housing bonds.
8. Tax Anticipation Certificates
The firm has experience in tax anticipation certificates.
1 9. Structuring Special Assessments/Public Improvements
The firm has extensive experience in special assessments and public improvements. We also
' represent our cities in special assessment appeals.
d. Employment Law — Experience dealing with public sector employment
' practices is required.
Kennedy & Graven is actively involved in the employment and personnel area. Our experiences
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1 include discipline/discharge cases; unemployment compensation hearings; race, sex, disability
and age discrimination cases; sexual harassment cases; Veterans' Preference Act cases; reviews
Iof personnel policies/handbooks, employment contracts and affirmative action plans; advice on
pay equity/comparable worth plans; FLSA issues, labor-management contracts; PERA issues,
and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act issues. Kennedy & Graven has defended these
Itypes of cases in federal and state courts, arbitrations, and before the Minnesota Human Rights
Department, the federal EEOC, the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights, and the
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Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.
2. Office location(s)
IKennedy & Graven has one main office and two satellite offices that are available by
appointment. The offices are located at the following addresses:
IMain Location: St. Cloud: St.Paul:
470 U.S. Bank Plaza 501 West Germain Street Lawson Commons
I 200 South Sixth Street Suite 320 Suite 750
Minneapolis,MN 55402 St. Cloud, MN 56301 380 St. Peter Street
(612) 337-9300 telephone (320) 240-8200 telephone St. Paul,MN 55102
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(612) 337-9310 fax
(800) 788-8201 toll free (by appointment only) (651)294-3589 telephone
(651) 224-8328 fax
(by appointment only)
IB. ATTORNEY QUALIFICATIONS
Ii. Identify each attorney and support personnel who will be supplying services
for which the City will be billed.
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a. The name, experience, and qualifications of the person who will be
responsible for fulfilling the obligations as City Attorney.
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The firm proposes Scott J. Riggs to serve as the City Attorney with Sarah J. Sonsalla and Mary D.
Tietjen to serve as Assistant City Attorneys.
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2. For each person identified,please state:
Scott J. Riggs—Proposed Lead City Attorney
Ia. Relevant academic training and degrees
IPlease see Exhibit 2 for a resume of Scott J. Riggs.
Scott Riggs graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political
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Science. After he graduated, Mr. Riggs served as a staff assistant in the United States House of
Representatives for James L. Oberstar for two years. He entered law school in 1990 at William
Mitchell College of Law. While in law school, he was a staff member on the William Mitchell
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ILaw Review and worked first for the League of Minnesota Cities as a research assistant, and
later for the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust as a law clerk. In 1994, he began three
years of practice at Hoff, Barry & Kuderer, P.A., in Eden Prairie, where, in addition to his
emphasis on municipal law, he practiced in the areas of criminal prosecution, real estate, and
civil litigation. Mr. Riggs joined Kennedy & Graven in March of 1997 and is a shareholder.
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b. Municipal experience
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IScott Riggs' practice is concentrated in municipal law, real estate, employment law, economic
development and redevelopment law and litigation.
IScott is currently City Attorney for the following cities:
l Faribault:
Kenyon: 2003-present
1996-present
Mantorville 2014-present
I Mounds View: 2001-present
Nerstrand: 2007-present
New Prague: 2003-present
IWest Concord: 1996-present
Scott is also involved in the firm's representation of other cities, various economic development
Iagencies, utility commissions and various townships.
c. Other background or experience that might be helpful in evaluating your
I proposal. Land use regulations, planning/zoning, general and public
contracting, eminent domain, annexation, TIF and finance will be of
lecial interest in evaluating proposals.
IScott Riggs frequently deals with matters involving land use regulations, planning/zoning, general
and public contracting.
The following are some examples of development projects that Scott Riggs has been counsel for:
I City of Faribault -- Sage Electrochromics, Inc. (City, EDA)(current). This is a major
development project in the City of Faribault consisting of the construction of two
manufacturing facilities totaling in excess of 300,000 square feet and the creation of a
I minimum of 145 new jobs. The projects involved various State, City and Economic
Development Authority loans, grants, Jobs Opportunity Building Zone tax benefits and
tax abatement.
ICity of New Prague — Chart, Inc. (City) (2013-2014). This was a real estate,
development and financing project in the City of New Prague. The project consisted of
I the negotiation and signing of a contract for private development with Chart, Inc. to
construct an 111,111 square foot facility. The project also included all aspects of
financing this project.
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City of Faribault — Trails Edge Apartments (City, HRA) (2009). This was a major real
estate project in the City of Faribault. The project consisted of the sale of the HRA-
owned Trails Edge Apartments complex to a private owner and payoff of bond proceeds.
City of Mounds View — Medtronic (City, EDA) (2004-2008). This was a major
development project in the City of Mounds View. The project consisted of the sale of the
' Bridges Golf Course in Mounds View to Medtronic, redevelopment of the golf course
utilizing tax increment financing ("TIF"), and development of a contract for private
development with Medtronic, Inc. to build a multi-story complex to house its Cardiac
Rhythm Management ("CRM") campus to house in excess of 3,000 employees in this
location. The project also included negotiations concerning relocation of billboards that
were located at the site.
The following are some municipal litigation matters Mr. Riggs has been involved in:
Faribault: Water meter dispute (2012-2014). While no complaint was ever filed, the City and a
water meter manufacturer along with an installer disputed the causes of inaccurate readings
regarding a recently installed city-wide water meter system. The City successfully mediated
settlement of the matter and the City's water meter system is currently being replaced.
Faribault: City of Faribault v. Gridor Construction, Inc., and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
' (2007-2008). The City initiated a lawsuit alleging certain defects in the construction of a ground
storage water tank. The City successfully mediated settlement of the matter and utilized the
settlement for upgrades to the tank.
' Kenyon: City of Kenyon v. Schroeder/Leverington, Inc. (2001-2002). The City initiated a contract
arbitration matter regarding the construction of a new City Hall. The City successfully settled the
matter and finalized construction of City Hall.
Mounds View: Mounds View Citizens Taxpayers Association v. Mounds View City Council, et al.
(2005). The City was challenged regarding its interpretation of the City Charter and the procedure
associated with the sale of land in the City. The City prevailed and the land conveyance proceeded
to closing.
Mr. Riggs has also worked on various hazardous building actions, quiet title actions, Torrens
proceedings subsequent and registration proceedings which have been asserted and prosecuted to
conclusion to correct hazardous buildings, nuisances, code deficiencies and title matters (Faribault,
Kenyon,Mounds View, and West Concord).
Mr. Riggs has also worked on various litigation matters involving Department of Public Safety data
look-ups, slip and falls, police enforcement issues, etc. which have been tendered to the League of
Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for defense in the regular course of each City's business.
Mr. Riggs has been involved in numerous condemnation actions including an action for airport
expansion in the City of Faribault.
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The availability of the City Attorney and professional staff
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Scott Riggs is available to attend the City's regular CityCouncil meetings. He also has the capacity
in his current work load that would allow him to be able to serve as the City Attorney and represent
Ithe City.
Scott along with all of the other attorneys and the firm's support staff are always available to the
ICity during these times. The City may contact Scott by phone (each attorney has a direct phone
number), e-mail, or fax. Mr. Riggs' assistant can locate him in the event that he is out of the
I office. In the event that there is an issue that arises outside of these hours, Scott is available by
cell phone and monitors his calls and e-mail messages outside of normal business hours, if
necessary. All of the firm's attorneys are also able to access the firm's computer system from a
II remote location.
Sarah J. Sonsalla—Proposed Assistant City Attorney
IPlease see Exhibit 2 for a resume of Sarah J. Sonsalla
Ia. Relevant academic training and degrees
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin—La
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Crosse with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. She received her J.D. degree from the
University of Minnesota Law School in 2001. While in law school, Sarah was the Executive Editor
of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Review.
Ib. Municipal experience
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Sarah J. Sonsalla is currently the City Attorney for the cities of Lake City and Sandstone. She is
also general counsel to Local Government Information Systems (LOGIS), a joint powers
intergovernmental consortium of Minnesota local government units that provides technology
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services. Sarah also serves as an assistant city attorney for the cities of Oakdale, Faribault, New
Prague, Minnetrista, Medina, Shakopee, Kenyon, Mantorville and Mounds View.
I Sarah has over 14 years' experience in representing cities and townships. She joined Kennedy &
Graven in 2005 and was elected shareholder in 2009. While at Kennedy& Graven, over 90 percent
of Sarah's time has been spent on municipal/local government-related matters. Prior to joining
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Kennedy and Graven, Sarah worked for four years as an associate for a local law firm where she
practiced in municipal law, labor and employment law and real estate. During that time, she served
as the assistant city attorney for two cities (Maplewood and Taylors Falls) and the assistant
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township attorney for two townships (White Bear and Grey Cloud Island). She also represented
numerous property owners in eminent domain proceedings and represented Minnesota Teamsters
Public and Law Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No. 320 and the Minnesota State High
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School League.
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c. Other background or experience that might be helpful in evaluating your
proposal. Land use regulations, planning/zoning, general and public
' contracting, eminent domain, annexation, TIF and finance will be of
special interest in evaluating proposals
Sarah has significant experience in drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts and
agreements and attending all types of city council, commission and staff meetings. Some of her
recent projects have included drafting shoreland and flood plain ordinances, drafting zoning
regulations; drafting development agreements, reviewing public improvement contracts and
associated insurance certificates and performance and payment bonds, drafting law enforcement
services contracts, bringing hazardous building/nuisance abatement actions, reviewing and drafting
joint powers agreements,drafting public notices, and drafting resolutions.
Sarah also has significant real estate experience including the drafting of real estate documents such
as purchase agreements and easements and bringing quiet title actions, proceedings subsequent, and
Torrens registration actions.
' Sarah also has litigation experience and has provided litigation assistance to several of the firm's
municipal clients and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust on a variety of matters
including bankruptcy, hazardous buildings, eminent domain, land use, vehicle forfeitures, and
construction law. Her litigation experience includes drafting pleadings and discovery, attending
depositions, drafting motions and memoranda of law and drafting appellate briefs, including a
Minnesota Supreme Court brief involving a condemnation matter.
d. The availability of the City Attorney and professional staff
Sarah Sonsalla is available to attend the City's regular City Council meetings. She also has the
capacity in her current work load that would allow her to be able to serve as an Assistant City
Attorney and represent the City.
Mary D.Tietjen—Proposed Assistant City Attorney
Please see Exhibit 2 for a resume of Mary D. Tietjen
a. Relevant academic training and degrees
Mary graduated, cum laude, from Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota with a B.A. degree in
Psychology. She graduated in 1997, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul,
Minnesota.
b. Municipal experience
Mary currently serves as the city attorney for Richfield, Rosemount and Osseo, Minnesota. She is
also General Counsel for the Meeker County HRA and assistant city attorney for the cities of New
Brighton, Brooklyn Center and Crystal, Minnesota. Mary was the city attorney for Shorewood, MN
in 2009-2010 and Montrose, MN in 2011-2012. She gives labor and employment law advice to
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111 many of the firm's municipal clients and serves as �'y
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p rm counsel in those areas for the cities of
Belle Plaine, East Grand Forks, Chaska, Oakdale, Brooklyn Center, Shakopee, Medina, and
IMinnetrista.
In addition to employment and labor law, Mary advises many of the firm's municipal clients in a
Ivariety of areas including contracts, housing, code enforcement, special assessments and land use.
Mary also represents municipal clients in litigation matters in state and federal court, including the
Uappellate level, as well as dispute resolution proceedings such as grievance arbitrations and
veterans' preference hearings.
I c. Other background or experience that might be helpful in evaluating your
proposal. Land use regulations, planning/zoning, general and public
contracting, eminent domain, annexation, TIF and finance will be of special
Iinterest in evaluating proposals
Mary began her municipal career as a law clerk with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance
I Trust in 1994. She was a defense attorney with the LMCIT from 1997-2001 and joined Kennedy &
Graven in 2001. She became a shareholder in the firm in 2004.
I Before her law career, Mary was a staff member for former United States Congressman Gerry
Sikorski from 1988 to 1992. In that position, Mary developed her interest in advocacy by
representing constituents at local, state and federal agencies.
Id. The availability of the City Attorney and professional staff
I Mary Tietjen would be available if needed to attend many of the City's regular City Council
meetings. The City of Rosemount meets on the same evenings, but she does not attend all of the
Council meetings in Rosemount. She also has the capacity in her current work load that would
Iallow her to be able to serve as an Assistant City Attorney and represent the City.
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3. Other Attorneys
The firm has 31 attorneys that would be available to the City. A majority of these attorneys practice
in the area of local government law and many are designated city attorneys.
IC. FIRM QUALIFICATIONS
I 1. The names and telephone numbers of three client references that the City
may contact. Municipal references are preferred.
IPlease see Exhibit 3 for references.
2. List and describe any previous or current experience in municipal legal
I services, specify activities performed, and the name of the person who may
be contacted at the municipality.
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1 Kennedy & Graven currently represents many Minnesota municipalities. Currently, the firm
represents 34 cities as the primary appointed city attorney and many others as special counsel.
IThese cities are listed in Exhibit 1 and we invite you to contact any of them.
3. Statement of 2014 billings for municipal work as a percentage of total 2014
Ibillings.
Ninety five percent (95%) of the firm's total billings in 2014 were for municipal work.
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4. Describe your legal library and research capabilities with specific emphasis
I on municipal law publications, computer links, and the firm's capability to
maintain a proper response time for legal reports and memos.
I Kennedy & Graven has a law library at the Minneapolis office. The library contains the
Minnesota Statutes, Rules, the United States Code, Minnesota Practice, and various other
publications in certain areas of law such as eminent domain and construction law. In addition,
Iwe office adjacent to the Hennepin County Government center which an extensive law library.
Kennedy & Graven also subscribes to the electronic legal research service Westlaw which gives
Iattorneys access to virtually any relevant legal research sources.
Attorneys at the firm work very hard to maintain a proper response time for the firm's clients for
I legal advice and work product. Clients are always asked by the attorney as to the time frame for
completing a project. A determination is then made regarding the most effective means to
complete a project. Due to the large number of attorneys at Kennedy & Graven that practice in
I the area of municipal law, requests for legal services can almost always be accommodated within
the time frame requested by the client.
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5. Identify the firm's level of malpractice insurance.
Kennedy & Graven carries professional liability insurance with Westport Insurance Corporation,
Iwith policy limits of$5,000,000 per claim and $5,000,000 annual aggregate.
D. FEES
Kennedy & Graven proposes the following hourly rates for general municipal legal services and
for all other services identified on page 6 of the RFP in the section entitled "General Municipal
ILegal Services Description", as described below. For legal services in the years 2015-2016:
1. For all attorneys in general municipal matters not covered below
I $155/hr.
2. For all attorneys in litigation and administrative proceedings
I $187.50/hr.
3. For all attorneys in real estate and condemnation matters
I $187.50/hr.
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4. For all attorneys in utility and telecommunications matters
$187.50/hr.
5. For all employment and labor negotiation matters
' $187.50/hr.
' 6. For all attorneys in matters in which costs are passed through to developer
$220/hr.
' 7. For all attorneys in economic development,redevelopment and tax increment
matters
$220/hr.
8. For all law clerks
$85/hr.
' 9. For all paralegals
$110/hr.
Kennedy & Graven reserves the right to discuss rates for the year 2017 and beyond with the City of
Hopkins.
1 Rates for bond counsel work would be at our regular governmental rate for this type of work.
Costs in addition to legal fees would be charged as follows:
' Photocopies $0.05
Westlaw Research $3.00 per minute
Postage and Messenger Fees Actual cost
Mileage IRS reimbursement rate
Filing fees or disbursements paid on behalf of the city Actual cost
' Kennedy & Graven wouldprovide detailed monthlybillingstatements that would include all of the
information set forth in the Request for Proposals.
The minimum increment of time billed for all services (including phone calls, correspondence,
' conferences, etc.) is six minutes.
E. Conflict of Interest
1. Indicate whether you or your law firm represent or have represented any
client which representation may conflict with your ability to serve as City
' Attorney.
Kennedy & Graven is not aware of any client it represents, or has represented, that would cause a
conflict in the firm's ability to provide legal services to the City of Hopkins. The firm does
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occasionally perform public finance legal work for the contiguous jurisdictions of Hennepin
County, Minnetonka and St. Louis Park.
2. Do you currently represent any real estate developers?
' One attorney in the firm represents The Pemtom Land Company, Pratt Construction, Inc. and
Wooddale Builders, Inc., in a limited amount of matters, none of which are in cities that the firm
represents. To the firm's knowledge, these clients do not have any connection to real estate in
' Hopkins. The work that our firm does for these clients is approximately one percent of the firm's
total billings. We make it clear to these clients that we will not represent them in any matter relating
to a city that we represent.
1 3. What procedures does your firm utilize to identify and resolve conflicts of
interest?
Kennedy & Graven has a computerized conflict-checking system that is used to identify potential
conflicts. The system maintains a database containing the names of all clients of the firm and any
' adverse parties. This database is checked each time that the firm opens a new matter as to potential
new clients and adverse parties. This avoids the development of actual conflict, but if an actual
conflict exists, or would exist, the firm would not proceed unless both clients consented.
' CONCLUSION
We believe that our firm is without an equal in terms of the depth and quality of municipal legal
services we offer. We believe our experience permits us to provide the highest quality legal
services to cities in the most cost-effective and efficient way.
' Thank you for this opportunity to offer Kennedy & Graven's services to your city. Please feel free
to contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information.
KENNEDY& GRAVEN, CHARTERED
By: I! �.
Dated: September 11, 2015. Scott). Ri_s, oje
10r
Kennedy . . 'C ed
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IEXHIBIT 1
IREPRESENTATIVE CITIES/TOWNS/OTHER ENTITIES
IDesignated City Attorney for the following cities:
City of Belle Plaine City of New Brighton
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City of Brooklyn Center City of New Prague
City of Brooklyn Park City of Oak Grove
I City of Cokato City of Oakdale
City of Crystal City of Osseo
City of Faribault City of Pine Island
I City of Franklin City of Rice
City of Independence City of Richfield
City of Kenyon City of Robbinsdale
I City of Lauderdale City of Rosemount
City of Lake City City of Sandstone
City of Mantorville City of Shakopee
I City of Medina City of Victoria
City of Minnetrista City of Wahkon
City of Mound City of Watson
I City of Mounds View
City of Nerstrand City of West Concord
City of Wilton
I General Counsel to the following Economic Development Authorities, Housing and
Redevelopment Authorities, and Port Authorities:
I Belle Plaine Lino Lakes
Bloomington Marshall
Brainerd Medina
I Brooklyn Center Minnetrista
Brooklyn Park Monticello
Burnsville Mound
I Chanhassen Mounds View
Columbia Heights New Prague
Crystal Richfield
I Faribault Robbinsdale
Kenyon Rosemount
Lake City St. Louis Park
I Sandstone
Shakopee
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ISpecial Counsel or Bond Counsel to dozens of cities, counties, joint powers organizations,
and other public bodies, including:
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City of Belle Plaine City of Marshall
City of Blackduck City of Minneapolis
ICity of Bloomington Minneapolis Community Planning and
City of Burnsville Economic Development Department
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City of Cokato City of Minnetonka
City of Columbia Heights City of Mounds View
City of Duluth City of New Prague
I City of Dundas City of Owatonna
City of Faribault City of Rochester
City of Kenyon City of Saint Paul
I City of Hopkins City of Staples
City of Inver Grove Heights City of West Concord
City of West Saint Paul
IGeneral Counsel to Special Purpose Entities:
I Cable Commissions: Watershed Management Commissions:
Apple Valley, Rosemount, Farmington Lower Rum River
Lake Minnetonka Middle Mississippi River
I Quad Cities Middle St. Croix
Arlington, Gaylord, Winthrop, Gibbon Shingle Creek
Southern Minnesota Vadnais Lakes
IWest Mississippi
Lake Minnetonka Conservation District
I Local Government Information
Systems (LOGIS)
Suburban Rate Authority (SRA)
IMinnesota Valley Transit Authority
Townships in Minnesota:
IList is available upon request.
ISchool Districts in Minnesota:
List is available upon request.
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EXHIBIT 2
IATTORNEY RESUMES
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Kennedy
Graven
CHARTERED
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Scott J. Riggs
MUNICIPAL LAW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT
EMPLOYMENT LAW
dr.
LITIGATION
t�
J.D.,William Mitchell College of Law, 1994
B.A., St. Olaf College, 1988
PRIMARY PRACTICE AREAS
Scott Riggs is a shareholder in the firm of Kennedy&Graven,Chartered and practices in the areas of
' Municipal Law, Economic Development and Redevelopment,Employment Law,and Litigation. He is
currently the city attorney for the cities of Faribault,Kenyon,Mounds View,Nerstrand,New Prague,
and West Concord. He is also involved in the firm's representation of other cities,various economic
development agencies,a utility commission,a cable commission,and various townships.
BACKGROUND
' After graduating from college,Mr. Riggs served as a staff assistant for Congressman James L. Oberstar,first
in Washington,D.C.,and then in Duluth,Minnesota(1987-1990).While in law school,he was a staff
member on the William Mitchell Law Review.As a legal research assistant for the League of Minnesota
Cities(1990-1992),he worked with federal,state,and local officials on legislation issues affecting cities.
' He then went on to clerk at the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust(1992-1994). In 1994,
he began three years of practice at Hoff, Barry&Kuderer, P.A., in Eden Prairie,where, in addition to
his emphasis on municipal law,he practiced in the areas of criminal prosecution,real estate,and civil
' litigation.He joined Kennedy&Graven in March of 1997.
MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Mr. Riggs is a member of the Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar Associations. He was previously
' an Adjunct Instructor in Business Law, teaching"The Legal Environment of Business"at Anoka-Ramsey
Community College(1997-2001),and is an Adjunct Professor of Law, teaching"Local Government Law"
at William Mitchell College of Law(1999, 2001 and 2003 Spring Semesters).Mr. Riggs co-authored,
' with Floyd B. Olson and Daniel J. Greensweig, the article: "The Future of Impact Fees in Minnesota" (24
Wm.Mitchell L. Rev.635 (1998)). Mr. Riggs is also working on a Local Government Law section for a
forthcoming new edition of the Minnesota Practice (legal reference series).
' PERSONAL
Scott Riggs is active in Habitat for Humanity and the Metro Paint-A-Thon. He and his wife,Jocelyn, have
four daughters. He enjoys coaching youth hockey and soccer.
' "I enjoy the wide-ranging practice available at Kennedy eT' Graven,from advising suburban cities to the unique
development issues confronting agricultural communities. The breadth of experience present at Kennedy er
Graven, and the teamwork approach to municipal representation,permits me to quickly respond to any new
issues facing cities."
I
Kennedy
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1 Graven
CHARTERED
Sarah J. Sonsalla
411.1 MUNICIPAL LAW, REAL ESTATE,
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW
' J.D. (Dean's List), University of Minnesota Law School, 2001
B.A. (Highest Honors), Philosophy and Political Science,
,; University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1998
PRIMARY PRACTICE AREAS
Sarah Sonsalla is a Shareholder at Kennedy& Graven. Sarah has over 13 years' experience in
representing cities and townships. Sarah is currently the city attorney for the cities of Lake City
and Sandstone and general counsel for Local Government Information Systems (LOGIS), a joint
powers entity. Sarah has significant experience in drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, and
' contracts and attending all types of city council, town board, commission and staff meetings. Sarah
also has significant real estate experience including drafting real estate documents such as purchase
agreements, easements, and deeds and bringing quiet title actions, proceedings subsequent actions
' and Torrens registration actions.
BACKGROUND
Sarah received her B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin—La
' Crosse in 1998. She received General Honors along with Departmental Honors in Philosophy and
Political Science. In 2001, Sarah received her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.
During law school, Sarah served as the Executive Editor of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Review.
After law school, Sarah practiced for four years at a law firm in St. Paul as an associate attorney,
practicing primarily in the areas of municipal law, labor and employment law, and real estate before
joining Kennedy& Graven as an associate attorney in 2005.
MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sarah is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Ramsey County Bar Association, the
International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and Minnesota Women Lawyers. Sarah served
as a member of the Second Judicial District Ethics Committee from 2003-2007. Sarah presently
serves on the Ramsey County Bar Association's Youth &The Law Committee and mentors law
students at the University of St. Thomas Law School.
PERSONAL
Sarah enjoys running, biking, and downhill skiing. She also enjoys playing the trumpet and has
participated in many different bands. Sarah lives in Woodbury with her husband and two children.
' "Working with local governments is very rewarding for me because the projects that I work on have
the potential to benefit not only a select group of people, but the general public.In working with
local govenments,I have found that all of my colleagues at Kennedy er Graven are great resources
due to their extensive knowledge of local government law. This allows me to serve our clients
efficiently and effectively."
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I Kennedy
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CHARTERED
I ,rMary D. Tietjen
ILOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW, MUNICIPAL LITIGATION,
1111, GENERAL LITIGATION
I J.D. (cum Laude),William Mitchell College of Law, 1997
B.A. (cum Laude), Psychology, Concordia College, 1988
IPRIMARY PRACTICE AREAS
Ms.Tietjen practices in the areas of local government law and municipal litigation.
IAt Kennedy&Graven, Mary works with many of the firm's municipal clients, advising them in a
variety of areas including employment and labor, contracts, housing, code enforcement and land use.
Mary also represents municipal clients in litigation matters in state and federal court, including the
Iappellate level, and specializes in the area of labor and employment law.
Mary currently serves as the city attorney for Richfield and Rosemount and was the city attorney for
I Shorewood in 2009-2010 and Montrose in 2011-2012. Mary also serves as the assistant city attorney
for the cities of New Brighton, Brooklyn Center and Rice.
BACKGROUND
I Mary has been working with cities and practicing in the area of municipal law since 1994. Before
joining Kennedy&Graven, she was with the League of Minnesota Cities where she practiced as a
defense attorney and law clerk.As a law clerk with the League's Insurance Trust, Mary researched
I a broad array of municipal issues and wrote hundreds of briefs and memoranda for both in-house
counsel and firms assigned to handle League cases.As a defense attorney with the League she
represented cities throughout Minnesota, litigating cases primarily in the areas of personal injury,
property damage and employment. Prior to Mary's law career, she was a staff member for former
I United States Congressman Gerry Sikorski from 1988 to 1992. In that position, Mary developed her
interest in advocacy by representing constituents at local, state and federal agencies.
I MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Mary is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, and the
Minnesota Defense Lawyer's Association. She has taught workshops for local city officials, including
loss-control seminars while at the League on a variety of topics, such as the Family and Medical Leave
IAct and governmental immunities.
PERSONAL
I During her spare time, Mary spends time with her two daughters. Mary's many hobbies and interests
include long-distance running with her dog,weightlifting, biking, and kickboxing. During more
quiet times, Mary likes to read fiction, and play cribbage and piano.
I "I enjoy my practice at Kennedy t Graven because it allows me to work with clients who are
committed to making their communities a better place to live."
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IEXHIBIT 3
IREFERENCES
References for Scott J. Riggs
Dan Greensweig Michael J. Johnson
ILMCIT Assistant Administrator City Administrator
League of Minnesota Cities City of New Prague
I 145 University Avenue West 118 Central Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55103 New Prague,MN 56071
(651)281-1291 (952) 758-4401
Idgreensweig@lmc.org mjohnson@ci.new-prague.mn.us
I Tom Grundhoefer Mark Vahlsing
General Counsel City Administrator
League of Minnesota Cities City of Kenyon
I 145 University Avenue West 709 Second Street
St. Paul, MN 55103 Kenyon, MN 55946
(651) 281-1266 1 (507) 789-6415
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tgrundhoefer@lmc.org mvahlsing@cityofkenyon.com
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References for Sarah J. Sonsalla
I Sam Griffith Kari Schreck
City Administrator City Clerk
City of Sandstone City of Lake City
I 119 4th Street 205 West Center Street
Sandstone, MN 55072 Lake City, MN 55041
(320) 245-5241 (651) 345-6812
Isamg@sandstonemn.com kschreck@ci.lake-city.mn.us
I Mike Garris
Executive Director
LOGIS
1 5750 Duluth Street
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(763) 543-2699
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mgarris@logis.org
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References for Mary D. Tietjen
Steve Devich Dean Lotter
ICity Manager City Manager
City of Richfield City of New Brighton
6700 Portland Avenue 803 Old Hwy 8 NW
IRichfield,MN 55423 New Brighton,MN 55112
(612) 861-9702 (651) 638-2041
sdevich@cityofrichfield.org dean.lotter@newbrightommn.gov
ITom Grundhoefer Greg Nybeck
General Counsel Executive Director
League of Minnesota Cities Lake Minnetonka Conservation District
I 145 University Ave. 5341 Maywood Road, Suite 200
West St. Paul,MN 55103-2044 Mound, MN 55364
(651) 281-1266 (952) 745-0789
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tgrundhoefer@lmc.org gnybeck@lmcd.org
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