Memo - Review of City Attorney Services
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
MEETING DATE:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City
Rick Getschow, Hopkins City Manager
July 5, 2005
Work Session Following the Meeting -
Review of City Attorney Services
Background:
The City Council conducted a discussion of the city attorney services provided by
our current law firm, Miller, Steiner & Curtiss, PA, (MSC) at the May 24,2005
City Council work session.
A brief questionnaire was distributed to city staff to receive feedback on attorney
services provided in the following areas:
. Economic Development, Real Estate, Housing;
. Criminal Prosecution;
. Ordinance drafting;
. Ordinance enforcement;
. Contracts; and
. Dispute Resolution
The Council discussed the staff feedback that the questionnaire provided. The
Council also discussed some issues/questions that they would have for MSC
when they are present at a work session.
The Council stated that in late 2003, when the proposal from MSC was last
presented and discussed, it was understood that MSC staff be brought in for a
review on an annual basis. In addition to the review, MSC could discuss its rates
for the upcoming year. The time for that review and discussion has come.
Wynn Curtiss and Jerry Steiner will be present following the July 5, 2005 regular
City Council meeting for a work session discussion.
Enclosures:
1. "Legal Services Proposal- MSC", November 21,2003 City
Manager Memorandum
2. City Attorney Services QuestionRaire 2005
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Administrative Services Department
Office of the City Manager
Memorandum
,
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Steven C. Mielke, City Manager jk
November21,2003
Legal Services Proposal-Miller, Steiner, and Curtiss
At the Council's direction, Wynn Curtiss and Jeremy Steiner have submitted a proposal
to the City Council outlining the relationship between the City of Hopkins/City Council
and their firm. .
I have met with and discussed this letter with both Wynn and Jeremy, and provided my
comments to them, all of which have been incorporated into the proposal.
Just as a reminder, the hiring of the City attorney is totally within the purview of the City
Council. My efforts as City Manager are to assist the City Council in making sure that
the agreement meets the needs of the City staff and to provide research, if necessary,
for the City Council.
Rates
Miller, Steiner, Curtiss (MSC) is proposing varying rates, depending on the type of
servie'e provided. Attached to this memorandum is a spreadsheet of the rates proposed
by MSC, and a comparison to selected cities that staff was able to garner. As you can
see, the rates that are proposed are consistent with those from other communities. The
primary change to the rates lies in the area of third parties contracts. These are rates
that are pass-through rates to development firms or proposals in which legal work is
necessary. The City does not pay these rates; instead, whoever is proposing the
project would pay these rates. These rates are likely consistent with rates private firms
/ would be used to paying if their own attorneys were doing the work.
General Comments
One of the issues I stressed to MSC was my desire to have the Council and MSC, at
least annually, review the relationship between the City and MSC by having a meeting
in which MSC staff would discuss issues (including rates for the coming year) six
months prior to the next budget year. This has not been done previously, but like any
employee or contractor, it is appropriate to review at least annually to determine .
whether or not any issues exist.
I
.
Legal Services Proposal
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City staff is comfortable with the relationship we have with the City Attorney's office.
The work product we receive is good and we are comfortable with the knowledge and
abilities of the staff at MSC. Staff would look for further direction from the City Council,
should additional information be needed. I have suggested to Wynn and Jeremy that
after discussion of their proposal, the Council should discuss in depth whether or not
there is any additional information needed so that the proposal can be brought to the
City Council for ratification.
mayorccmsc
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Hourly Rates
City Civil Prosecution 3rd Party
Hopkins Attorney: $1 05 . 2004 Attorney: $82.50 Current Private Rates
Attorney: $11 0 - 2005 Paralegal: $42
Paralegal: $42 -2004-05
Dayton $725/month retainer $1,700/month retainer Hourly, billed to developer
St. Anthony $5,OOO/month
New Hope $99 $99
Maple Grove $100-115 $100-115 $185
Saint Louis Park $115-$135 $175-225
(Knutson,Campbell serves SLP and 19 other cities. All are in this range.)
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Attorney Services Questionnaire
Please fill out the following survey regarding attorney services. Your response will be
compiled with the responses of other employees to provide general information to the
City Council.
What Ie al services do
Service
Environmental law
Economic Develo ment
Personnel
Criminal Prosecution
Ordinance draftin
Ordinance enforcement
Contracts
List the legal services that you get from the City Attorney's office. How well do they
erform these services?
Excellent Good Fair Poor
If you could use either the City Attorney's office or another firm for legal work which
would you choose? City Attorney 0 Other Firm 0
Wh ? check all that a
Qualit of service
Cost
Le al ex ertise
Convenience
Other:
5/19/2005
1
What do you dislike about using the City Attorney or what problems have you
experienced?
Do you think that the City should prepare a legal RFP and solicit proposals from other
legal firms for City Attorney services?
Yes 0 No 0
Why?
5/19/2005
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