Discuss Council Organization
 

Purpose:  The purpose of this report is to determine the committees, boards, authorities or other groups to which Councilmembers will be appointed.  Also to be determined are the appointments for the official newspaper, approval of the annual contract with TimeSavers Off-Site Secretarial Service (TOSS), and appointment of legal services.  

Background:  Each year, Councilmembers are appointed to serve on different committees, boards, authorities or other groups. Attached is a list of the committees as well as a description of what they are and when they meet. Since appointments were  just made in 2021 and there are no new board members for 2022, this year Staff asked that Councilmembers review the appointments and let us know if changes are desired (rather than ranking preferences as we have in the past).  At the time of this writing, the italized names have not been discussed or reviewed by the City Council and may be changed by resolution with the final selections will be adopted by Council at their meeting later this evening.  

The Chair and Vice-Chair positions for each committee will be appointed at that committee level.  With regard to EDA appointments, the Code states that the appointments shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council, and the terms are for six-years or until the council term has ended.  It should be noted that each board and commission have a staff liaison appointed, as well as Councilmember(s).

As a reminder, the City's Code states the following with regard to Ex-officio members.  The City Council may appoint, by majority vote, a Councilmember or City staff person as ex-officio members of any board or commission privileged to speak on any matter without a vote, and the ex-officio members shall provide a liaison between the board or commission and City Council. 

Attached is the resolution that is on the Agenda this evening for formal adoption.  Please note:  The 2021 appointments are listed as they are currently approved.  The 2022 appointments  are printed in Italics, which means they are open for discussion.  If there are any changes to the appointments based on discussion this evening, those changes will be incorporated in the resolution that is on tonight's agenda, prior to execution.  

The organizational resolution includes declaring the City's official newspaper.  At the time of this writing, the City has received one proposal -  Adams Publishing Group - the Anoka County UnionHerald.  Such proposal is attached to this case.  The Anoka County UnionHerald has historically served as the City's official newspaper and currently provides the most regular coverage of City.  The proposal from Adams Publishing Group states the rates for 2022 will remain unchanged.  

Also included for Council review and approval is the Addendum to the Recording Secretary Service Agreement between the City of Ramsey and TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial (TOSS) that extends the expiration date to December 31, 2022 (attached).  The addendum shows a less than  2.5 percent increase in the rates.  Approval of the contract with TOSS is part of the resolution.

Appointing legal services is another part of the Organization Resolution.  The most recent agreement with the City's Attorney, Frederic Knaak of Holstad & Knaak, PLC is effective November 1, 2021 through December 2023.  The monthly fee is $4,050.00.  Any time over the 10 hours included in the monthly fee is billed at a single rate of $150.00 per hour.  The firm of Eckberg Lammers was contracted with in January 2018, for prosecution services through 2021 (4 years).  The Police Department has reserved the right to extend the agreement through December 31, 2022.  The 2022 rates remain unchanged from the 2021 contract. The City's policy has been to review outside professional contracts on a three to five year basis; 2022 is the fifth year.  

Approximately 15 minutes

N/A

City Administrator
Administrative Services Director

To receive clear direction from the Council with regard to the appointments to committees, boards, authorities and other groups, designation of the official newspaper, the addendum to the Recording Secretary Service Agreement and appointments for legal services.