Adopt Resolution #24-001 Approving the 2024 Council Organization

Purpose: To adopt the annual resolution appointing Councilmembers to Committees or other groups as well as designating the City's Official Newspaper, renewing contracts with TimeSaver Off-Site Recording Secretarial, Inc. and naming the firms the City will use for Legal Services.  

Background: The City Council met in work session earlier this evening and discussed the organizational resolution. The discussion determined who would serve on which committee or other group, the City's official newspaper designation, designation of the law firms the City will use for legal services, and the agreement with TimeSaver Off-site Recording Secretarial, Inc. The resolution as posted in this case, prior to this evening's work session may change based on discussion during the work session.  Any needed changes will be made immediately following the work session and the resolution will be updated prior to adoption this evening. 

Additional Information as provided during tonight's work session: 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 the City. The proposal from Adams Publishing Group states the rates for 2024 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, 2024 (attached). The addendum shows a less than 5.25 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, 2023 through October, 31 2025. The monthly fee is $4,150.00. 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 for prosecution services; the current agreement is effective through December 31, 2027.

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Staff recommends adopting the attached resolution.

Motion to adopt Resolution #24-001 for the 2024 Council Organization