Review City Attorney's Attendance at Council Meetings

Purpose:  To receive feedback from the City Council regarding the Attorney's attendance at Council meetings.   

Background: On January 11, 2016, the City Council approved extending the contract for Civil Legal Services with the law firm of Ratwik, Roszak, & Maloney, P.A. (RR&M), through December 31, 2017.  When the contract was reviewed previous to the January meeting, it was requested that the City Council and staff consider whether the Attorney's attendance was necessary at all Council meetings, or if an alternative retainer could be considered.  The alternative was that the Attorney would only attend Council meetings he was requested to attend, and one staff meeting per month versus two.  The monthly retainer would be reduced from $4,083 to $3,060; the flat fee for Council meeting attendance would be $500. 

Council agreed to the alternative of 'attendance on request', for a six-month trial basis.  It has now been six months and should be reviewed by Council. Over the past six months, the attorney was required to attend two Council meetings at a total cost of $1,000.  This means the City realized a savings during that period of about $5,000 on the legal contract.  The proposed 2017 budget reflects a savings in legal expenses in anticipation of the Attorney attending Council meetings only upon request. 
Staff and the Attorney are supportive of continuing the contract in this manner.


 

20 minutes

Attendance at meetings and general legal services needed by the City are paid from the General Fund.

City Administrator Ulrich

To receive Council feedback on how the City Attorney attendance on call alternative is working.  If Council is in agreement that the alternative is working well, the contract will continue as is.