Adopt Resolution #21-001 Approving the 2021 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. Discussion was held regarding 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 to 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 re-attached 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 - ABC Newspapers - 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 ABC Newspapers states the rates for 2021  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, 2021 (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, Joseph Langel of Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. was effective through December 2020, the updated agreement is effective January 2021 through December 2022 and includes the following changes:  Regular hourly rate of $155.00, up from $150.00, litigation rate of $175.00 (not previously defined and seldom used), development rate of $185.00 (no change) and the retainer rate of $3215.00 per month in 2021 (no change)  and $3375.00 in 2022. The firm of Eckberg Lammers was contracted with in January 2018, for prosecution services through 2021.  The City's policy has been to review outside professional contracts on a three to five year basis. 

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Staff recommends adopting the attached resolution.

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-001 for the 2021 Council Organization