6.5. SR 02-07-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item 6.5. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Mayor and City Council Pat Klaers, City Adm:1~/f.a--- February 7, 2005 y' DATE: SUBJECT: Consider Extension of Internship Program - City Prosecutor's Office The City Prosecuting Attorney Chris Johnson has advised me that the law clerk - internship program has been working out very well and has been beneficial to both the city and to Law Clerk Clarissa Christian. As you may recall, the City Council approved entering into an agreement with William Mitchell School of Law for an internship program in June 2004. Since Clarissa has joined the city she has been gaining valuable hands-on experience and, as noted in the attached letter from Chris Johnson, the city has been receiving the benefit of her work. The plan for the internship was to have the position run through April with the city paying 25% and William Mitchell paying 75%. However, the estimate for funds available from William Mitchell was incorrect and we have recendy been notified that the program needs to end as there is no more funding available from William Mitchell. The city would still like to have Ms. Christian help us through at least April. Funding for this program is available through the city forfeiture fund and this is the funding source we used for our 25% match over the past seven months or so. The cost to the city for $13.00 per hour for 20 hours per week with no benefits is approximately $4,500.00. If this is acceptable to the City Council, then we would come back in mid-April and provide the Council with an update and discuss options at that time. It should be noted that while Ms. Christian takes the law bar at the end of July, the results of the test are not known until October. Currendy, Sherburne County provides back up services to the City Prosecutor's Office. Staff met with the County Attorney in November and was advised that this back up service may not be available to the city on a long-term basis. The city has been advised in writing by the County Attorney that we need to develop alternative plans for 2006 and beyond as there may not be resources available at the County to continue providing this back up service for the city. In this regard, city staff is looking at various alternatives for back up services but nothing has been decided at this time.