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<br />cases on certain days and providing some backup. This would likely be an option for in the short term; <br />however, because the caseload is expected to increase as the population increases, it is not believed to be <br />a long term solution to the city's coverage issues. <br /> <br />The proposal from Chris Johnson proposes that the city maintain an in-house legal department for <br />prosecution services and the prosecutor's work week be reduced to four days per week, resulting in <br />approximately $18,000 in savings. Chris has been able to get the Court to schedule hearings on <br />Wednesdays. Other coverage would be provided by the Sherburne County Attorney's office or Tom <br />Fitzpatrick of Randall, Goodrich, and Fitzpatrick P.L.e. when the city prosecutor is not available. On the <br />day that Chris is not working at the city, he would provide coverage to Fitzpatrick's firm. While this may <br />be a viable short term option, as the caseload increases, Chris would have to resume a five day week, <br />eliminating the coverage from Fitzpatrick. Eventually, as the workload increases, we would probably <br />need to hire a second attorney and/or more staff. <br /> <br />There may be benefit in maintaining the current in-house legal department such as better communication <br />and the ability to utilize the attorney to best fit the priorities of the city. Whether these benefits outweigh <br />the likely additional cost needs to be decided. <br /> <br />After reviewing the options and proposals carefully, the committee is recommending that the Council <br />interview the attorneys representing the Randall, Goodrich, and Fitzpatick and Hawkins and Associates <br />firms before making a fmal decision on whether to contract for services or to continue to maintain an <br />in-house legal department. The committee did not feel that the proposal for an in-house four/fifths time <br />attorney was an option that worked well for the city. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br /> <br />Attachments <br />· Proposals for Civil and Prosecuting Services <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />The City Council is asked to consider the committee's recommendations as follows: 1. Civil Legal Service <br />- retain Peter Beck, Gray, Plant and Mooty as city attorney. 2. Prosecuting Attorney Service - interview <br />the law firms of William G. Hawkins and Associates and Randall, Goodrich, and Fitzpatrick P.L.e. A <br />fmal decision on whether to retain an in-house prosecuting department will be made after these <br />interviews. <br /> <br />Council Action <br /> <br />Motion by _ <br /> <br />Second by _ <br /> <br />Vote <br /> <br />Follow Up <br /> <br />s: \Council\Lori\2006\Attomey Proposals 112006 v2.doc <br />