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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 02-07 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA GENERAL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 7, 2000 CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a general work session at Brooklyn Center City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Debra Hilstrom, Kay Lasman, Ed Nelson, and Robert Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Assistant City Manager Jane Chambers, and Recording Secretary Maria Rosenbaum. INTERVIEW WITH KENNEDY AND GRAVEN Present from Kennedy and Graven were Charles LeFevere, John (Mac) LeFevre, and Corrine Thomson. Mr. LeFevere outlined the firm qualifications and his background with the firm. Mr. LeFevre and Ms. Thomson also discussed briefly their practice areas within the firm. Mr. LeFevere informed the Council that the recent survey that was conducted by City staff has helped with issues the firm was not aware of and would like the opportunity to continue being the City Attorney for the City of Brooklyn Center. He believes communication was an issue and informed the Council that a project status report had been started to help with the communication issue. Councilmember Lasman asked Mr. LeFevere if in the 13 years of serving as the City's attorney he had gone through a process like this. Mr. LeFevere responded that there was one time when a review was done sometime in the 90's. Mayor Kragness asked if the lack of communication was from both sides. Mr. LeFevere responded that there is no one at fault and that the lack of communication is an issue that can be dealt with now that both the firm and staff are aware of the issue. 02/07/00 -1- Councilmember Nelson asked about a conflict of interest if an issue were to arise that the City of Brooklyn Center is jointly working on with another City and Mr. LeFevere represented that City also. Mr. LeFevere responded that he would not be able to represent either City if a conflict of interest were to arise. Councilmember Peppe asked about the number of cities that Mr. LeFevere would be representing at one time. Mr. LeFevere responded that he will only be representing three cities. Mr. LeFevere, Mr. LeFevre, and Ms. Thomson thanked the Council. INTERVIEW WITH JENSEN, BELL, CONVERSE AND ERICKSON, P.A. Present from Jensen, Bell, Converse and Erickson, P.A. were Roger Jensen, Mitchell Converse, and Caroline Bell Beckman. Mr. Jensen outlined the firm qualifications and his background with the firm. He also stated that the firm is very interested in representing the City of Brooklyn Center, which would be the first Hennepin County city that they would be representing. Mayor Kragness asked if there would be a difference in working with Hennepin County. Mr. Jensen responded that the laws are the same and that there would be no problems working in Hennepin County. Councilmember Lasman asked if the firm had represented plaintiffs in actions brought against cities or counties. Mr. Jensen informed the Council that there had been a couple of instances; however, not a regular part of their business. Councilmember Hilstrom asked if the firm represented defendants in actions brought against them by cities or counties, including eminent domain actions. Mr. Jensen responded that there is nothing recent in the files and that they have a considerable amount of expertise in condemnation work. Mayor Kragness asked if the firm does criminal defense work. Ms. Beckman informed the Council that occasionally they will help someone; however, they try to stay away from criminal defense work. Councilmember Peppe asked who would be the primary provider of services and be designated as the City's attorney. Mr. Jensen responded that he would be the primary attorney and that Ms. Beckman would start to attend more after her return from maternity leave. Mr. Converse would also be able to fill in at any time. A meeting after each Council meeting would take place or a memorandum to inform each other of what is happening. Councilmember Nelson asked about their relationship with the City of Roseville. Mr. Jensen informed the Council that when Mr. Bell retired the City of Roseville went with another firm based on their policy that was rotating many professional services. He did not believe there was a performance issue. 02/07/00 -2- Councilmember Hilstrom asked how deadlines would be met. Mr. Jensen responded that they h ave a computer based tracking system and log assignments right after receiving them. Mr. Jensen, Mr. Converse, and Ms. Beckman thanked the Council. COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF INTERVIEWS Council discussed the interviews and which firm should be chosen to serve as the City's attorney along with the consideration of un- bundling some legal services. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that a resolution would need to be approved by the Council to designate the City Attorney chosen and to address the un- bundling services. The language could be written to address any concerns the Council had with the un- bundling services. After further discussion it was the consensus of the Council to select Kennedy and Graven as the City's attorney and to authorize Mr. McCauley to draft a resolution to designate Kennedy and Graven as the City's attorney and to incorporate language for un- bundling services for one year. A calendar date would be set for the Council to review these two issues in one year. Councilmember Nelson requested receiving the tracking report from Kennedy and Graven. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Hilstrom. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayor pro Tem 02/07/00 -3-