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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 20, 2012 8 <br /> policy. The City may deviate from its policy as long as the reasons for not following the policy <br /> are provided. <br /> Ms. Kvilvang provided ten basic assumptions that have been made that would be included in the <br /> policy. She noted that the assumptions are typical of what the majority of communities in <br /> Minnesota use in their policies. She stated that she would like to discuss the chart that was <br /> provided in the handouts. She noted that the matrix is broken down into commercial and housing, <br /> and there are two criteria that are required per statute; they are job creation and hourly rate/wages. <br /> Ms. Kvilvang noted that there are twenty three exemptions to what is considered a business <br /> subsidy. The two most common exemptions are housing development (because that does not <br /> affect job creation) and redevelopment. If the cost to acquire the land, to do any environmental <br /> remediation, to relocate anyone, or do any demo is more than 70% of current assessed valuation, it <br /> is exempt from the business subsidy. <br /> Discussion ensued regarding the matrix and the types of criteria that the Council may want to <br /> consider for usage in the TIF ranking system. Council consensus is that Ms. Kvilvang should take <br /> the feedback provided tonight, in addition to gathering information regarding what others are <br /> using, to draft a policy that can be reviewed at a future meeting. <br /> F. City Attorney RFP Update <br /> City Administrator Klaers stated that there have been some concerns regarding the City <br /> Attorney changing law firms. Staff has met with the new law firm, Kelly & Lemmons, and was <br /> impressed with the municipal experience and backup support that they offer. Staff has also been <br /> impressed with the work of Michael Norton with Kennedy& Graven on the TCAAP project. <br /> City Administrator Klaers noted that it is probably a good time to seek a Request for Proposal <br /> (RFP) for legal services from a limited number of law firms. <br /> Councilmember Tamble inquired if there is an outstanding contract for legal services with the <br /> current City Attorney. <br /> City Administrator Klaers stated that there is not. <br /> Councilmember Holden questioned if the legal services sought would cover all types of legal <br /> issues. <br /> City Administrator Klaers stated that the legal services would cover both civil and criminal <br /> needs and the City would be looking to contract for some legal services billed out as a retainer <br /> rather than hourly. <br /> Councilmember Holden inquired what the City of Shoreview is doing for their legal services. <br /> City Administrator Klaers explained that he has heard that they are considering entering into a <br /> short-term contract with current City Attorney, Jerry Filla. <br />