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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 10, 2023 20 <br />included in deeds to homes that precluded non -white ownership and rentals. Today, enforcement <br />of those covenants is prohibited under Federal law; however, those covenants, while <br />unenforceable, may still exist in the original deed language. This is true for many parts of Ramsey <br />County, including Arden Hills. Tonight's action would be joining a number of cities and Ramsey <br />County to support an organization called Just Deeds (https://justdeeds.org/). Just Deeds works <br />with residents at no -cost to discharge these covenants from their Deeds. The attached resolution <br />has been provided by Just Deeds for consideration. If passed, the City will assist in marketing the <br />program to residents via its website, newsletter, and social media platforms. The City will also <br />work towards discharging any discriminatory covenants that may exist on its properties, too. <br />MOTION: Councilmember Fabel moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a <br />motion to adopt Resolution 2023-018, Condemning the Use of Discriminatory <br />Covenants, Discharging Discriminatory Covenants on City -Owned Property, <br />and Approving Participation in the Just Deeds Coalition. The motion carried <br />(5-0). <br />F. Request for Proposal for Attorney Services <br />City Administrator Perrault stated this was requested by a Councilmember for tonight's agenda. <br />The City Attorney, Joel Jamnik, has announced his retirement with cities he serves, but is <br />planning to serve Arden Hills through at least the end of the year. The last time the City did an <br />RFP for attorney services was in 2017. In 2017, the City chose to remain with both Campbell <br />Knutson as its Civil Attorney and Kelly and Lemmons as its Prosecuting Attorney (both firms still <br />serve the City in their respective capacities). Tonight's action would direct Staff to move forward <br />with drafting an updated RFP for attorney services for future approval by Council. <br />Councilmember Rousseau supported the City conducting an RFP for both civil and prosecuting <br />services. <br />MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to direct <br />staff to draft an updated Request for Proposal (RFP) for attorney services for <br />future Council approval. <br />Councilmember Fabel supported the City moving forward with RFP's for attorney services. He <br />indicated he would like the opportunity to have the Council being involved in review the RFP's. <br />The motion carried (5-0). <br />G. Northeast Youth and Family Services Agreement <br />City Administrator Perrault stated over the last two worksessions, Council has discussed re- <br />engaging with NYFS. Following a presentation by their President/CEO, Angela Dmello, Council <br />requested this item be brought forward. This would require a new agreement with NYFS. NYFS <br />uses a funding formula to determine each City's rate. For Arden Hills in 2023 it would have been <br />$22,215; however, as we are already into April, NYFS is willing to pro -rate the amount to <br />$16,661. Assuming we maintain the agreement in 2024, staff will be back to the full amount with <br />an estimated impact to the levy of $23,000 or a 0.49% levy increase. This amount is not budgeted <br />