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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 8, 2006 <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />enhance the City's case if they added the representation of an attorney who specialized in <br />construction law. <br /> <br />She indicated they had received references from the arbitrator, metro building officials, and <br />expert witnesses. She was recommending attorney Jeffrey W. Coleman be retained to assist Mr. <br />Filla with this matter. <br /> <br />She noted the services were more expensive than what they typically pay for legal representation. <br />However, she believed this was a case where Mr. Coleman's specialized expertise would greatly <br />increase the chances for a successful arbitration. In addition, staff would work with Mr. Filla to <br />keep legal expenses as low as possible and reasonable, looking for alternatives for accomplishing <br />tasks wherever possible. She stated they would also make every attempt to recoup any expenses <br />possible via the arbitration process. <br /> <br />She recommended Council authorize retaining Jeffrey W. Coleman for legal services related to <br />the City Hall arbitration case, at a rate of $250 per hour, not to exceed $50,000. <br /> <br />She stated Mr. Coleman was present at this meeting to answer any questions. <br /> <br />Jeffrey W. Coleman introduced himself and summarized his qualifications for the Council. He <br />stated he appreciated the opportunity to assist Arden Hills in this arbitration. <br /> <br />MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Pellegrin seconded a <br />motion to approve Jeffrey W. Coleman for legal services related to the <br />City Hall Arbitration Case in an amount not to exceed $50,000. The <br />motion carried unanimously (4-0). <br /> <br />F. Motion to Auurove a Variance Extension for Planninl! Case 03-19: Carolvn and <br />Carl Mohn <br /> <br />Mr. Lehnhoff stated Carolyn Mohn, applicant, had requested the Council consider an additional <br />six month extension to a variance that was approved on August 25,2003. <br /> <br />He stated on August 25, 2003, the City Council approved a variance to allow a 9-foot <br />encroachment on the shoreline setback at 3459 Siems Court. The approval was subject to two <br />conditions. The first condition required the applicant to obtain all necessary building permits <br />from the Building Official prior to the issuance of a building permit. The second condition <br />required approval from the Millllesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR did <br />review the application and did not have any objections to the proposed plan. <br /> <br />He indicated typically, a variance expired one year from the date of approval if the applicant did <br />not file for a building permit within that period of time. Due to health related issues, Ms. Mohn <br />requested a one year extension for the variance in August 2004. The City Council approved a <br />one-year extension to the variance on September 13, 2004, which expired in September, 2005. <br />