Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> Joint Development Authority <br />TCAAP Redevelopment Project <br />Joint Development Authority <br />TCAAP Redevelopment Project <br />AGENDA ITEM 5a <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br />DATE: March 17, 2025 <br /> <br />TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners <br /> <br />FROM: Director Jagoe and Ella Mitchell, Ramsey County <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Appoint JDA Attorneys <br /> <br />Per the Joint Powers Agreement and Bylaws, the JDA has the authority to contract for a variety of <br />services, including legal services. Since 2013, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, has served as the JDA <br />attorney. Ramsey County, as fiscal agent of the JDA, originally procured the services of Kennedy & <br />Graven and has held the contracts with the firm on behalf of the JDA since then. <br />Two attorneys from Kennedy & Graven have supported the JDA in recent years. Jenny Boulton has <br />advised the JDA since 2015 and provides critical historical knowledge of the project. Jenny provides <br />counsel on public finance and the negotiation of assistance for development. Rachel Tierney has <br />supported the work of the JDA since 2023 and has focused on the operational, municipal, and quasi- <br />judicial aspects of the JDA including interpretations of the Joint Powers Agreement and TCAAP <br />Redevelopment Code (TRC). <br />Jenny Boulton notified City and County staff that as of February 3, 2025, she was no longer with <br />Kennedy & Graven and had joined Kutak Rock LLP. In this notice, she informed County and City staff that <br />the firms had mutually determined that the JDA could choose to continue to work with both attorneys <br />at their respective firms, or the JDA could explore other options including continued representation <br />solely by Kennedy & Graven. <br />County and City staff recommend continuing to work with both Jenny Boulton, now at Kutak Rock LLP, <br />and Rachel Tierney, at Kennedy & Graven. Each attorney provides essential historical expertise and <br />continuity that are critical to keeping the project forward as development begins. The JDA should select <br />its preferred attorney(s) and authorize Ramsey County to continue to manage the contract(s) for legal <br />services for the JDA. <br /> <br />Attachment: <br />Agreement between Ramsey County and Kutak Rock, LLP <br /> <br /> <br />