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<br />City Council Study Session - 07/18/05 <br />Minutes - Page 17 <br /> <br />Auditor (Kern DeWenter and Viere) will complete their six years <br />of service to the City. Mr. Beets noted that staff was preparing <br />RFP's for City Attorney, City Prosecutor, and City Auditor <br />services, pending the practical and policy direction of the City <br />Council as to whether the current firms should be included in the <br />RFP mailing soliciting their services, or sending them a thank <br />you for their service to-date, but notifying them that they were <br />not able to apply at this time. <br /> <br />Mr. Beets provided an analysis via staff report dated July 18, <br />2005, with Councilmember Maschka concurring with Mr. Beets' <br />research from his historical background on the City Council. <br />The rationale in changing service contractors at least every six <br />years, appeared to be create an opportunity for other finns to <br />provide service to the City and preventing the City from <br />becoming too reliant or too close to one firm. <br /> <br />Discussion included whether or not to solicit applications from <br />the current service contractors. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets advised that he felt comfortable making <br />recommendation to the City Council on the cost and quality of <br />service, but in the final analysis, the City Council had to make <br />the final decision. Mr. Beets opined that a firm should not be <br />chosen on cost alone, but that availability of a firm was a key <br />factor, noting that the current attorney held office hours at City <br />Hall on a weekly basis, which was very important to staff and <br />residents. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined that professional services policy <br />revisions for all services were necessary and should provide for <br />more City Council control over larger consulting contracts as <br />well; and that this appeared to be a good juncture to do so. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder opined that, he interpreted the policy <br />to apply to all professional services, and should continue to be <br />followed. Councilmember Schroeder further opined that he was <br />supportive of bringing fresh ideas into play after six years, which <br />provided one extension over the original contract. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing opined his agreement with the conclusions of <br />