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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 12, 2009 Page 16 Councilmember Ihlan opined, on the issue of whether to extend the existing legal services contracts, she was under the impression that the City Council continued in the middle of that discussion of proposals from the end of last year, with the Council having requested additional information from staff related to the City Manager's recommendation. Councilmember Ihlan questioned if this item had been noticed as a future discussion item for tonight's agenda; and offered her willingness to have further discussions on the policy itself, but not taking action on appointment of a new City Attorney and/or Prosecuting Attorney at tonight's meeting. City Manager Malinen advised that staff was not in receipt of any letter of resig- nation from the City's incumbent legal firms at this time; and was confident that cost savings could be negotiated with either or both of those firms following City Council ratification of his recommendation to retain the incumbents. City Manager Malinen advised that he had suggested a process for annual review of legal services in previous discussions, and suggested incorporating that into policy revisions. City Manager Malinen advised that staff had put together the Request for Council Action based on Councilmember Johnson's discussion requests and staffls per- ceived intent of those discussion points. Councilmember Pust advised that she was cognizant of two different issues: that of extending legal service contracts for a year, recognizing some advantages in reviewing the current RFP process that provided only four bidders; and another issue in a broader review of the exiting policy. Councilmember Pust opined. that she had concerns in making a decision on the two incumbent service providers without allowing the other bidders similar opportunities. Councilmember Pust recognized that both incumbent firms, when asked, had offered to keep their rates level for 2009; and suggested that the other providers needed to be provided fair consideration as well. Councilmember Pust advised that she had consistently noted that there was no reason for language that incumbent firms couldn't rebid after six years; acknowl- edged that the overall policy may need review and revision; and noted that the City Council was always obligated to get the best deal for the City in any situa- tions, even if that indicated retaining the same provider. Councilmember Pust suggested several changes to the existing policy, including striking language stat- ing that only designated City staff could be contacted; and striking language re- garding submitting RFP's if firms had already served the City for six years. Councilmember Roe acknowledged those revisions, and noted that he had several others as well if that was part of tonight's discussion. Councilmember Roe ques- tioned the contract period and/or annual fiscal review; noted that the current pol-