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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 12, 2009 Page 17 icy applied to a whole range of professional service contracts, and care needed to be given that-those be considered in the discussion; and that the current policy had numerous inconsistencies that needed to be addressed. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of a best value for legal services, based on review and performance criteria versus achievement, and suggested that the dis- cussion include: 1)What purpose are we trying to achieve? and 2) How to imple- ment those purposes. Councilmember Johnson noted the need to review language proposed to be stricken under the purpose statement to provide for an annual review of profes- sional services. Further discussion included terms of current legal contracts having expired at the end of 2008; and fairness to all firms having bid. Mayor Klausing opined that negotiating with current providers on a one year ex- tension was appropriate. Councilmember Ihlan, on the issue of extending contracts, opined that it was completely inappropriate to take that action tonight without additional informa- tion available and further review of the other proposals. Councilmember Ihlan, on the issue of policy, noted that the Council had repeat- edly stated their desire to achieve the best deal for the City; and opined that to do so required vigorous competition in the open market. Councilmember Ihlan ques- tioned perceptions in the legal community and reasons for so few bids being re- ceived for legal services, or not wanting to bid against incumbents due to percep- tions of entrenched relationships or insider arrangements and politicized deci- sions. Councilmember Ihlan further opined that by opening bids for other firms, and limiting years of service, it allowed for market competition and ensured pub- lic confidence through a competitive, open market system, and provided fresh perspectives. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of revised policy language that incumbents could rebid after a one year hiatus. Councilmember Pust advised that she could support a one year extension with current legal providers, if she were assured that the process was fair to other bid- ders; thus her recommendation that action not be taken at tonight's meeting to al- low all bidders equal opportunity, but recognizing that the best deal for the City is not always based on price, but also quality and expertise of the services provided. Councilmember Pust shared concerns that enough providers were not bidding, suggesting that this indicated the current process and policy needed to be re- viewed; however, she also recognized that government clients were served by a subset of attorneys willing to do this less profitable work.