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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 12, 2009 Page 18 Mayor Klausing suggested that the Council extend current legal services for one year, allowing additional time for review of the existing policy language and fur- ther discussions during that time. Mayor Klausing opined that Councilmembers had received the packet materials allowing for sufficient review time of this agenda item, and allowing them to make an informed decision. Councilmember Pust reiterated her opinion that the City was bound by statutorily- defined competitive bidding, allowing the same opportunity for all bidders; and questioned if the City was opening themselves up for process arguments from other bidders by extending the incumbents' contracts at tonight's meeting. Mayor Klausing agreed to disagree, opining that this was not the case for the low- est bidder, but acting on the City Manager's recommendation. Councilmember Roe opined the need for a less arbitrary way to achieve the objec- tives beyond the original policy language and six year limitation. Councilmember Roe noted that the City had the right to reject all bids; extend the current contracts for a year; and start from scratch going forward following further policy discus- sion. Klausing moved, Roe seconded, rejecting all bids for City Civil Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney services; and extension of current incumbent services for an additional one year period through 2009 at the same terms as those provided in 2008. Councilmember Ihlan requested that the City Council have access to all proposals before considering such action; opining that this would determine how she would argue the motion. City Manager Malinen provided copies of the original proposals and related mate- rials for Councilmember Ihlan's review. Recess Mayor Klausing recessed the meeting at 8:21 p.m. and reconvened at 8:34 p.m. Councilmember Ihlan, following her review of the proposals, spoke against the motion; and for the record, provided her summary of each firm's bid, and her per- ception of the performance of the incumbents. Councilmember Ihlan opined that the City Council had not given careful consideration to opportunities to save money, even with the current economic and budgetary concerns, and needed to seriously consider such savings in the competitive marketplace. Councilmember Ihlan further opined her concerns with performance of the attorney firms, specifi- cally the Civil attorney, and more specifically to their advise on various Twin Lakes redevelopment issues, and subsequent court decisions contrary to that ad- vice. Councilmember Ihlan opined that, by the City being sued by their own resi- dents on Twin Lakes issues, as well as the Acorn Road situation, with the Court