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Regulax City Council Meetin.g Monday, January 12, 2009 Page 1G Councilmembe� Ihlan opined, on the issue of whether to extend the existing legal services cantr�cts, 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 additionaI information from staff related to the City Manager's recomrnendation. Councilmember Ihlan questioned if this item had been noticed as a future discussion item for tonight's agenda; and offered her willingness ta have further discussions on the policy itself, but not taking action on appoint�nent of a new City Attorney ar�dlor Prosecuting Attorney at tonight's n�eeting. Ci�y Manager Malinen advised that staff was not in receipt of any letter of resig- nation from the City's incumbent Iegal firms at this time; and was confident that cast savzngs c�uld be negoiiated with ei�her or both o�' those firms following City Council ratification of his recomrnendation to retain tY�e inc�nbents. City Manager Malinen advised that he had suggested a process for annual review of legal servicES in previous discussi�ns, and suggested incorporating that into policy revisions. City Manager Malinen advised that staff had put together the Request for Cauncil Aciion based on Counciln7erriber J'ohrzson's discussion requests and staf�'s per- ceived intent af thasE ciiscussion points. Councilmember P�st advf sed that she was cognrzant af two different issues: that af extending legal service contracts far a year, recognizing some advantages in reviewing the current RFP process tl�at provided only four bidders; and anather issue in a broader review of the exiting policy. Councilmember Pust opined that she had concerns in making a decision on the twa incumbent service praviders without allowing the other bidders similar opportunities. Council�nember Pust recognized thai both incumbent firrns, when asked, had affered to keep their rates level for 2009; and suggested t�at the other providers needed to be provided fair consideration as well. Councilmember Pust advised that she had consis�ently noted that there was no reason for language that incumbeni firms couldn't rebid after six years; ac�owl- edged that the overall palicy may need re�view and revision; and noted that the City Council was al�ays oi�ligated to get th� be�st deal for ihe City in any s�ittza- tions, even if that indicated retaining the same provider. CounciImember Pust suggestec� s�everal changes to the� e�xi�sti�g policy, including strfking langu�ge 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. Councilmennber Roe acknowledgec� t�io�e revisions; and noted tihat he had several others as w�ll if that was part of tonight's discussion. Counc�lmember Roe ques- tioned the contract pertad ancllor annual fiscal review; noted that the current pol-