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Regular City Co�ncil Meeting Monday, January 1�, 2009 Page 17 icy app�ied to a whol� range of prafessianal 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 t� be addressed. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of a best value for legal services, based on review and performance criteria versus acY�ievement, and suggested ihat the drs- cussron include: 1)What purpose are we trying to achieve? and 2) How to imple- ment those purposes. Councilmember Jol�son noted the need to review Ianguage proposed to be stricken under the purpose statement to provide for an annual review of profes- sional services. Further discussion included ter�ns of current legal contracts having expired at t1�e end of 2008; and fairness to all firms having bid.. Mayor Klausing opined that negotiating with current providers on a one year ex- tensian was appropriate. CounciIrnember Ihlan, on the issue o� �xtending contracts, opined th�t it was completely inappropriate to take that action tonight without additiional informa- tion available and further revi�w of the other praposals. Councilmember Ihlan, on the issue of palicy, noted tilat the Council had repeat- edly sta�ed their desire to acYii�ve the best deal for the City; and opined that to do so required vigorous competition in the open market. Councilmember Ihlan ques- tioned percepiions in the legal community and reasons far so few bids being re- ceived for legal services, or not wanting to bid against incurnbents due to percep- tions af entrenched relationships or i�sider arrangemenfs and politicized deci- sions. Councilmember Ihlan further opined that by opening bids for other fir�ns, and limiting years �f service, it allowed for market competrtion and ensured p�b- Iic confidence through a competrtiive, open z�narket system, anc� pro�ided fresh perspectives. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of revised polic� laiiguage 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 iair to other bid- ders; t�us her recommendation that action nat be taken at tonight's meeting to al- low all bidders equal oppor�unity; but recognizing that the best deal for the City is not always based on price, but also qualit� and expertise of the services provided. Councilmecnber Pusti shared concerns that enough providers were not bidding, suggesting that this indicated the current process ar�d policy needed to b� re- viewed; howe�er, she also recognized that government clients were served by a subset oi attorneys willin� ta do this less prafitable work.