CC_Minutes_2009_0330 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 30, 2009 Page 9 Mr. Malinen asked that the process be improved to avoid similar situations as that ex- perienced last year in that selection process. Councilmember Ihlan opined that the policy needed to be clarified as to the hiring situations for the City Manager and City Council in Statutory Plan B Cities. City Attorney Anderson concurred with City Manager Malinen's interpretation of statutory law, noting that previous case law and legal opinions supported that inter- pretation of State Statute; and that there was no distinction between the City Attorney and City Prosecuting Attorney. Councilmember Pust questioned why, when the existing policy discusses broader ap- pointments, that only the three service providers are the focus of this discussion; and suggested that perhaps the policy language needed be specific to only those three, or that the discussion should be broader and apply to all consultants, as indicated by the existing policy. City Manager Malinen noted that when staff sought RFP's for professional services, most were for project-specific items and term limits were not applicable; however, with the services of the Auditor, City Attorney, and Prosecuting Attorney, their ser- vices were for multiple years. City Manager Malinen, based on his experience in Roseville, opined that even with relatively smaller contracts, the process was probably consistent with this policy, and a separate policy related to those contracts was probably not indicated. However, Mr. Malinen noted that application of the term limits for these specific three service pro- viders seemed to be the area needing clarification; noting that the City was already into April of this year of the one year contract extensions with existing firms to pro- vide those services. Mayor Klausing opined, as to specific language, it was his understanding that it was the City's desire, and it made policy sense, to bring in new firms on occasion. Mayor Klausing noted that the apparent objective and effort of the existing policy was the need for a balance of continuity and a professional firm knowing the City and staff and City operations as one goal; while recognizing another policy objective for the benefits of a fresh perspective with turnover. Mayor Klausing opined that the exist- ing language was cumbersome; and proposed language similar to the following: 1) Councilmember Johnson's proposed language as indicated on the proposed draft provided in the packet, with language in lines 30 - 33 stricken, in addition to striking the next sentence as well. 2) Possibly substituting some other language in its place to determine whether to re- new professional services contracts; charging the City Manager to consider bene- fits of fresh perspectives; and whether such policy language was necessary or in- trinsic.