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engaged for more than two consecutive three year terms; and basing her concern on actual experience in seeking bids for City Attorney and/or City Prosecutor services and a process discouraging open competition from firms not wanting to bid against established firms due to their desire to preserve their professional relationships. Acting Mayor Roe noted that he had previously spoken in support of the six years and out provision, based on the concerns expressed by Councilmember Ihlan. However, he had heard the concerns expressed by others about that provision during the recent City Attorney and Prosecutor contract process, and now expressed support for a process without the six-and-out provision, as long as there was a market-place point of view and best value approach, and emphasized an open process. Acting City Manager/Finance Director Miller suggested Councilmembers consider, under added language to the policy section, that subsequent or extended contracts with the same firm be allowed, since there was a potential for more cost-savings to the City through negotiating a bid extension rather than a full-blown new contract and related expenses to the provider in submitting a new proposal (i.e., CPA firms) and built into the proposal to the City's detriment and increased costs. Further discussion included whether to include flexibility in the policy to allow deviation at the City Council level. City Manager Bill Malinen City Manager Malinen addressed whether to include a monetary threshold for staff to determine when to implement the policy and when administrative discretion was sufficient for day-to-day quotes by phone or in writing. Councilmember Pust suggested that the intent of the proposed language was to allow the City Manager that discretion, rather than adherence to a set threshold, depending on economies and market conditions, and under applicable State Statute; with the City Manager using that discretion and providing frequent reporting to the City Council. Acting Mayor Roe noted that there was some precedent in staff using their discretion (i.e., building maintenance and auditors); and suggested further consideration and review by Councilmembers to determine if the proposed language addressed the Council's intent. Councilmember Pust noted that the current language did not provide for such specificity either and no problems had become apparent to-date. Councilmember Johnson thanked Councilmember Pust for her review of the Policy and suggested language.