04-28-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 28, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 13 (14. LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, Continued) Walsh stated in his view the legal advice that has been given so far and the direction the Mayor has taken on these issues has been poor. Walsh stated the request for additional money is questionable and that the City Council should perhaps look at hiring a new city attorney given the number of issues that have occurred in the community that has cost the taxpayers to incur their own legal fees to have things enforced. McMillan stated in her view the City has received very good legal advice and that the City Attorney is allowing the City Council to determine whether his rates should be raised based upon his performance. McMillan indicated she appreciates the fact that legal fees have not been raised in six years. Levang stated she would echo the comments of the Mayor. Levang noted the City had a number of issues with the LMCC and that they greatly depended on the advice of the City Attorney. Levang commented it was a hard-fought battle and that she has nothing bad to say about the legal work that was performed. Levang noted the Lakeview application was also a difficult matter and that she appreciated the legal guidance that was given to the City as well as the prompt responses to e-mails and phone calls. Levang stated she stands 100 percent behind Soren Mattick and that she is glad he is on the City’s team. Levang moved, Anderson seconded, to approve the Agreement for Legal Services Agreement between the City of Orono and Campbell, Knutson, effective January 1, 2015. Loftus stated Staff also recommends approval of the rate increase. Loftus noted on the night of the officer shooting, the City Attorney was available during the middle of the night and early Saturday morning to answer questions. Loftus commented she does not know if that is typical for a City Attorney. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *15. LICENSES Garbage and Refuse Collector’s License 1. Baldy Sanitation 5906 Henry Street Maple Plain, MN 55359 Levang moved, Anderson seconded, to approve the above listed license. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 16. CLAIMS/BILLS Walsh noted there was a $35,000 lawn mower that had no detail attached to it. Loftus stated that item was approved by the City Council approximately one month ago and will be used at the golf course.