04-585Council �le # o�/ sAs
Green Sheet # 3017816
RESOLUTION
CI"f'Y OF SAIN�PAUL, MINNESOTA
Presented
�
1 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul (Dennis Flaherty contact) executed a contract with Winthrop & Weinstine (John
2 Knapp contact) whereby the City agreed to pay the firm $10,000 and expenses for the "preparation, revision, and
3 analysis of legislation authorizing construction of a professional baseball stadium in St. Paul;" and
4 WI�REAS, the services provided to the City aze purported to be lobbying in their nature; but the service provider is
5 a Member of the Minnesota Baz and the letter confirming the agreement listed services which are legal in nature;
6 therefore, this service provision may be subject to City Charter Sec. 5.02., pertaining to the powers and duties of the
7 city attorney:
8 "The city attorney shail represent the city in all causes in which the city is interested and shall have full and
9 complete charge of the legal business of the city. No o�cer of the caty may retain or fee arry other attorney,
10 provided, that in any case of special or unusual circumsfances or in any case where fhe city attorney by
I 1 reason of interest cannot represent the city, the council, upon the request of the city attorney, may by
12 resolution appoint andfrx special counsel's compensation. "(Emphasis added)
13 'WHEREAS the City Council has had in place fot all of 2004 an Ad Hoc Legislative Agenda Committee which has
14 been in steady communication with the Mayor's Office and the City's Lobbyist on state legislative initiatives, as well
15 as the baseball stadiura proposal — as that situation warranted; and
16 WHEREAS, the Council was not informed about the City either securing an additional lobbyist on this issue, nor was
17 it asked to approve the use of outside Counsel; now therefore be it
18 RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby directs Council Research to conduct an investigation of this
19 contract hetween the City of Saint Paul and Winthrop & Weinstine, and that this investigation include: 1) a review of
20 the "deliverables" specified in die contract; 2) a review of the itemized bill for services rendered; 3) a review of
21 applicable state and local laws pertaining to lobbying activities and provision of legal services; and be it
22 RESOLVED, fliat the City Council directs Council Research to present it with preliminary written findings no later
23 than June 16, 2004 which include a recommendation on whether a formal lega] opinion should be sought on whether
24 the Charter�rocess for seeking outside Counsel was ignared.
Requested by Department o£
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Fortn Approved by �
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Approved by Mayo�
Adoption Certified by Council Secretary
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By: �
Approved by Ma r: Date
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Adopted by Council: Date /ih� ���dp�
� Green Sheet Green Sheet
co -ca�o�
cw�acr Peesa, s Piwne:
nharcia Moertnond
266-557�
0&JUN-04
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Assign
Number
For
Routi�g
Oeder
�5�-585
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Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet
Total # of Sigmature Pages _(Clip AII Locations for Signature)
Green Sheet NO: 30'17816
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2 ' C9erk
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Actlon Requested:
Direc[ing Council Research to conduct an investigation of the conhact executed between the City of St. Paul and Winthrop &
Weinstine for the prepazation, revision, and analysis of legislation authorizing construction of a professional baseball stadium in Sf.
Paul, and to present its findings to the Council no latet than June 16, 2004.
idations: Approve (A) or R
Planni� Commission
CIB Committee
Civil Service Commission
Must Answer the Foilowing
1. Has Mis person/firm ever worked under a coMrad for this departmeM?
Yes No
2. Has this persoNfirm ever bee.� a cily employee?
Yes No
3. Does this person/firtn possess a skill nM nortnally possessed by any
current city employee?
Yes No
ExpWtn ail y� answers an separate sheet and attach to green sheet
Inlfiating Problem, Issu�, Opportunity (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
Advantages H Approved:
DisadvaMages H Approved:
Disadvarhages H Not Approved:
iYar�saction:
Funding Source:
CosGRevenue Budgeted:
Activity Number:
Financial lrrfortnation:
(Explain)