Title
Authorizing the City Attorney to execute a Special Counsel Retainer Agreement to retain Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett to represent the City in matters of geothermal franchising and other specialized areas as necessary.
Body
WHEREAS, Saint Paul City Charter § 5.02 authorizes the City, upon request of the City Attorney in the case of special or unusual circumstances, to appoint outside counsel to represent the City; and
WHEREAS, the City is in need of special counsel with specialized skills to provide legal services related to geothermal franchising (“Legal Services”); and
WHEREAS, Brian Grogan of the Moss & Barnett law firm is a local attorney who has demonstrated these specialized skills; and
WHEREAS, due to the special conditions regarding the need for specialized skills in the area of geo-thermal franchising, the City Attorney recommends the appointment of outside counsel for these matters; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney hereby requests and recommends the appointment of Brian Grogan of the Moss & Barnett law firm as outside counsel due to the above-articulated needs; and
WHEREAS, the CAO is hereby submitting to the City for approval a special counsel retainer agreement (“Special Counsel Retainer Agreement”) with Moss & Barnett, a Professional Association, for a duration of approximately six (6) months commencing June 5, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, with an optional one-year renewal period; a copy of the Special Counsel Retainer Agreement is on file in the office of the City Attorney; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED pursuant to Saint Paul City Charter § 5.02 and upon the request and recommendation of the City Attorney, the Council of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota does hereby appoint Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett as special counsel for the purpose of providing Legal Services and authorizes the appropriate City officials to enter into and execute the Special Counsel Retainer Agreement in the form on file in the office of the City Attorney. The City Attorney is directed and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this resolution.