Title
Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of a Master Legal Services Agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP, Citywide
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WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the "HRA") is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development or redevelopment activities under Minnesota law and the HRA is authorized to engage in activities relating to (a) housing projects and development, (b) removal and prevention of the spread of conditions of blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) disposition of land for private redevelopment, and (e) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community, and to engage in the aforementioned activities when these needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative and which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods; and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in Minn Stat Section 469.002, Subd. 14; and
WHEREAS, currently the law firms of Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, and Ballard Spahr LLP are the only outside law firms that are providing bond counsel and related public finance legal services (“Legal Services”) for the HRA in its development and redevelopment activities; and
WHEREAS, to update the panel of outside law firms, the City Attorney’s Office (“CAO”) researched interest and qualifications for Legal Services for both the HRA and the City of Saint Paul (“City”), a home rule charter city under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the CAO evaluated qualifications and based on their evaluation and interviews of various law firms, the CAO recommends to the HRA Board of Commissioners to engage the law firm of Ballard Spahr LLP; and
WHEREAS, the CAO is hereby submitting to the HRA Board of Commissioners for approval a master legal services agreement (“Master Legal Services Agreement”) with Ballard Spahr LLP for a duration of approximately twelve (12) months commencing January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, with an optional one-year renewal period; a copy of the Master Legal Services Agreement is on file in the office of the HRA Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, the HRA Board of Commissioners finds a public purpose for the actions taken in connection with this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council is also being requested to take action with respect to the approval of Ballard Spahr LLP to perform Legal Services for the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota that:
1. The HRA Board of Commissioners hereby approves the law firm of Ballard Spahr LLP to perform Legal Services for the HRA.
2. The HRA Board of Commissioners hereby approves and authorizes the execution of the Master Legal Services Agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP in the form on file in the office of the HRA Executive Director and authorizes and directs the execution of this agreement by the HRA Chair/Commissioner, HRA Executive Director, and Director of Office of Financial Services.
3. The HRA Executive Director, staff and legal counsel for the HRA are directed and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution.