Title
Authorizing the City Attorney to retain the law firm of Miller and Van Eaton to represent the City in matters of cable television franchising, telecommunications and other specialized areas as necessary.
Body
WHEREAS, Saint Paul City Charter ยง 5.02 permits the City, upon recommendation of the City Attorney and in the case of special or unusual circumstances, to appoint outside counsel to represent the City; and
WHEREAS, in order for the City of Saint Paul, through its elected and appointed officials, to fully consider and take action on cable television franchising, franchise renewal negotiations, telecommunications and other specialized areas as necessary; and
WHEREAS, because of the special conditions regarding the need for specialized skills to evaluate and pursue these actions by the City Attorney, the City Attorney recommends the appointment of outside counsel for these matters; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposal for these services was issued by Contracts and Analysis Services, and responses were analyzed and applicants were interviewed; and
WHEREAS, the process resulted in the City Attorney's recommendation that Miller and Van Eaton (Joe Van Eaton, Esq., principal consultant) be retained to represent the City in these matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City Attorney is hereby authorized to retain Miller and Van Eaton (Joseph Van Eaton, Esq., principal consultant) to represent the City in these matters under a separate legal services agreement which shall be consistent with the City Attorney's Office Policy Regarding Fees for Legal Services by Outside Counsel and the City Attorney's Office Policy and Procedure for Retaining Outside Legal Counsel. Legal service fees for the said firm are to be taken from the approved budget set by Council for this initiative.