Title
Authorizing the City Attorney to amend the scope of legal services under its current agreement with Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett and authorizing Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett to represent the City in upcoming Comcast cable franchise negotiations.
Body
WHEREAS, Saint Paul City Charter § 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, specialized skills, knowledge, and expertise are required for the City of Saint Paul, through its elected and appointed officials, to fully consider and take action on cable television franchising, telecommunications, and other specialized areas; and
WHEREAS, Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett have demonstrated these specialized skills, knowledge, and expertise for many years and recently concluded successful franchise negotiations on behalf of the City with CenturyLink; and
WHEREAS, through the passage of RES 16-273 the Saint Paul City Council authorized the City Attorney to retain Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett to represent the City in certain matters of cable television franchising, telecommunications and other specialized areas as necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City will soon begin negotiations with Comcast regarding its cable franchise, and will require specialized advice and guidance throughout said negotiations; and
WHEREAS, because of the need for specialized advice and guidance throughout the upcoming negotiations, the City Attorney recommends utilizing outside counsel services; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's recommendation is that the scope of legal services presently provided by Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett be amended to authorize Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett to represent the City in the upcoming Comcast cable franchise negotiations. now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Saint Paul City Council, as follows:
1. The Council hereby authorizes the Saint Paul City Attorney to amend the scope of the legal services agreement with Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett consistent with this Resolution.
2. The Council hereby authorizes the Saint Paul City Attorney to engage Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett for purposes of the City’s upcoming Comcast cable franchise negotiations.
3. The Council hereby authorizes the proper City officials to execute agreements and documents necessary to carry out this Resolution and the upcoming Comcast cable franchise negotiations.
4. The Council hereby further authorizes City officials, staff, and legal counsel to take all actions necessary to carry out this Resolution and the upcoming Comcast cable franchise negotiations.