City Council Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Approval of Contract for Prosecuting City Attorney Services.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers a Motion approving the attached Contract for Legal Services with Eckberg Lammers, Attorneys at Law.
Summary Report:
The amendment to the Contract for prosecuting city attorney services with Eckberg Lammers, Attorneys at Law, expires on July 31, 2024. The City approved agreements with Eckberg Lammers, Attorneys at Law in 2014 and again in 2019. The proposed contract runs through July 31, 2027. The contract includes a termination clause that the contract may be terminated by either party upon 60 days written notice. This is common in legal services contacts. Staff recommends approval of the new contract.
The City Council works closely with the city civil services attorney, but likely does not have as much working familiarity with Eckberg-Lammers as it relates to criminal prosecution. Therefore, the Police Department has shared the following thoughts as it relates to their experiences in working with Eckberg-Lammers and their staff:
* Their support staff are very responsive to our requests and work closely with our Records and Evidence Staff to ensure case documents are properly requested and distributed. They also send timely court notices to officers and staff.
* Attorneys regularly seek input from officers and administration for specific and general case prosecution. Attorneys visit the NPD on a regular basis to discuss cases, review processes, and provide formal and informal training.
* Attorneys provide regular newsletters with updates and timely advice related to case law and statutes. Their staff continually research and then educate our staff on the ever-changing landscape of law enforcement, statutes, and court decisions.
* Attorneys are available 24 hours a day for consultation.
* The firm recog...
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