City staff to invite outside legal and lobbying firms to discuss services and rates

Staff updated council on outreach to legal-service providers and lobbying resources, saying they had contacted lobbyist John Crowell and law firms including Olson & Olson. Staff proposed a $200,000 legal-services allocation in the draft budget, citing an estimated hourly structure and an allowance for about 50 hours per month.

"We discussed the legal services and landed at 200,000 in the proposed budget," staff said, noting roughly $189,000 would be consumed by 50 hours per month at a cited hourly rate with flexibility built in. Council requested that staff bring rate sheets and arrange for potential counsel and the lobbyist to appear at a future meeting so council can question them directly.

Staff agreed to provide the requested fee information and to coordinate appearances by shortlisted firms at an upcoming council meeting.