City of Blaine Anoka County, Minnesota - File #: WS 20-147

• File #: WS 20-147
• Version: 1
• Name: 2021 Lockridge Retainer
• Type: Workshop Item
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 12/14/2020
• In control: City Council Workshop
• On agenda: 12/14/2020
• Final action: 6/30/2022
• Title: 2021 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONTRACT WITH LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN
• Sponsors: Michelle Wolfe

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/30/2022	1	City Council Workshop	Informational: no action required

WORKSHOP ITEM Michelle Wolfe, City Manager

Title

2021 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONTRACT WITH LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN 

Background

The city has retained the law firm of Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. (LGN) and its government relations team since 2016. The firm assisted with the legislative bonding request for 105^th Avenue in 2016 and 2017. For the years 2018-2020 the firm assisted with the planning efforts and strategy for a state bonding request for a public safety training facility and assisted in advocacy of the TH65 infrastructure improvements. The total project fee for 2020 was $36,000.  The same fee ($3,000 per month) is proposed for 2021.

City Council has discussed this topic at two recent workshops.  Most recently, lobbying firm representatives presented to Council on November 16.  The staff recommendation is for the City Manager to sign a letter of agreement for 2021(draft attached), noting that a legislative priorities and work plan/expectations document will be prepared and approved by City Council in January 2021.

The proposed letter of agreement is attached.  Prior to signing, it will be updated to provide reference to the Public Safety Training Facility and to reference the priorities/work plan document.