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Council tables proposed city‑attorney contract after questions about fees and scope
Summary
Council paused consideration of a negotiated contract with Berglund, Baumgartner and Glaser (BBG) after members raised questions about who would be the designated attorney, appellate work billing, paralegal rates and undisclosed software/service fees; council rescinded a prior motion and voted to table the contract for clarification.
A proposed professional‑services contract with Berglund, Baumgartner and Glaser (BBG) to provide municipal legal services was tabled by the East Bethel City Council on April 13 after members raised questions about billing, service scope and who would attend meetings.
Staff (speaker 8) said the contract had been negotiated following solicitation of proposals and that BBG had been directed to negotiate a contract. The packet and staff presentation listed hourly and flat fees and described prosecution services. Council members asked whether appellate work was included in the flat fee the firm had pitched, questioned an unspecified software/service charge in the contract and asked whether a specific attorney (requested during the RFP process) would be assigned to the council.
During deliberations, one councilmember moved to approve the contract but then withdrew the motion after further discussion; a motion to rescind the original motion was seconded and approved. Council then voted to table the contract while staff clarifies (1) the identity of the attorney who would routinely attend council meetings, (2) whether appellate work is included in the flat fee or billed hourly, and (3) the cost and nature of any software or pass‑through charges.
No contract was executed at the meeting; council instructed staff to obtain answers and return with a revised contract or additional information before final action.
