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Vadnais Heights council authorizes law firm to assist with possible referendum work and hires communications consultant
Summary
Council authorized staff to work with Flaherty & Hood law firm on possible citizen reverse‑referendum/ballot‑question matters and approved a contract with Rapp Strategies for communications consulting; both authorizations passed 5-0 and prompted public concern about use of taxpayer funds.
The Vadnais Heights City Council authorized two contracts on consent: one to allow staff to work with Flaherty & Hood law firm regarding possible citizen reverse‑referendum or ballot‑question matters, and another to engage Rapp Strategies for communications consulting.
City Administrator Kevin Watson presented the items. On Motion by Councilmember Katherine Doll Kanne, seconded by Councilmember Erik Goebel, the Council authorized staff to work with Flaherty & Hood for assistance related to a possible citizen reverse referendum/ballot question; the motion passed 5-0. In a separate consent motion, the Council authorized the City Administrator to sign a contract with Rapp Strategies for communications consulting; that motion also passed 5-0.
During public comment, resident Terry Nyblom said he was concerned about hiring outside counsel to be paid with taxpayer funds to defeat a measure requested by taxpayers and questioned financing assumptions such as capitalized interest. No formal response or amendment to the contract authorizations was recorded in the meeting minutes.
The motions authorize City staff to proceed with the discussed vendor engagements; contract terms and dollar amounts were not specified in the meeting record and will be subject to forthcoming agreement documents or staff reports if provided.
