Resolution No. 2023-13, Approving a Service Agreement with the Talen Baertschi Law Firm for Prosecution Services for Code Enforcement and Rental Housing Division Prosecution Matters
Resolution No. 2023 - 13
Approving a Service Agreement With The Tallen Baertschi Law Firm For Prosecution
Services For Code Enforcement and Rental Housing Division Prosecution Matters
Whereas, Steven M. Tallen, Tallen Baertschi Attorneys at Law (Firm) has provided Code
Enforcement and Rental Inspection Division prosecution services for the City of Fridley (City)
since March 4, 2020; and
Whereas, the City requires a firm specializing in prosecution of Code Enforcement and Rental
Housing Division case work; and
Whereas, the firm of Tallen Baertschi has been successful in bringing about successful
resolution in the Code Enforcement and Rental Housing Division Prosecutions since service
began in March 2020; and
Whereas, the original agreement was crafted in conjunction with the City Attorney’s office and
was intended for periodic review; and
Whereas, review of cases managed by the firm on behalf of the City have been exemplary in
drawing to successful close matters of Code Enforcement and Rental Inspection violations that
rise to court review; and
Whereas, moving into a new calendar year it is important to review contracts and agreements,
review terms and conditions and modify as necessary; and
Whereas, both parties have seen fit to adjust the rate of payment for service to align with cost-
of-living rates; and
Whereas, the City and the Firm have agreed upon the following rate structure:
Attorneys $185.13 per hour
Legal Assistants $108.90 per hour until 12/31/23, at which time the rate will be
subject to a cost-of-living adjustment at the beginning of each
year.
Expenses will be billed without any mark up.
Copies will be billed at $.20 per copy; and
Whereas, the City will be billed by the Firm monthly; and
Resolution No. 2023-13 Page 2
Whereas, approval of this resolution also recognizes an initial two-year term, with an
opportunity to extend in two-year increments, upon successful performance reviews of the Firm,
before the end of each two-year term.
Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Mayor and the City Clerk, are hereby authorized to
execute all documents necessary to enter into a service agreement with the Firm of Tallen
Baertschi Attorneys at Law with terms as identified herein.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Fridley this 23rd day of January 2023.
________________________________________________
Scott J. Lund - Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________________
Melissa Moore – City Clerk