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City Attorney's Office (Legal) FY2016 Budget PresentationCopyright 2014 City of Dubuque Public Hearings # 2. ITEM TITLE: Legal Services (City Attorney's Office) Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Presentation SUMMARY: SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description ❑ City Attomey's Office (Legal) FY 2016 Recommended Budget Type Supporting Documentation Legal -31- -32- LEGAL DEPARTMENT Budget Highlights Employee Expense Supplies and Services Machinery and Equipment Total Administrative Overhead Charges to Enterprise Fds. Section 8 -Legal Services Cable TV -Legal Services County Revenue Total Property Tax Support Percent Increase (Decrease) FY 2013/14 Actual 629,782 238,591 868,373 330,809 820 573 4,463 336,665 531,708 Personnel - Authorized FTE 5.00 FY 2014/15 Adopted 650,757 175,941 3,967 830,665 353,323 820 573 1,000 355,716 474,949 5.00 FY 2014/15 Amended 645,860 176,126 3,967 825,953 353,323 820 573 1,000 355,716 470,237 5.00 FY 2015/16 Recomm'd 649,252 189,928 688 839,868 267,001 820 573 1,000 269,394 % Change from Adopted FY 2014/15 -0.2% 7.9% - 82.7% 1.1% - 24.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% - 24.4% 570,474 95,525 20.1% 5.00 Significant Line Items at Maintenance Level (Without Recommended Improvement Package) Employee Expense 1. The City wage plan for non -bargaining unit employees will not increase and bargaining unit employees will receive a 2.25% wage increase in FY 2016. 2. The Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) City contribution remains at 8.93% and the employee contribution remains at 6.18% in FY 2016. 3. The City portion of health insurance expense decreased from $1,190 in FY 2015 to $1,040 in FY 2016 per month per contract, resulting is a savings of $8,100. 4. Overtime expense remained at $3,000 in FY 2016. Supplies & Services 5. Subscriptions increased from $14,364 in FY 2015 to $16,228 in FY 2016 based on FY 2015 actual plus 9%. -33- 6. Damage Claims increased from $72,834 in FY 2015 to $84,392 in FY 2016 based on a four year average (FY 2010 — FY 2013; FY 2014 was excluded from the average as claims were unusually high due to the harsh winter) of actual claims paid. 7. Education and Training decreased from $11,421 in FY 2015 to $10,000 in FY 2016 based on actual estimated cost of conferences. Machinery & Equipment 8. Purchase of equipment for FY 2016 includes $688 for the replacement of a desktop scanner. Revenue 9. Revenue received from Enterprise Funds for administrative overhead charges and has decreased from $353,323 in FY 2015 to $267,001 in FY 2016. -34- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE The mission of the City Attorney's Office is to provide legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, and all officials and departments of the City in matters relating to their official duties so that the City delivers excellent municipal services that support urban living and a sustainable City plan for the community's future and that facilitate access to critical human services which result in financially sound City government and citizens getting services and value for their tax dollar. Mayor and City Council City Attorney City Manager City Clerk Expenditures and Resources by Department and Category Budget Highlights % Change FY 2013!14 FY 2014!15 FY 2014!15 FY 2015116 from Adopted Actual Adopted Amended Recomm'd FY 2014115 Employee Expense 629,782 650,757 645,860 649,252 -0.2% Supplies and Services 238,591 175,941 176,126 189,928 7.9% Machinery and Equipment 3,967 3,967 688 -82.7% Total 868,373 830,665 825,953 839,868 1.1% Administrative Overhead Charges to Enterprise Fds. 330,809 353,323 353,323 267,001 -24.4% Section 8 -Legal Services 820 820 820 820 0.0% Cable TV -Legal Services 573 573 573 573 0.0% County Revenue 4,463 1,000 1,000 1,000 0.0% Total 336,665 355,716 355,716 269,394 -24.4% Property Tax Support 531,708 474,949 470,237 570,474 95,525 Percent Increase (Decrease) 20.1% Personnel - Authorized FTE 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 -35- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SUCCESS IS ABOUT PLANNING, PARTNERSHIPS, AND PEOPLE LEADING TO OUTCOMES PEOPLE Cross -training among City Attorney's Office staff delivers quality customer service and allows staff to deliver services that exceed citizen expectations. Investment in training allows a high quality, knowledgeable, and informed workforce. PLANNING Provides counsel and direction to all City departments so that they may perform duties and responsibilities to ensure economic prosperity, environmental/ecological integrity, and social/cultural vibrancy throughout the community. DUBUQUE, I_! a, d,,. AVl PARTNERSHIPS Staff of the City Attorney's Office volunteer with numerous local and state partnerships to implement the City Council's community vision. Staff also develops and implements processes that help provide solutions for community challenges and opportunities. -36- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Overview The chief legal officer of the City of Dubuque is the City Attorney, who provides counsel and direction to the City by attending meetings of the City Council and selected boards and commissions. The City Attorney is assisted by two full-time Assistant City Attorneys, a Paralegal, and a Legal Assistant. The City Attorney's Office represents the City in all cases before the federal and state courts and administrative agencies where the City has an interest. The City Attorney's Office processes all claims and suits for and against the City and provides written opinions to the City Council, boards and commissions, the City Manager, and City departments. The City Attorney's Office assists in the preparation and review of legal documents, legislation, and other matters in which there is a City interest. The City Attorney's Office prosecutes ordinance and traffic violations, represents City boards and commissions, provides advice on legal opinions to officials, department managers, and City employees, and drafts legal documents, memoranda, and opinions. Funding Summary FY 2013/14 Actual FY 2014/15 Adopted FY 2015/16 Recommended Expenditures $868,373 $830,665 $839,868 Resources $336,665 $355,716 $269,394 Position Summary FY 2015/16 FTE's City Attorney 1.00 Assistant City Attorney 2.00 Paralegal 1.00 Legal Assistant 1.00 Total FTE's 5.00 -37- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Supporting City, Organization, and Community Goals Five -Year Community Goals for a Sustainable Dubuque • Economic Prosperity — Provide counsel on development agreements such as Rockfarm Holdings, Inc. and Tri-State Quality Metals which helps establish jobs, businesses, transportation, and affordable places to live to create a strong local economy that benefits simultaneously. • Environmental Integrity — Review legislation and recent changes in law so the City can continue to make strides towards enhancing the quality of community assets such as public transit and water quality. • Social/Cultural Vibrancy — By volunteering for organizations such as the Multicultural Family Center and the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools, support the current and greatest needs in the community. Five -Year City Goals • Planned and Managed Growth — Work with businesses/individuals to create development agreements which ensure that there are services available to meet the population demand as it grows. • Partnering for a Better Dubuque — Train boards and commissions so better communicate with the public and attend meetings with Association and other neighborhood associations. • Improved Connectivity: Transportation and Telecommunications — enhance the quality of public transit. Top Priorities • Arts and Culture Master Plan — Participate on the Arts Council which brings performers and opportunities to the community involving arts. • Central Iowa Water Association — Conduct legal research on state and federal laws related to rural water providers, participate in amendments to state law, prepare projects and annexation and water service agreements, and coordinate extension of utilities outside the City limits. • Inclusive Community — Attend regular meetings involving the surrounding Inclusive Dubuque; attendance at the Government Alliance on Race and Equity; investigation of human rights complaints; and attendance at neighborhood meetings. • Police — Prosecute simple misdemeanors, prepare administrative search warrants, attend landlord meetings, present at the Crime Free Multi -Housing Program, and work with the Problem Properties Project. High Priorities • Annexation — Negotiate property acquisition documents and conduct closings of transactions. • Emerald Ash Borer — Review and help draft policy. • Housing Code and Inspections — Prosecute ordinance violations and civil infractions in state court and monitor compliance with City Code. Assist with development of internal nuisance process evaluation. • Indoor Aquatic Center — Support staff for purposes of document creation and review. that they may the Landlord Continue to -38- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Performance Measures City Attorney's Office — Activity Statement Provide legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, and all officials and departments of the City in matters relating to their official duties. Goals • Provide timely, cost-efficient, quality services, and advice to support the City Council, City Manager, and all City departments in fulfilling their missions and goals. • Advance, advocate, and safeguard the interests of the City within the bounds of the law and sustain City operations by assuring the City operates in accordance with municipal law. • Maintain a work environment which fosters teamwork, excellence, and professional development. ■ Remain knowledgeable regarding advances and developments in the law. Objective 1: Furnish legal advice, counsel, and assistance to the Mayor, City Council, and all other City officers, and boards and commissions in relation to their duties and the business of the City. By providing general counsel, the City Attorney's Office reduces the City's cost from having to consult with outside counsel and provides timely and effective legal advice to departments and partner agencies. It also allows the City to respond to citizens, City staff, and community needs and projects in an expedited and effective manner. • GENERAL COUNSEL - Provide day-to-day legal advice to City Council, the City Manager, administration, and boards and commissions of the City; attend meetings, conferences, and City Council meetings/work sessions. • LEGAL OPINIONS - Research and draft opinions on legal matters in response to requests of City Council and other City officials. • CONTRACTS AND OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS - Draft and/or review contracts and other legal documents to which the City is a party. • CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY - Prepare deeds, examine titles, and conduct closings necessary for acquisition and disposition of real property. • ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS - Research relevant law and prepare measures to implement policy decisions of City staff. -39- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Where Our Time Goes • General Counsel • Legal Opinions • Contracts and Other Legal Documents • Conveyance of Real Property • Ordinances and Resolutions Objective 2: To handle legal matters concerning the City in accordance with law and in a timely and efficient manner. The City Attorneys Office provides timely and effective legal advice on all legal issues and disputes. This helps reduce the costs of services by preventing future lawsuits and claims. • LITIGATION 1 LAWSUITS - Handle civil cases initiated by the City or brought against the City and provide a defense from lawsuits for the City and City employees and protects public taxpayers from lawsuits and assures the City operates according to law. • HUMAN RIGHTS CASES — Administration, screening, review, and investigation of third party complaints of discrimination filed under Title 8 of the City Code. • SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR COURT — Responsible for the prosecution of all violations of City criminal and civil codes before the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County. • CLAIMS — Process and investigate all claims filed against the City of Dubuque and collaborate with Public Entity Risk Services for those in excess of the deductible. • GRIEVANCE ARBITRATIONS AND CIVIL SERVICE APPEALS — Represent the City in grievance arbitrations and hearings before the Civil Service Commission. -40- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Objective 3: Provide excellent customer service and promote workplace diversity. The City Attorney's Office acquires information that is useful to the City Attorney's Office in performing its services and cooperates with local organizations to provide timely and effective services, and also allows the City Attorney's Office to operate more effectively. • TRAINING — Provide training and advice to assist in implementation of City policies on workplace diversity. • CUSTOMER SERVICE - Provide courteous and timely referrals and response to citizen inquiries. • COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT — o City Attorney Barry Lindahl is Co -Chair of the Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure, a member of the Iowa League of Cities Environmental Coordinating Committee, and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Iowa College of Law. o Assistant City Attorney Crenna Brumwell serves as a mentor to Jaylyn and on the boards for Mentor Dubuque (formerly known as Big Brothers/Big Sisters), Dubuque Arts Council, Every Child/Every Promise, Foundation for Dubuque Community Schools, Project Concern, Hillcrest Board of Trustees and the Foster Grandparents. She also participates on the City's Prescott School -41- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE o Partnership, is 2nd Vice Chair of Hillcrest Board of Trustees, volunteers for the Riverview Center Crisis Hotline, and serves on the Judicial Nominating Commission. She has also recently been appointed to the United Way Board, participating on behalf of Hillcrest. o Assistant City Attorney Maureen Quann serves on the Iowa Municipal Attorney Association Executive Board as a District 1 Representative, is a mentor at the Multicultural Family Center, Chair of the Riverview Center Board of Directors, member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Tri-State Chapter, member of the Young Lawyers Division, and serves on the Dubuque Museum of Art Special Events Committee. DUBUQUE ARTS COUNCIL educating & entertaining every CHILD every PROMISE American irj Red Cross .40%5, Riverview Center United Way Objective 4: Operate a highly ethical, efficient, and effective office by maintaining a well-trained and experienced staff. Staff of the City Attorney's Office attends annual conferences which provide advances and developments to the law so that staff can effectively communicate the changes to other City staff. • CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION - City Attorney Barry Lindahl and Assistant City Attorneys Crenna Brumwell and Maureen Quann attended a total of 102 hours of continuing legal education during 2013; a sample of which is indicated below. -42- CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE International Municipal Lawyer's Association — Mid -Year Seminar and Annual Conference Lorman Education Services — Public Records and Open Meetings Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association — New City Attorney Institute and Annual Seminar American Law Institute — Condemnation 101 and Land Use Institute Planning, Regulation, Litigation, Eminent Domain, and Compensation -43- Iowa State Bar Association — Basic Skills Course I Recommended Operating Revenue Budget - Department Total 76 -LEGAL SERVICES Fund Account Account Title FY13 Actual FY14 Actual FY15 Adopted FY16 Recomm'd Revenue Revenue Budget Budget 100 46205 COUNTY SHARE 5,358 4,463 1,000 1,000 46 - LOCAL GRANT AND REIMBURSE 5,358 4,463 1,000 1,000 I 100 100 100 100 53605 53610 53615 53620 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE INSURANCE CLAIMS DAMAGE CLAIMS REIMBURSEMENTS -GENERAL I 53- MISCELLANEOUS 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 59280 59290 59610 59620 59630 59640 59670 59810 59940 FR SECTION 8 HOUSING FR CABLE TV FR WPC OPERATING FR STORMWATER OPERATING FR PARKING OPERATING FR WATER UTILITY FR REFUSE COLLECTION FR GARAGE SERVICE FUND FR DMASWA 5 253 0 0 1,061 0 0 17,500 0 78 0 0 83 18,814 0 820 820 820 573 573 573 64,834 74,954 83,092 2,726 2,888 16,475 19,841 13,271 14,750 0 72,348 80,678 66,289 101,416 107,556 4,134 4,134 4,134 40,269 42,984 46,638 0 0 0 0 0 820 573 44,670 31,178 16,085 0 121,161 4,134 49,773 59- TRANSFER IN AND INTERNAL 199,486 313,388 354,716 268,394 76 - LEGAL SERVICES TOTAL 204,927 336,665 355,716 269,394 -44- Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total 76 -LEGAL SERVICES Fund Account Account Title FY13 Actual FY14 Actual FY15 Adopted FY 16 Recomm'd Expense Expense Budget Budget 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 61010 61050 61099 61310 61320 61410 61415 61416 61655 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES OVERTIME PAY WAGE ADJUSTMENT IPERS SOCIAL SECURITY HEALTH INSURANCE WORKMENS' COMPENSATION LIFE INSURANCE CAR ALLOWANCE 459,564 565 0 39,893 31,736 49,685 1,681 332 5,501 479,686 1,407 0 42,961 32,943 64,983 1,811 330 5,660 485,628 3,000 9,744 44,899 34,794 64,260 1,805 988 5,639 500,392 3,000 0 45,453 35,822 56,160 1,826 1,002 5,597 61 - WAGES AND BENEFITS 588,957 629,781 650,757 649,252 100 62010 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,393 1,297 1,420 1,322 100 62030 POSTAGE AND SHIPPING 916 709 962 744 100 62050 OFFICE EQUIPMENT MAINT 0 0 0 184 100 62061 DP EQUIP. MAINT CONTRACTS 2,691 3,108 3,243 4,202 100 62110 COPYING/REPRODUCTION 2,838 4,276 2,838 2,993 100 62170 SUBSCRIPTIONS -BOOKS -MAPS 12,966 13,909 14,364 16,228 100 62190 DUES & MEMBERSHIPS 2,345 2,625 2,720 2,964 100 62206 PROPERTY INSURANCE 92 151 149 178 100 62208 GENERAL LIABILITY INSURAN 2,661 2,679 2,759 2,671 100 62211 PROPERTY TAX 4,883 4,833 5,026 4,910 100 62221 DAMAGE CLAIMS 63,116 151,485 72,834 84,392 100 62230 COURT COSTS & RECORD FEES 91 1,108 1,000 1,130 100 62310 TRAVEL -CONFERENCES 7,980 7,574 8,377 8,022 100 62320 TRAVEL -CITY BUSINESS 554 939 1,000 1,000 100 62340 MILEAGE/LOCALTRANSP 242 257 272 268 100 62360 EDUCATION &TRAINING 9,802 5,538 11,421 10,000 100 62411 UTILITY EXP -ELECTRICITY 1,677 1,768 1,811 1,811 100 62412 UTILITY EXP -GAS 480 562 494 395 100 62421 TELEPHONE 5,421 4,430 4,109 4,430 100 62424 RADIO/PAGER FEE 224 274 280 286 100 62433 CUSTODIAL SERVICES 3,861 3,767 4,240 4,696 100 62436 RENTAL OF SPACE 20,881 21,210 21,446 21,446 100 62667 INTERNET SERVICES 0 0 960 1,440 100 62713 LEGAL SERVICES 28,939 3,898 0 0 100 62714 ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE 3,998 2,194 13,966 13,966 100 62756 SPIRIT RELATED EXPENSE 0 0 250 250 62 - SUPPLIES AND SERVICES 178,050 238,591 175,941 189,928 100 71120 PERIPHERALS, COMPUTER 1,016 0 2,167 0 100 71129 SCANNER 0 0 0 688 100 71211 DESKS/CHAIRS 0 0 600 0 100 72410 PAGER/RADIO EQUIPMENT 4,532 0 0 0 100 72418 TELEPHONE RELATED 0 0 1,200 0 71 - EQUIPMENT 5,548 0 3,967 688 -45- Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total 76 -LEGAL SERVICES Fund Account Account Title FY13 Actual Expense FY14 Actual Expense FY15 Adopted Budget FY 16 Recomm'd Budget 76 - LEGAL SERVICES TOTAL 772,555 868,373 830,665 839,868 -46- Recommended Expenditure Budget Report by Activity & Funding Sounce 76 - LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES - 76100 FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL Account FY13 Actual Expense FY14 Actual Expense FY15 Adopted Budget FY16 Recomm'd Budget EQUIPMENT 5,548 0 3,967 688 SUPPLIES AND SERVICES 178,050 238,591 175,941 189,928 WAGES AND BENEFITS 588,957 629,781 650,757 649,252 LEGAL SERVICES 772,555 868,373 830,665 839,868 LEGAL SERVICES TOTAL $772,555.10 $868,372.66 $830,665.00 $839,868.00 -47- CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA DEPARTMENT DETAIL - PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT 76 LEGAL DEPARTMENT FD JC WP -GR JOB CLASS 61010 Full Time Employee Expense 100 0430 GE -29 PARALEGAL 100 0600 GE -42 ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY 100 0625 Contract CITY ATTORNEY 100 0225 GE -25 SECRETARY TOTAL FULL TIME EMPLOYEES TOTAL LEGAL DEPARTMENT FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FTE BUDGET FTE BUDGET FTE BUDGET 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 5.00 56,304 209,458 167,853 49,251 482,866 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 5.00 57,704 218,153 170,371 50,430 496,658 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 5.00 57,897 224,636 167,264 50,595 500,392 5.00 482,866 5.00 496,658 5.00 500,392 -48- CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA ACTIVITY PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT SUMMARY ACCT FD JC WP -GR POSITION CLASS Legal Services -FT 10076100 61010 100 0625 GE -45 CITY ATTORNEY 10076100 61010 100 0600 GE -42 ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY 10076100 61010 100 0430 GE -29 PARALEGAL 10076100 61010 100 GE -25 SECRETARY Total Run Date: 01/15/15 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FTE BUDGET FTE BUDGET FTE BUDGET 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 5.00 167,853 209,458 56,304 49,251 482,866 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 5.00 170,371 218,153 57,704 50,430 496,658 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00 5.00 167,264 224,636 57,897 50,595 500,392 TOTAL LEGAL DEPARTMENT 5.00 482,866 5.00 496,658 5.00 500,392 -49- -50- Barry Greyhound racing bill (final) • Telegraph Herald - Monday April 28, 2014 Dubuque council OKs greyhound racing lease • Telegraph Herald - November i8, 2014 • Draft of Legislation for Dubuque Greyhound Park • IGA/City Lease Barry Franchise fee settlement • Telegraph Herald - May 6, 2014 • Zaber Litigation • Franchise Fee Rebates • Franchise Fee Amendments • New IPL Franchise Barry Rockfarm plans Dubuque facility • Telegraph Herald - April 12, 2014 Kunkel &Associates plans expansion • Telegraph Herald — October 3, 2014 Development Agreements • Tri State Metals • Spahn & Rose • Rockfarm Holdings • Holy Ghost Development HUD approves the VCA • Telegraph Herald - April 15, 2014 Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) • Negotiations began in August 2013 involving City Attorney's Office, Housing & Community Development, Human Rights, City Manager's Office, and other departments as needed Finalized in March 2014 On-going work to meet the requirements and deadlines of the VCA going forward. Multiple departments, many benchmarks, and measurable data to be tracked. Crenna UPDATE: MLK breakfast speaker: Still 'a lot of work to be done' • Telegraph Herald - January 19, 2015 Human Rights Cases • Closed 13 cases, including investigation and interviews, resulting in 8 administrative closures, 2 no probable cause findings, 2 probable cause findings, and i mediation Maureen Council updates priorities for Dubuque • Telegraph Herald - October 5, 2014 Annexation/Extension of Utilities • Prepared pre -annexation and annexation agreements • Met with property owners to discuss the rights and obligations associated with annexation • Obtained easements and properties necessary to facilitate the expansion of utilities to serve new locations within the city of Dubuque and future locations to be annexed into the city of Dubuque Maureen UPDATE: White House cites Dubuque, 15 other cities as climate leaders • Telegraph Herald -December 3, 2014 Environmental & Sustainability Management Systems • Part of multi -department core team implementing an Environmental & Sustainability Management System at the Municipal Services Center • Attended educational seminars in Roanoke, Virginia for the Environmental & Sustainability Management Systems management method • Assembled a comprehensive matrix of the federal, state, local, and other regulations and requirements governing significant aspects of operations conducted at the Municipal Services Center, including energy and natural gas reduction, stormwater protection, small container management, liquid deicer use, and fuel handling Maureen Information sought in Dubuque dog -bite incident • Telegraph Herald - June 19, 2014 Litigation, Arbitration, and Civil Service Hearings • Represented the City of Dubuque in the prosecution of simple misdemeanors and municipal infractions • Represented the City in workforce arbitration proceedings • Represented the City in civil service hearings Barry Crenna Maureen City of Dubuque acquires Bee Branch obstacle • Telegraph Herald -August 4, 2014 Real Estate Acquisitions • Since 2005, the City has acquired 112 properties for the Bee Branch project • In 2014, facilitated offers, purchases, and closings for 22 properties • Initiated first efforts to take title to abandoned property under Iowa Code Chapter 657A Barry Crenna Maureen IMLA: A Part Of Your Practice Municipal Lawyer - November/December 2014 Vol. 55, No 6 One of the principal attractions of the practice of municipal law is the breadth of issues that come our way. Depending on how your municipality is structured, you may come across problems in any number of areas, including land use, civil rights defense, economic development, procure- ment, election law, municipal finance, the never-ending examples of federal and state regulation of practically everything your municipality does, and the defense of your municipality in the federal and state courts. It seems we are constantly learn- ing new areas of law all the time, in addi- tion to keeping up with the changes in the law in those areas we are Familiar with. If the breadth of issues is a major attrac- tion, it comes at a cost: the time it takes to learn a new practice area well enough to confidently advise our clients, or even have a mutually understandable conversation with outside counsel. Probably the easiest way to shorten the time necessary to come up the learning curve is to have access to those who have come up the curve themselves, and who know not just law but how the law inter- acts with policy - all within the singular world of municipal law practice. This is where IMLA comes in. Nowhere else will you find as many colleagues dealing with the same issues. 4 Municipal Lawyer Barry Crenna Maureen UPDATED: Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of Eagle Point Solar • Telegraph Herald - July ii, 2014 Iowa huh court ruling radiates new optimism for solar energy • Telegraph Herald - July zi, 201-4 Continuing Legal Education 1o9.5 total hours of continuing legal education attended during 2014 Water main break closes Cox Street between Loras, Chestnut • Telegraph Herald - March 12, 2014 In Dubuque, the year of the rupture • Telegraph Herald - March io, 2014 Claims • Report to Council • Correspond with Department Manager, PERS Claim Representative, and Claimant through claim resolution All but i tax appeal against city of Dubuque have been dropped • Telegraph Herald - December 28, 2014 Property Tax Appeals Assist City Attorney and City Assessor with correspondence, court proceedings, and settlement documents Jenny Human Rights annual report • Telegraph Herald - May 17, 2014 Human Rights Investigations Prepared correspondence • Scheduled interviews with complainants and witnesses • Monitored files • Reviewed and prepared administrative closures Police: Unsafeg passin leads to 2 -car crash on Pennsylvania • Telegraph Herald - September 28, 2,314 Court Proceedings • Prepared documents for court appearances • Corresponded with outside counsel explaining options for clients • Maintained the court calendar • Communicated with police officers, judges, and court administration • Issued subpoenas • Assisted Maureen in preparing for trials • Questions? • Thank you!