6.5. SR 02-07-2005
Item 6.5.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor and City Council
Pat Klaers, City Adm:1~/f.a---
February 7, 2005 y'
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Consider Extension of Internship Program - City Prosecutor's Office
The City Prosecuting Attorney Chris Johnson has advised me that the law clerk - internship
program has been working out very well and has been beneficial to both the city and to Law Clerk
Clarissa Christian. As you may recall, the City Council approved entering into an agreement with
William Mitchell School of Law for an internship program in June 2004. Since Clarissa has joined
the city she has been gaining valuable hands-on experience and, as noted in the attached letter from
Chris Johnson, the city has been receiving the benefit of her work.
The plan for the internship was to have the position run through April with the city paying 25% and
William Mitchell paying 75%. However, the estimate for funds available from William Mitchell was
incorrect and we have recendy been notified that the program needs to end as there is no more
funding available from William Mitchell.
The city would still like to have Ms. Christian help us through at least April. Funding for this
program is available through the city forfeiture fund and this is the funding source we used for our
25% match over the past seven months or so. The cost to the city for $13.00 per hour for 20 hours
per week with no benefits is approximately $4,500.00. If this is acceptable to the City Council, then
we would come back in mid-April and provide the Council with an update and discuss options at
that time. It should be noted that while Ms. Christian takes the law bar at the end of July, the results
of the test are not known until October.
Currendy, Sherburne County provides back up services to the City Prosecutor's Office. Staff met
with the County Attorney in November and was advised that this back up service may not be
available to the city on a long-term basis. The city has been advised in writing by the County
Attorney that we need to develop alternative plans for 2006 and beyond as there may not be
resources available at the County to continue providing this back up service for the city. In this
regard, city staff is looking at various alternatives for back up services but nothing has been decided
at this time.
Mayor and City Council
February 7, 2005
Law Clerk Memo
Overall, the city is very happy with the County providing back up services and also with the city
having an intern law clerk providing 20 hour per week in-house support. Under ideal conditions,
would like to continue both these programs.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the city employ Clarissa Christian as a part-time, temporary employee
through the end of April at $13.00 per hour for 20 hours per week with funding to come from the
forfeiture account.
s: \ Council\Pat\2005 \law clerk.doc
City Attorney
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Christopher J. Johnson
City Prosecutor
MEMORANDUM
Jennifer Johnson
Legal Assistaut
TO:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
FROM:
Christopher J. Johnson, City Prosecutor
DATE:
January 28, 2005
RE:
Law Clerk
I was recently notified by William Mitchell that the work study grant money has been used
up. This news came as a surprise to all of us. We all believed that there was sufficient
grant money available to pay 75% of Clarissa's salary through April. I have discussed the
situation with William Mitchell and there's nothing they can do about it.
Clarissa has worked out great. She has been trained and understands how our office
functions. She can assist Jennifer with her work and can provide back-up coverage for
her. As a certified student attorney, she can assist me and to a certain extent, provide
back-up coverage for me. She is currently working 20 hours a week at a rate of $13.00 per
hour. She has expressed a desire to continue working here. She graduates from law
school this spring and takes the bar at the end of July.
I highly recommend that, if possible, we keep Clarissa on as a part-time employee.
CJJ:jj
Phone: 763.635.1080
Fax: 763.635.1091
www.ci.elk-river.mn.us