REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR LEGAL SERVICES
WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
December 3, 2020
Introduction
The Washington County Community Development Agency (the Agency) is inviting interested law firms with experience representing housing and redevelopment authorities and economic development authorities to submit written proposals to provide legal services for the Agency. The Agency is seeking proposals for general counsel as well as firms practicing in the areas of public finance, real estate, property management, collective bargaining, government relations, and appellate law. Contracts for service may start in April, 2021. The Agency anticipates the original contract will be three (3) years in length with an option to extend an additional two (2) years.
The firm or firms will be selected by the Agency’s Board of Commissioners and will work closely with the staff of the Agency.
Background
The Washington County Community Development Agency helps communities across the county achieve their housing and economic development goals. Our mission is to promote community and economic development, and provide and maintain affordable, decent and safe housing opportunities in Washington County. The Agency was established in 1974 pursuant to Minnesota Statute, and was organized by the Washington County Board in 1981. The Agency has all the powers and duties of a housing and redevelopment authority and of an economic development agency.
The Agency is empowered under state statute to initiate a broad array of housing, economic and community development programs to address the varying needs of the jurisdictions within the County. Attachment B provides an overview of the Agency’s programs and services including recent accomplishments, activities and initiatives. The Agency serves as a partner with local communities and provides ongoing resources, information and technical assistance for housing, economic and community development activities including offering various government programs.
The Agency operates under a seven-member Board of Commissioners, which are appointed by the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Five of the seven commissioners represent a district that matches the boundaries of the County Commissioner districts. One commissioner is an “At-Large” position and the remaining commissioner is a “Public Assistance Commissioner” (or sometimes referred to as a Resident Commissioner), a position which is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD requires that a recipient of public housing assistance or a recipient of the tenant-based Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program serve as the Public Assistance Commissioner. Further, the Washington County Board of Commissioners has decided that the “At-Large” position on the Agency Board of Commissioners would be a member of the County Board. Once appointed, the Agency’s Board of Commissioners exercises all oversight responsibilities including but not limited to matters of programs, personnel, management, finance, and budget. The Agency’s Board of Commissioners is responsible for the hiring of the Agency’s Executive Director, whose responsibility it is to carry out the policies of the board, to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Agency, and to act as hiring manager.
The Agency currently employs 25 FTE’s in four departments: 1) Housing Assistance and Administrative Services; 2) Finance Department; 3) Community Development; and 4) Economic Development. Current initiatives are described in the next section. Staff who work with this requested legal counsel are primarily the department directors, community development staff, and executive director.
