HF 823

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/07/2019 02:07pm

A bill for an act
relating to cities and towns; establishing a process for hiring private consultants;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 471.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [471.462] USE OF PRIVATE CONSULTANTS TO REVIEW
APPLICATIONS BY CITIES AND TOWNS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Request for qualifications. new text end

new text begin A city or town planning to hire professional
consulting services to assist with the review of applications for a permit, license, or other
approval, the cost of which will be borne by the applicant, must, at least annually, initiate
a request for qualifications from consultants qualified and willing to provide such services.
The request for qualifications must require that eligible respondents identify relevant
qualifications pertaining to the consulting services being sought and the fees the consultant
expects to charge for its services. Information submitted by a consultant to a city or town
in response to a request for qualifications is public data under chapter 13.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Review statement of work. new text end

new text begin Before a city or town engages a consultant to assist
in reviewing an application for a permit, license, or other approval, the city or town must
provide the applicant with a written statement of work and the related estimate of fees to
be charged by the consultant, and the portion of such fees that will be the responsibility of
the applicant. Before the city or town commences review of the permit, license, or other
approval requiring the use of a consultant, it may condition such review on the applicant's
written acceptance of estimated fees to be charged by the consultant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Resolution of impasse. new text end

new text begin If the city or town and the applicant are unable to agree
on the consultant's review authority or associated fees relating to the specific permit, license,
or other approval being sought, the applicant may request review of the impasse by the city
council or town board at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
new text end