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Charter Commission January 14, 2010 Page 4 133 A. Public Comment at City Council meetings 134 135 Commissioner Carlson watched a replay of the January 11, 2010 City Council meeting where a 136 member of the public was denied an opportunity to comment on an agenda item by Mayor 137 Reinert. Commissioner Carlson called Chair Dahl and reviewed to her Section 3.01 of the 138 Charter that states 139 140 Commissioner Carlson told Chair Dahl that he would like to draft a letter to the City Council. 141 142 Commissioner Storberg stated she also watched the replay of the council meeting. The agenda 143 item being discussed was the union contacts with the city employees. The issue with the contract 144 of a "no -layoff' clause. Commissioner Storberg stated that the Mayor stated that the council 145 meeting wasn't public meeting regarding the contracts. 146 147 Commissioner Lyden asked if this denial of public comment happened during "open mike". 148 Commissioner Carlson stated it was during an agenda item and it was not a closed meeting. 149 150 Commissioner Gunderson asked if the person being denied a chance to comment was a known 151 citizen of Lino Lakes or a known union represented. Commissioner Carlson said the man did not 152 have a chance to identify himself. 153 X54 Chair Dahl stated she believes it does not matter who the person was who wanted to speak. The 155 Charter does not state that only citizens of Lino Lakes have the right to speak. Commissioner 156 Storberg disagrees. 157 158 Commissioner Trehus asked what the rationale of the denial. Commissioner Carlson said the 159 Mayor stated the meeting was not a public hearing on the issue. 160 161 Commissioner Gunderson stated the Council should be reminded of the section of the Charter 162 that allows for citizens to speak on agenda items, where as the person who was denied should 163 have been allowed to at least identify themselves for public record. 164 165 Commissioner Penn suggested we reference past practice in the letter to the Council. 166 167 Commissioner Carlson states that any agenda items cannot be discussed during the "open mike" 168 portion of the meeting. 169 170 A video of the part of the meeting where the person was denied to speak to the Council was 171 played for the Commission. 172 173 MOTION by Commissioner Bretoi, seconded by Commissioner Minar, to send a letter to the 174 council reminding them of Section 3.01 of the Charter regarding the rules of public comment ^175 allowed for agenda items of City Council meetings. 176 4