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Charter Commission January 14, 2010 Page 4 135 NEW BUSINESS 136 137 A. Public Comment at City Council meetings 138 139 Commissioner Carlson watched a replay of the January 11, 2010 City Council meeting where a 140 member of the public was denied an opportunity to comment on an agenda item by Mayor 141 Reinert. Commissioner Carlson called Chair Dahl and reviewed to her Section 3.01 of the 142 Charter that states 143 144 Commissioner Carlson told Chair Dahl that he would like to draft a letter to the City Council. 145 146 Commissioner Storberg stated she also watched the replay of the council meeting. The agenda 147 item being discussed was the union contacts with the city employees. The issue with the contract 148 of a "no-layoff' clause. Commissioner Storberg stated that the Mayor stated that the council 149 meeting wasn't public meeting regarding the contracts. 150 151 Commissioner Lyden asked if this denial of public comment happened during "open mike". 152 Commissioner Carlson stated it was during an agenda item and it was not a closed meeting. 153 154 Commissioner Gunderson asked if the person being denied a chance to comment was a known 155 citizen of Lino Lakes or a known union represented. Commissioner Carlson said the man did not 156 have a chance to identify himself. 157 158 Chair Dahl stated she believes it does not matter who the person was who wanted to speak. The 159 Charter does not state that only citizens of Lino Lakes have the right to speak. Commissioner 160 Storberg disagrees. 161 162 Commissioner Trehus asked what the rationale of the denial. Commissioner Carlson said the 163 Mayor stated the meeting was not a public hearing on the issue. 164 165 Commissioner Gunderson stated the Council should be reminded of the section of the Charter 166 that allows for citizens to speak on agenda items, where as the person who was denied should 167 have been allowed to at least identify themselves for public record. 168 169 Commissioner Penn suggested we reference past practice in the letter to the Council. 170 171 Commissioner Carlson states that any agenda items cannot be discussed during the "open mike" 172 portion of the meeting. 173 174 A video of the part of the meeting where the person was denied to speak to the Council was 175 played for the Commission. 176 177 MOTION by Commissioner Bretoi, seconded by Commissioner Minar, to send a letter to the 178 council reminding them of Section 3.01 of the Charter regarding the rules of public comment 179 allowed for agenda items of City Council meetings. 4