09-09-2024 - Council Meeting Minutes

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LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATE: September 9, 2024 TIME STARTED: 6:30 PM TIME ENDED: 7:17 PM LOCATION: City Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Ruhland and Stoesz MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmembers Cavegn and Lyden Staff Members Present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Public Safety Director John Swenson, Deputy Public Safety Director/Police Kyle Leibel, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, City Planner Katie Larsen, and Human Resources/Communications Manager Meg Sawyer. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rafferty at 6:30 PM. Mayor Rafferty provided an overview of the Rules of Decorum. The City Administrator announced that due to a limited number of Councilmembers present this evening, the Council determined at the Work Session held earlier this evening not to consider the Work Session Agenda Item, "Complaint Re: Email Sent by City Councilmember". PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Rafferty opened the public comment period at 6:35 p.m. Salat Tuke, 14171 Drake Street NW, stated that while he was here to talk about the Complaint Re: Email Sent to City Councilmember, he is not here to ask for the City Councilmembers resignation. He instead asks that the City Council be fair and represent everyone. He proposed a challenge to take a break from hate for 24 hours, starting tonight. Setting aside any letters that are negative and encourage attendees this evening to say something positive about the City Council and Zikar Holdings representatives. Mr. Tuke thanked everyone who participated in the recent clean-up event in Lino Lakes, Jaylani Hussein, CAIR-MN Executive Director, 1821 University Avenue, St. Paul, said that there has been a lot said about him, partially because of what he stands up for. He stated that Islamophobia is a real thing with real impacts. He doesn't believe that things happen by accident. He stated that Councilmember Lyden's email checks every box about Islamophobia. He is disappointed in the response by the Council to this. He questioned what the response by the Council would have been to a similar message about another group. He stated that tonight he continues to make a call for Councilmember Lyden to resign. Catherine Decker, 614 Pine Street, Lino Lakes, read the minutes from the Rice Creek Watershed District meeting held on August 28, 2024. Focusing on the discussion with Chris Stowe of 426 Pine Street regarding the water issues on and near his property created by Anoka County Ditch