HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-048 Council ResolutionCITY OF LINO LAKES
RESOLUTION NO. 17-48
RESOLUTION TO CENSURE COUNCILMEMBER
WHEREAS, the City of Lino Lakes is in the 6th Congressional District of Minnesota, which is
represented by Congressman Tom Emmer; and
WHEREAS, on or about May 4, 2017, the United States House of Representatives passed the
American Health Care Act, with Congressman Emmer voting in favor; and
WHEREAS, on or about May 10, 2017, Councilmember Melissa Maher posted the following
message on Congressman Emmer's Facebook page:
If I were you Emmer, I'd avoid people who have a lot of deadly objects at hand.
Selling us all out was not a good plan for your future. You're a coward and
a party whore.
WHEREAS, the message can be interpreted as threatening or espousing violence against
Congressman Emmer; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Maher's Facebook post was inappropriate, reflects poorly on the
City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes that
Councilmember Maher is hereby censured by the City Council for her posting on Congressman
Emmer's Facebook page.
Adopted by the Council of the City of Lino Lakes this 22nd day of May 2017.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Mayor Reinert and
was duly seconded by Councilmember Rafferty, and upon vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof:
Reinert, Rafferty, Manthey, Maher, Kusterman
and the following voted against:
none
ATTEST:
7ii ia e Bartell, Cit C er
Jeff Reine Mayor
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM 3D
STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson
MEETING DATE: May 22, 2017
TOPIC: Resolution to Censure Councilmember
VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5
INTRODUCTION
The City Council is being asked to consider a resolution censuring Councilmember Maher for
inappropriate comments on Congressman Tom Emmer's Facebook page.
BACKGROUND
On May 10th Mayor Reinert was contacted by Congressman Emmer's office that
Councilmember Maher had posted comments of a threatening nature earlier that morning on
Emmer's Facebook page. The matter was referred to Capital Police for further investigation.
Councilmember Maher admitted it was "a terrible lapse of judgment" and publicly apologized
to Congressman Emmer, Lino Lakes residents, other councilmembers, and City staff. Ms.
Maher also insisted she had no intention of personally threatening Mr. Emmer.
The City Council Code of Conduct policy provides that the Council can formally sanction a
councilmember by resolution at a council meeting if they determine the offending
councilmember engaged in inappropriate behavior.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff was directed to place this item on the Council agenda for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 17-48