10-21-2014 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2014 Page 5 of 6 MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO RECESS THE MEETING. Council Member Nelson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0 Mayor Pearson recessed meeting at 8:37 pm until Monday, October 27, 2014 at 3pm. MOTION: Council Member Nelson moved TO RECONVENE THE 10/21 MEETING. Council Member Reeves seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0 Mayor Pearson called the reconvened meeting to order at 3:00pm on Monday, October 27, 2014. Council present: Pearson, Nelson, Smith, Bloyer, and Reeves. Staff present: City Attorney Snyder and City Clerk Bell. Mayor Pearson provided brief overview of purpose of continuation of meeting. Mayor Pearson read letter from Stillwater Gazette reporter/Complainant. The letter was delivered to the city attorney on 10/21 immediately prior to council meeting. Council Member Reeves noted that he was present when the reporter came back into the building. She was visibly upset. He is not sure what to do. Council Member Smith does not believe the conversation involved anything inappropriate. Council Member Nelson is concerned that the apparent pattern continues. He asserted that the report of naming previous complaining staff person was wrong. Their job is to protect the taxpayers. Ms. Smith denied mentioning anyone’s name to reporter. Council Member Bloyer is disappointed that allegations of this behavior continues. He wants to know how actions will be corrected. Ms. Smith noted her attorney is present. Mayor Pearson alleged that this behavior is not an isolated event. He stated it is incumbent upon Council to provide safe environment for public and staff. Mr. Reeves noted that it is important to consider recipients’ perspective when delivering message. What one person may find harmless, others may take issue with. Mayor Pearson asked if Council Member Smith admitted that the facts stated in the letter are accurate. Ms. Smith disagreed with content of letter. She acknowledged that things could have been done or handled differently, but there was nothing inappropriate in her behavior. She noted that she apologized to paper. Mr. Nelson asked how council moves forward after this type of behavior. He claimed there have been 4 recent incidents. Ms. Smith denied that there have been 4 incidents. MOTION: Mayor Pearson moved TO RENOUNCE THE ACTIONS OF COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH AS DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER. Council Member Bloyer/Nelson (at same time?) seconded the motion. Mayor Pearson stated that the allegations are significant enough that they cannot be ignored. He asked Council Member Smith if she admits to what the reporter alleged. Council Member Smith stated she accepts that the reporter said what she said but she reiterated that she does not accept the totality of the circumstances and disagrees with the opinion that anything inappropriate took place. She again stipulated that things could have been handled differently. Council Member Reeves wants responsibility taken for actions. Mr. Reeves also explained he wanted to amend the motion to state “RENOUNCE AND REPUDIATE THE ACTIONS OF COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH AS DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER AND TO REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO A SAFE AND HARASSMENT FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEES.” Mayor Pearson accepted the addition as a friendly amendment. Council Member Smith asked for opportunity to consult with her attorney. The meeting was recessed 3:23pm. The meeting was reconvened 3:25pm.