01-13-2015 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2015 MOTION: Council Member Fliflet moved TO REQUIRE THAT MEETINGS WILL BE RESCHEDULED AS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. The logistics of the proposed protocol were discussed. Mayor Pearson noted that the practice is basically already currently in place. MOTION PASSED 5-0. ITEM 22: STAFF PROTOCOL/RESPONSIBILITIES Council Member Fliflet explained that she wants staff to be able to comment and participate in discussion. She does not want to vote on anything where there are unvoiced staff concerns. Staff has told her they have been instructed to not interject. Council Member Bloyer said it is not appropriate to make the meetings longer by involving staff. Mayor Pearson said he welcomes staff opinions because that is their wheelhouse. City Administrator Zuleger explained that staff attempts to stay out of council to council issues. Mr. Zuleger clarified that the issue isn’t that staff felt their opinions weren’t welcomed by council; it was more that they felt they should not intervene between council members if certain council members had disagreements. Council Member Fliflet called for straw poll on receiving both facts and opinions from staff. Council consensus is that they want input. unanimously affirmed. Council Member Smith suggested that this be discussed at the retreat. Council Member Smith wants Council to approve The Source and Fresh prior to publication- The Source a week out and Fresh a day before. She stated that Washington County submits it for Commissioner approval prior to publication. She said that as Council Members, they have a right to review it. Mayor Pearson cautioned that it is important that policy discussions do not take place in these draft reviews. City Administrator Zuleger explained that staff will provide the drafts to Council. ITEM 23: REVIEW OF RESTRICTION IMPOSED ON COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH REGARDING STAFF COMMUNICATION MOTION: Council Member Bloyer moved TO POSTPONE THE ITEM TO NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. Mayor Pearson seconded the motion. Council Member Bloyer asked if either new council member had spoken to City Attorney or reviewed documents about the issue. Council Members Fliflet and Lundgren both said they had not. Council Member Fliflet asked for a 5 minute recess. Meeting recessed at 11:03 pm. Meeting reconvened at 11:09 pm. City Attorney Snyder asked that due to the involvement of potential non-public data, the discussion be moved to after the executive session. Some of the questions may be addressed during the closed session. MOTION FAILED 1-4 (PEARSON, FLIFLET, SMITH, AND LUNDGREN - NAY). MOTION: Council Member Fliflet moved TO POSTPONE THE ITEM TO AFTER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. Council Member Lundgren seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO RECEIVE PRIVATE PERSONNEL DATA MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION. Mayor Pearson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. Entered closed session at 11:15 pm. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO RECONVENE TO OPEN MEETING. Council Member Fliflet seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. Reconvened to Open Session at 2:04 am. City Attorney Snyder summarized the closed session. Present were City Attorney Snyder, Jessica Schwie, and the City Council. No action taken. MOTION: Council Member Fliflet moved TO POSTPONE THE ITEM TO 1/20/15 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 5-0. Page 8 of 9