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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 7, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Council Member Smith also thanked Alyssa Macleod for her service. Council Member Lundgren: Thanked Alyssa Macleod for her help in initiating the Farmers’ Market. Farmers’ market meeting will be held on 4/13 for anyone interested; she explained her reasons for wanting the use of plastic water bottles reevaluated; she proposed starting a neighborhood watch. PROCLAMATION Mayor Pearson read the National Library Week proclamation. PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES Jim Blackford, 9765 55th St., wants to be the change he wants to see in Lake Elmo. He asked that everyone improve their tone. He appreciated meeting he had with Mayor Pearson. Mr. Blackford stated his support for Council Member Smith. He believes she serves the city in a good manner. He doesn’t want to see whole city polarized. He asked Council Member Bloyer to reconsider his rhetoric. He stated that he supports Administrator Zuleger. He pledged to personally tone his rhetoric back. Dean Johnston, 10677 Cedar Heights Trail, Hastings, MN, supports the principles of the “We Love Lake Elmo” group. He agrees there should be more open transparency. He claimed to possess a copy of the draft summary of complaint against Council Member Smith. He questioned allegation of the existence of other complaints. He accused Council Member Bloyer of leaking the document to the press and called for his resignation. Nicole Park, 404 Lake Elmo Ave. spent two years as Council Member working with Administrator Zuleger. She described Mr. Zuleger as amazing. He was always a kind and respectful administrator and a good listener. He helped purchase the Library Building, started the EDA, brought new businesses to the city and works well with the business community, and helped eliminate the Met Council MOU. Mr. Zuleger has always gone above and beyond. Ben Roth, 10819 3rd St. Pl., asked that threat of litigation against the city by an employee be taken off the table. Brenda Taylor, 7945 Hill Trail thanked Mayor Pearson and Council Member Bloyer for bringing up issues that need to be addressed. She questioned the purpose of placing something on the agenda if it is taken off. She questioned the status of the previously mentioned third-party investigation and the need for the Council Driven Workshop. Both items were clarified as to what they entailed. It was noted that the third party review was as initiated as a result of an employment matter. Ms. Taylor called for Council Member Smith to resign. Deb Krueger, 4452 Lake Elmo Ave., spoke about her disappointment in Lake Elmo. She asked public to stop because no one knows all the facts. She claimed to be a victim of bullying and intimidation at City Hall. She is embarrassed by behavior in Lake Elmo. She asked the public to be more respectful. Neal Krueger, 4452 Lake Elmo Ave., read letter previously submitted for 3/17/15 meeting. See Exhibit 20150407A. Dale Dorschner, 3150 Lake Elmo Ave, spoke in support of maintaining the City Administrator during everything that is going on in Lake Elmo. He questioned the timing of getting rid of Mr. Zuleger and is concerned about losing more staff. He spoke about the value of staff and the cost of turnover. He spoke about civility and how the City was trying to increase it. He is concerned that the City business is not being done and asked how it will be done if staff is disrupted. He asked about alleged additional complaints and asked for outside review of complaints. City Attorney Snyder spoke about the complaint process and stated that all complaints, formal or informal, are handled in the best interest of the City. It was clarified that Mr. Snyder did provide counsel to the city Council regarding the previous restrictions against Council Member Smith. Council Member Bloyer stated that the previous Council did everything they could do to address the past issue involving the restrictions. He also asked Dean Johnston how he obtained the draft complaint. Mr. Johnston declined to answer. FINANCE CONSENT AGENDA 2. Approve Payment of Disbursements and Payroll in the amount of $164,164.62 3. Accept Building Report dated February 28, 2015 4. Approval for 2015 Tax abatement; Resolution No. 2015-26