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Mounds View City Council March 27, 2000 <br />Regular Meeting Page 23 <br /> <br />K. Consideration of New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber of Commerce <br />Correspondence regarding the Economic Development Commission. <br /> <br />Mayor Coughlin provided the Council with copies of a letter he received that date from the New <br />Brighton-Mounds View Chamber of Commerce, which was addressed to the City Council and <br />himself. He requested City Administrator Whiting read the letter, after which the Council could <br />discuss possible action. <br /> <br />City Administrator Whiting read as follows: <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Coughlin and City Council, <br /> <br />We understand that the Economic Development Commission consists of several seats held by <br />city residents and two seats held by local business owners. One seat is held by Julie Olsen. <br /> <br />After the recent letters to the editor with the reference to Adolph Hitler we feel that Ms. Olsen <br />should be removed from this seat. Clearly her attitudes do not reflect the business community <br />nor do we want this type of publicity for Mounds View and its businesses. <br /> <br />We support your efforts to cable cast the Commission meeting including the Economic <br />Development Commission and the Charter Commission. Because of this, it is extremely <br />important to us that the community does not associate Ms. Olsen’s attitude with the business <br />community. This seat on the Economic Development Commission should be held by a business <br />owner in Mounds View who pays business rate taxes, franchise fees and supports the need for the <br />city to move ahead in a positive productive manner. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Carol Frey <br />President <br />New Brighton-Mounds View Area Chamber of Commerce <br /> <br />Mayor Coughlin stated he has attached to the letter Section 408.06 Subd. 2, regarding the Code <br />pertaining to the Economic Development Commission, for Council reference. He stated the first <br />portion of this paragraph indicates “Any member of the Commission may be removed from <br />office for just cause and on written charges by at least four-fifths (4/5) of the entire Authority. <br />Such member may be entitled to a public hearing before such a vote is taken.” <br /> <br />Mayor Coughlin stated in light of the significant gravity of this matter, and the vote of “no <br />confidence” by the business community, he would request City Attorney Long advise if it would <br />be in order for the Council to set a public hearing to provide that all parties could address this <br />matter. <br /> <br />City Attorney Long stated it was the Economic Development Authority that would take the <br />action, and currently they are sitting as the City Council, therefore, the Council could make a <br />recommendation to the Economic Development Authority to hold a public hearing at their next