Agenda Packets - 2002/06/10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council May 28, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Stigney asked what the payment in the amount of $1,110.97 for a security officer was for. Finance Director Hansen indicated it was for a security officer out at the golf course during the strike. Mayor Sonterre indicated it was part of the strike contingency plan. Council Member Stigney indicated he was not aware of the fact that a security officer was hired for the golf course and said, as a Council Member, he should be aware of what is going on. City Administrator Miller indicated she had consulted with the City Attorney to discuss whether a security officer was needed at the golf course because of some vandalism. She then said that the City Attorney had indicated to her that she had the authority to engage a security firm as part of the contingency plan. She further indicated that she had entered into a temporary contract with the security firm and had informed the Mayor of her actions. Council Member Stigney commented that the Mayor has no authorization to make such a decision on his own and said Council should have been polled. City Attorney Miller indicated she cannot poll Council and clarified that the City Attorney and she had discussed the matter and determined it would be appropriate to enter into the contract for security as it was approved by Council as part of the strike contingency plan. City Attorney Riggs indicated that polling Council Members would have been a violation of the open meeting laws and explained that there was no way to get an emergency meeting scheduled and Staff determined that Council had previously given authorization to enter into a contract for security services by approval of the strike contingency plan. City Administrator Miller clarified that she did not mean to imply that the Mayor had been asked for his approval. She indicated she had informed the Mayor of her decision so that he was aware of the situation. Council Member Stigney indicated he did not like the fact that he found out there was a security officer at the golf course by way of a claim for approval. City Administrator Miller indicated that, if something of this nature should occur in the future, she would inform all Council Members. Council Member Quick pointed out there were a number of contingency plans to cover various emergency type situations so that the City can run without Council present. Council Member Stigney commented that he feels he should have been alerted.