11.25.19 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council November 12, 2019 Regular Meeting Page 2 2 Bill Morrie, 8141 Red Oak Court, explained he has been a resident of Mounds View for the past 3 45 years. He commented on a petition that was signed on August 5th to remove Brian Amundsen 4 from the Charter Commission. He explained time did not permit him to discuss all of the 5 rationale behind the City's decision. He understood that the City believed the Charter 6 Commission was not able to work effectively operate due to Brian's actions and specifically his 7 conduct at the May 21, 2019 meeting. He reported City Attorney Riggs represented the City at 8 the court hearing and Brian defended himself. He was of the opinion that several City Council 9 meetings and other City meetings defamed and dishonored Brian's good reputation in Mounds 10 View. He commented this was a great source of anguish for both Brian and his wife. He 11 reviewed the findings from Judge Guthman noting the Judge found Brian Amundsen to be polite 12 and courteous. He reported differing opinions and outlooks are generally desirable features for 13 memberships in a public body. He explained the petition to remove Brian Amundsen was 14 dismissed and the petition was denied. 15 16 Kay Morrie, 8141 Red Oak Court, stated the petition to remove Brian Amundsen from the City 17 of Mounds View Charter Commission was denied and the petition was dismissed. She explained 18 Brian could retain his position with the Charter Commission. She indicated the allegations 19 brought against Brian were a source of public dishonor to his reputation and harmed him 20 personally. She hoped that by publicly reviewing the judge's findings that Brian's reputation in 21 this community be restored to the high honor it deserved. She requested an apology from the 22 City Council. She reported she has known Brian Amundsen for many years and she believed he 23 was a man of integrity. 24 25 Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, stated throughout the summer he attended meetings 26 where he was being attacked for his actions as well as on his character and service to the 27 community. He explained he received the blessings of God's wisdom, support from his wife 28 Valerie, his children and friends, along with fortitude to withstand the false allegations and court 29 hearing. He reported the request to remove him from the Charter Commission has been denied 30 by the District Court Judge because the Judge found him to be both courteous and polite. He 31 stated the court found the characterizations of his actions from May 21St were untrue and that he 32 was not the cause of the Commission's vacancies in the past or at present. He indicated the 33 Charter Commission may conduct business when a quorum is present per the Commission's 34 bylaws. He explained the effectiveness of the Charter was not based on what the work is, or 35 whether amendments were passed or not. He stated the court found the removal request did not 36 meet a legal cause standard which was set back in 1893 by the Minnesota Supreme Court. He 37 shared information with Mounds View residents stating Charter amendments require two of three 38 groups (City Council, Charter Commission and Mounds View residents) to make an amendment. 39 He reported one group could not make an amendment without the agreement of another group. 40 He discussed how the City's charter preserves government control and provides the ability to 41 referendum, petition on Ordinances and to limit annual levies. He stated he would continue to be 42 a custodian of the City's Charter, to preserve the citizen's rights contained within, and through 43 God's justice he enjoyed the love and support of his wife, family and friends. 44