June 4 2019 conversation with Brian Amundsen

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June 4, 2019 Conversation with Brian Amundsen, Nyle Zikmund and Mark Beer Approximately 9:30 AM Administrator Zikmund along with Finance Director Beer placed a call to Brian Amundsen who answered the phone. Advised him council had concerns, wanted to make changes and one that would impact him is the request to have him step down/resign. He questioned why, responded that it was due to resignation of Chair, their desire to have a functioning commission and that Council felt so strongly that absent a resignation they would petition the court for removal. He wanted to know who had initiated the discussion, response was the individual council members had reached out after viewing the charter commission meeting. Council requested that a discussion be held at the work session after a brief report at the last council meeting on the resignation of the chair. He sought further clarification on why and what his role was and failed to understand what any of it had to do with him. Advised that the Chairs resignation and two more pending were a direct result of his behavior and thus, it was related to him. He questioned process and reasoning and responded that council discussed for more than an hour last night and he could watch to get the best sense. Shared process was there discussion, this phone call, and absent a resignation a letter prepared by Attorney Riggs and myself would be ready for council next Monday night at their meeting for action. He would get a copy. He debated the process, was disappointed he was not invited to defend himself, did not understand why, etc. Shared again the high turnover, inability to keep a full commission and that anything less than a full commission was similar to a council operating with less than a full contingent – not appropriate. His response was that the commission had achieved a full complement recently to which I responded due in large part to council and my efforts and reminded him that one resignation was in hand and two more were pending. He admonished me for taking the credit and argued that commission members were active in securing members as well (Note – CM Meehlhause requested Justin Klander apply, Administrator Zikmund met with and requested Brooks Staples to apply, Brian requested and shared he actually completed the form for Bill Doty’s application) and still failed to understand the issues. I suggested to him that his passion may prevent him from being able to see the impact he has on others and reiterated he should watch the tape as the council had a robust discussion. He then explained his actions and position, concluded that it would be up the judge (and stated he was unaware of any judge ever doing this) and we would see what happens. Ps. I emailed Brian at 10:00 Am following up on the phone conversation, setting a deadline of 4:00 pm on Friday, and advising him council would be acting on the letter at the June 10, 2019 Council Meeting.