Amundsen Ltr to Court Aug 2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Attachment 1 — Response to City Letter of July 11, 2019 Case File 62-CV 19-4965 The Chair and commissioners were notified 5 days prior to the meeting (Attachment 12, Email to Commission dated May 16, 2019) by email that I planned to ask for an agenda modification in order to clarify follow our own Bylaws. One member of a nine member commission can only propose, hope for a second and speak to the motion. It is the will of the body that determines if the motion is adopted or not. The Letter states that the "agenda included items specific to furtherance of his importance as Secretary, which resulted in the meeting being extended with several members questioning his motives." • I disagree with the statement. • The intent of the secretary duties agenda item, approved by the Commission, was to get clarity from the Commission about the secretary's duties, or have the Commission amend the duties and Bylaws. • The City Administrator had informed me that the Chair had changed the secretary duties and process, which is not within the chair's authority. I was seeking clarity, and stated so at the meeting. The secretary duties are specified in Bylaws and statute. • Statute 410.05 does have statutory requirements of the secretary, indicating some importance to the position of secretary for the Commission's functioning. • The commissioners did not appear to question my motives, but rather one commissioner asked "what are you trying to accomplish?" • The Commission made no changes to the secretary duties or practices on May 21, 2019. The Letter states "This lack of respect for others time, disrespect for the Chair, and dismissive attitude towards the Commission and City Attorney are the primary cause of the actual resignation and multiple pending resignations." • I disagree with the statement. • The Commission approved the meeting time extension, since the meetings agenda items had not been addressed in the allotted time. • I respect the Bylaws, the other commissioners and the City Attorney as persons. Having a difference of opinion does not imply disrespect of the person with whom you disagree. • Motions made on May 21, 2019, were seconded and subsequently approved by the Commission, with orderly debate. • The Chair conducted the meeting. • The Chair did not provide reason for her resignation. • No commissioner has approached me about feelings of disrespect. However, as I stated at the Council's meeting on June 10, 2019, if anyone felt any disrespect from me, it was not my intent and I'm sorry. Paragraph 11 The Letter states that "The dysfunction and ineffectiveness of the Charter Commission for more than a decade continues to prohibit the Council and the City from realizing the necessary contributions of the Commission and willing members that have stepped forward to serve the community." • I disagree with the statement. • This statement is attacking the entire Commission as a body, while their action targets just me, Page 11 of 13