Minutes - 2001/06/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council June 11, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 20 Council Member Thomas noted that, due to the nature of lawsuits, the most common answer is that due do pending Litigation Council Members are unable to comment. She noted that without the motion "no comment" would be the answer to all questions. She then noted that it maybe possible to answer some questions with better detail if they are formulated the City Attorney. Council Member Marty stated he understood the motion but stated he believes there have been a number of statements released to the press that he personally questions and those were never brought before Council. He then indicated he received telephone calls on some of the newspaper articles that appeared to have comments as coming from the Council as one body that he was unaware of. He further noted that he feels some of the information was printed simply to inflame residents and try certain people in the press which he takes great issue with. Council Member Thomas noted that the motion would not solve that issue as the City cannot control what other people release to the press. She noted that most or the majority of those articles were not released by Council and stated that the motion would allow for some control of what the City represents as its answer. Council Member Marty stated he agreed that the City could not do anything about articles released by other people but stated the articles were not released by other people they were released by or directly quoted the Mayor. He noted Council Member Stigney and former mayor McCarty were also quoted and he found their comments to be reasoned and factual and had no • exception with them at all. He further noted that he realizes that the City is in the position of possible litigation and recognizes the consequences a Council Member's comments could have but noted he still stands on freedom of speech for anyone and everyone. Council Member Thomas indicated that freedom of speech does not take away the consequences. She further noted the motion would control the responses that go out to the questions that come in. Council Member Quick noted that, when misinformation is printed, the City can respond in a single voice. Council Member Stigney asked for clarification as to the motion. He then stated he wanted to make sure that communications will come back to Council for approval and input before being sent out rather than just being approved by the Mayor. City Attorney Riggs stated that, in all honestly, in a situation of imminent pending litigation the comment of Council will be "no comment" and the matter will be handled either by his office or an attorney with the League of Minnesota Cities. Council Member Marty asked if the City Attorney was aware of any litigation on the matter at this point. City Attorney Riggs indicated that, based on correspondence received a week a go Wednesday, there is a threat of imminent litigation but noted he had not received anything at this point.