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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />June 27, 2017 <br />Page 4 <br />1 past few years including the Islamic temple, the closing of Lowry Grove, the murder of Philando <br />2 Castile, the actions of the police department, legal fees paid by the City, and added liability for <br />3 the City. Ms. Sherman stated a Mayor is needed to communicate and answer questions, noting <br />4 she believes that violations of Title VI were also included. She stated legal settlements after -the- <br />5 fact do not indicate leadership and asked Mayor Faust to resign. <br />6 <br />7 Ms. Antonio Alvarez, resident of Lowry Grove, speaking through an interpreter, indicated that in <br />8 the last 14 months she has had no representation from the City. She stated she saw Mayor Faust <br />9 at the vigil for Frank, who committed suicide because he was losing his home. Ms. Alvarez <br />10 believed the City has done nothing to provide affordable housing for the residents of Lowry <br />11 Grove and they do not have representation. She noted Frank voted for the Council but the chairs <br />12 they are in are too big for them. She wants justice for Lowry Grove residents and affordable <br />13 housing as many residents will end up homeless. <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />Ms. Beth Wook, Como Area 1145 Argyle, stated she is exasperated about the verdict for Officer <br />Yanez for killing Philando Castile. She stated a cousin of Philando's was protesting for the <br />death of his cousin, was arrested, and the trials were postponed. Ms. Wook stated she resents <br />how Mayor Faust treated her rudely. She thinks Mayor Faust should resign and has blood on his <br />hands as well as the other Councilmembers. Ms. Wook stated it sickens her about Frank who <br />killed himself, noting the whole world is watching St. Anthony. She believes that Officer Yanez <br />was not a good fit for an officer. <br />Ms. Luann Zappa, 2501 Lowry, stated she moved in November to Mounds View and is a <br />recovering addict. She stated she helps others with their recovery and is taking in people from <br />Lowry Grove who have nowhere else to live. Ms. Zappa noted that others in St. Anthony have <br />also taken in Lowry Grove residents. She stated she takes care of her people and she is a lonely <br />disabled woman. <br />Ms. Michelle Gross, president of the organization Communities United Against Police Brutality, <br />stated she is supporting the residents of St. Anthony. She stated she attended the trial, is certain <br />Officer Yanez lied on the stand, and that Chief Mangseth validated those lies. Ms. Gross stated <br />Officer Yanez has offers to go to other communities and their 24 -hour hotline has received calls <br />from people regarding Officer Yanez. She believed that Officer Yanez has an anger management <br />problem. Ms. Gross stated people had attempted to complain about Officer Yanez and St. <br />Anthony kept him knowing he had a problem. She believed that people don't give others close to <br />$3 million if they have no liability and that there are more lawsuits coming. Ms. Gross stated the <br />Council needs to bring back materials from conferences they attend and do something with it. <br />She believed there was a problem with the culture of the leadership of the community and the <br />police department and that Mayor Faust should step down immediately. <br />A speaker who did not identify herself stated she was born and raised in St. Anthony and lived in <br />Lowry Grove. She now lives in Edgemere and her son was stabbed when across the street of her <br />home. She stated had a fence downed and tried to complain to the City. She stated she was <br />harassed by a neighbor so her son came and stayed with her because she was afraid. Then she <br />was notified by the City Attorney that her son would need to leave since he was parking his <br />business equipment. She stated she is not black, she is not poor, and the City has done nothing <br />4 <br />