HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-2006 SMMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
5:32 P.M. Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Council Chambers, City Hall
Meeting No. 06-07
A. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chambers, at the City Hall, and was called to
order at 5:32 P.M. by Mayor Longrie.
B. ROLL CALL
Diana Longrie, Mayor Present
Rebecca Cave, Councilmember Present
Erik Hjelle, Councilmember Present
Kathleen Juenemann, Councilmember Present
Will Rossbach, Councilmember Present
Prior to starting the meeting Mayor Longrie asked City Attorney Kelly to provide a legal opinion of
whether the city council policy for calling a special meeting as stated in the policy and procedure
manual was in compliance with Minnesota State Statutes. Mr. Kelly referenced the policy and
procedures manual section 1 B and Minnesota Statute 13D.06 under the statute Mr. Kelly stated that for
a special meeting their must be a posted and written notice of the date, time, place and purpose.
The written mailed notice should be mailed out within one day prior to the meeting for persons who filed
a written request like the media. Mr. Kelly then referenced subdivision 7 actual notice. He stated that
the actual notice is when council members show up and have notice of the meeting. He explained that
the question with the conflict is the interpretation. If they are at the meeting, they have actual notice.
The key interpretation is actual notice. Mayor Longrie asked Mr. Kelly to confirm that the meeting was
ok to go, and no need to table it to another day. Mr. Kelly stated the purpose of a notice provision is to
ensure all council members have notice. Mayor Longrie expressed that she wanted to be sure the
meeting complied with the structure of those two requirements. Assistant City Attorney Lee who has
researched the subject extensively confirmed Mr. Kelly's opinion.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2a. Visitor Presentations
2b. Council Comments
Councilmember Rossbach moved to approve the agenda as amended.
Seconded by Mayor Longrie Ayes-Mayor Longrie,
Councilmembers Cave, Hjelle and
Rossbach
Nays-Councilmember Juenemann
03-14-06 Special City Council Meeting
D. NEW BUSINESS
Appointment to the Dispatch Policy Committee
Mayor Longrie presented the report.
City Manager Fursman presented specifics from the report.
c. Police Chief Thomalla and Councilmember Juenemann provided further specifics from
the report.
Councilmember Rossbach moved to appoint Councilmember Juenemann to the Dispatch Policy
Committee.
Seconded by Councilmember Hjelle Ayes-Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave,
Hjelle, and Rossbach
Abstain-Councilmember Juenemann
Maplewood Ordinance Sec. 2-101 -Pertaining to the City Manager
Mayor Longrie presented the report.
Mayor Longrie moved to terminate the City Manager from his position with his full severance
package and have Assistant City Manager Melinda Coleman as interim City Manager during the
search and hiring of Manager Fursman's replacement.
Seconded by Councilmember Cave
The following persons were heard:
Jerry Serfling, AFSCME Council V
Lori Tolzman, 812 Mary Street, Maplewood
Roxanne De Florin, Representing Citizens against Petty Politics
MaryLee Abrams, 2940 Frank Street, General Council for Law Enforcement Officers
Steven Hines, Maplewood Police Officer
George Rossbach, 1406 E. County Road C, Maplewood
Mike Stockstead, President, Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters
Kevin Schmidt, 1800 Phalen Place, Maplewood
Peter Fischer, Parks Commission Chair, 2443 Standridge Avenue
Mark Gernes, 1837 McKnight Road, Maplewood
City Attorney Kelly and Assistant City Attorney Lee discussed the possibility of a conflict of interest for
Councilmember Hjelle voting to remove the City Manager from his position since Mr. Hjelle is a Fire
Department employee.
Attorney Lee informed Mayor Longrie that due to the timeline of the meeting being called and held he
was unable to obtain an opinion from the Attorney General's Office.
Mayor Longrie withdrew her motion.
03-14-06 Special City Council Meeting
Mayor Longrie moved to direct the City Attorney to provide an opinion and information if it is a conflict of
interest for councilmember Hielle to vote on fire department issues and also if it is a conflict of interest
for councilmember Cave to vote on the termination of the City Manager and on fire department issues
since her husband is also employed by the fire department as a paid per call firefighter.
Seconded by councilmember Cave Ayes-Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave,
Juenemann and Rossbach
Abstain-councilmember Hjelle
E. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Longrie adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
03-14-06 Special City Council Meeting