Agenda - Council - 07/13/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Metropolitan Council Writer s Direct Dial: (651) 6,)2-1723 Writer's Direct FAX: (651) 602-1640 Writer's E-Mail: jay.lindgren@metc.state.mn.us VIA FACSIMILE June 24, 1999 Mr. William Goodrich Randall Dehn & Goodrich 9.140 - 4th Avenue North Anoka, MN 55303 Dear Mr. Goodrich: , The Mayor of the City,,o,f Ra~m,s, ey currently is a member of the Metropolitan Council s Land Use Advisory Committee ( LUAC ). You have requested my opinion concerning whether such membership creates any conflict of interest issues from the Council's perspective. My client is the Metropolitan Council. This correspondence is provided merely as a courtesy to you and the City of Ramsey, and is not intended as legal advice to you or the City. LUAC's membership is mandated, at le,a, st in part, by the Minnesota Legislature. Minnesota Statutes Section 473.853 mandates that' [a]t least one-h'alfof th,e, members of the advisory committee shall be elected officials of local governmental units. The LU,,AC bylaws identify conflicts of interest. The bylaws state: No member shall vote in any committee deliberation relating to issues and proposals in which said member has a conflict of interest. The conflict of interest shall exist where a committee member: has a material financial interest in an issue or proposal; is an officer or employee of an institution, agency or other entity directly involved in an issue or proposal; or is related by blood or marriage to a party sponsoring an issue or proposal." It is my opinion that if the Mayor complies with these bylaw,s provisions and other relevant provisions 6fMinnesota law, from the Metropolitan Council s perspective, a legal conflict of interest is not created by serving on the legislatively mandated Land Use Advisory Committee. _Sincerely, ,. a~y R. !n~ General Counsel 230 East Fifth Street St. Paul. Minnesota 55101-1626 (651) 602-1000 Fax 602-1550 TDD/TTY 291-0904 Metro Info Line 602-1888 An ~t~ral Opporttmtty Employer