Minutes - Council - 05/14/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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explained that the policy was getting at editorializing, but there was nothing wrong with saying what the vote was and who voted for what. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that the Mayor does 12 council updates and the remainder of the Councilmembers do three and he felt that that was a time to discuss the facts as well as give his opinion when he is asked. He stated that he felt like the policy was an attempt by the majority of the Council to censor what is said. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that the policy could be a violation of free speech because it is trying to limit what he says. Mayor Gamec replied that it was a policy taken from other cities. Councilmember Hendriksen clarified that the policy was written by the City Administrator. City Administrator Norman replied that that was correct. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he did not have a large problem with the policy as long as it is interpreted as it was stated by the City Attorney. If it is interpreted in a self serving way in order to control what the citizens of Ramsey know and as a censorship tool then he does have a problem. Councilmember Zimmennan inquired as to why such a policy was brought forward. Mayor Gamec stated that he had requested that such a policy be drafted because he had received a lot of comments from residents regarding remarks being made by some Councilmembers. Councilmember Kurak stated that no one is trying to hide how they vote on an issue. The issue is the type of comments that are being made, which are disrespectful to their colleagues. It's the impression that is left when something is being said about someone when the other person can't respond. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that it was interesting that Councilmember Kurak went to other QCTV commissioners trying to pass a censorship policy and they all turned it down and now it is trying to be done here. Councilmember Kurak replied that she did not go to any members of QCTV to try and pass a censorship policy. She explained that she had been asked by the Mayor to discuss the issue with Terry O'Connell and his response was that it was a City matter. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that what he should have stated is that the manager of QCTV, and other persons, reported that Ms. Kurak was soliciting their support for such a policy. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, and Anderson. Voting No: Councilmembers Hendriksen, and Zimmerman. Case #14: Report from Personnel Committee The Personnel Committee met on May 14, 2002 to discuss the following cases: 1) Authorize Hiring of Public Works Maintenance Worker The Personnel Committee recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution #02-05- 117 authorizing the hiring of Todd Marlette for the position of full~time Public Works Maintenance Worker at a starting wage of $15.0364/hour plus benefits and two weeks vacation, contingent upon successful completion of employment physical and drug/alcohol screen. 2) Authorize Hiring of Accounting Clerk The Personnel Committee recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution #02-05- 118 authorizing the hiring of Nancy Hinrich for the position of full-time Accounting City Council/May 14, 2002 Page 31 of 36