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Mayor Pro Tem Riley stated today he had found a resolution from Lexington in the news that was <br />similar to what they are considering. He passed this along through the city channels including City <br />Attorney Knaak. He stated that before them was an ordinance and a resolution for discussion. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell asked what the number was for the Lexington resolution so she could look <br />it up. Mayor Pro Tem Riley replied 2209. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht commented that in reading the ordinance he felt it was specific to Ramsey <br />and the employees which he felt was fair, but the resolution was more broad. He stated he wouldn’t <br />be opposed to doing a general resolution showing support of medical freedom and an ordinance <br />against employees who would impede that freedom. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove commented she appreciated the work done to consolidate it and create <br />a more cohesive resolution with the addition of the ordinance. She liked the fact that the ordinance <br />puts more protection into it for individual employees against discrimination. The resolution <br />doesn’t do that but she also liked it. As she was reading through the Lexington resolution, she <br />liked how it was worded and felt it was similar to their first attempt which included a lot of things. <br />She liked the updated version of the Ramsey resolution better. <br /> <br />Mayor Pro Tem Riley stated it had been discussed that the impetus for this was the vaccination <br />mandate which has been stricken by the Supreme Court and asked if this is necessary. <br /> <br />The majority consensus of the Council was that it was necessary. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff commented he was a minority vote. He stated that his hesitation with <br />it is that he didn’t disagree with it in premise but felt the wording that was missing was “mandates <br />without reasonable exception or exemption.” He stated the ability to have mandates is a useful <br />tool; however, he agreed that there should be a broad interpretation of exemptions and exceptions <br />to that. <br /> <br />Mayor Pro Tem Riley commented that two members supported the idea of using both a resolution <br />and an ordinance. He asked Councilmember Howell if she was in agreement. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell commented her perspective is that the City shouldn’t tell people what is <br />best. She felt the minute that exemptions are put in place, the City has taken the power from the <br />people which is a perspective she can’t support. She has noticed other cities putting restrictions <br />on residents but felt Ramsey could be better. She liked the ordinance over the resolution but would <br />consider both. <br /> <br />Mayor Pro Tem Riley stated he didn’t like the ordinance because he felt it was overkill and limiting <br />because it limits the City. He thought it was the intention for the City to say what they are against. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff commented that the ordinance is fairly narrow and would require <br />enforcement. He stated it was directed at the City versus other employers which could easily be <br />interpreted as a part of the HR policy as an alternative to being an ordinance. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / January 25, 2022 <br />Page 15 of 23 <br /> <br />