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this and texting applicants is not uncommon, it is a very common way to communicate with folks <br /> now days. Often times, it is the applicants' preferred method; therefore, he does that as well. <br /> Councilmember Howell asked if Councilmember Woestehoff was defending text messages at 1:46 <br /> a.m. She asked how many city attorneys he has asked if this is reasonable. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff replied they heard in their last meeting that this was a complete non- <br /> issue that they are escalating. He read a statement"it was mentioned earlier that they should strive <br /> for high organizational morale and employee retention." That was written in the strategic plan and <br /> was a good reminder because they are failing at it badly. Last March, the majority of this Council <br /> decided to adopt Resolution 422-068 directing City of Ramsey Staff, Authorities, Boards and <br /> Commissions to take and follow direction from the Ramsey City Council. This set a terrible tone <br /> for this Council and since then, they have lost over 75 years of experience. <br /> Councilmember Howell asked for point of order stating they are not talking about the resolution <br /> and asked Councilmember Woestehoff to stay on topic. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff replied he was. He stated Council didn't listen to Staff advice or their <br /> endorsement of the franchise fee. Council didn't listen to Staff advise when replacing the City <br /> Attorney, and now they disagree with the City Attorney. He stated Council hasn't listened to Staff <br /> advise about the most qualified candidates, from their experienced opinions, several times. When <br /> Staff asks for help, such as if Council could have an executive search team help with the City <br /> Administrator search, Council had said no,but let them know if you need anything else. He stated <br /> he is so disappointed in this body. He is very sorry to have lost such great Staff members recently. <br /> He stated he was not surprised,nor does he blame them. He posed the question to Councilmember <br /> Howell and Councilmember Musgrove when will it stop. Do they need everyone to quit. Is this <br /> just one more case for them to replace someone more aligned with their personal or political <br /> beliefs. He felt this was a cruel way to show power. <br /> Councilmember Howell asked for point of order for the personal attacks. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff asked how hostile of an environment they were willing to create. He <br /> stated Administrative Services Director Lasher is the utmost professional. The relentless concerns <br /> over such a minor incident was tyrannical and unkind. He stated the City Attorney had stated this <br /> should not have risen to a public performance review. He stated no right was violated, no <br /> negligence or error occurred from City Attorney Knaak's perspective. He stated he and <br /> Councilmember Howell disagree frequently and that is okay, that is necessary, but asked her next <br /> time she wants to pick a fight to pick him. He asked her not to belittle the Staff, but to fight with <br /> him because she is bored or thinks he is a Democrat, and because he signed up to be in this ring. <br /> He stated the Council's role is to enable the Staff to do their best job, to let them have a safe space <br /> to provide their ideas and solutions to problems. Council's job is to trust the Staff's years of <br /> experience which outweighs their years as politicians. He stated the residents need Council to <br /> strive for high organizational morale and employee retention, not because they said it in the <br /> strategic plan but because they need it. Otherwise, the most qualified candidates will not apply to <br /> replace all of the resignations they have received, including the one today. He stated they have <br /> already seen this. He stated although he was extremely happy with their candidate for City <br /> City Council/May 24, 2022 <br /> Page 9 of 21 <br />