Minutes - Council - 06/14/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Riley agreed with the comment that robust discussion occurred and he thought the result was a good policy. Councilmember Howell pointed out that Council wanted to be neutral and take a hands-off approach. She pointed out that Councilmember Woestehoff recently resigned from the Charter Commission as he said he would if a policy was put in place. She thanked him for doing that and following through on his word. She expressed concerns about a letter that was sent to the judge by Councilmember Woestehoff. She read “Honorable Chief Judge Hiljus, the policies adopted by the City of Ramsey that will soon state that no member of the Ramsey City Council shall be appointed to the Charter Commission. Therefore, I hereby resign my position on the City of Ramey’s Charter Commission. Although believe I am duly qualified, I appreciate this separation of authority between the two bodies and support that the City Council sees fit to write it as such in policy. However, as an individual resident of Ramsey I do hope that continued prudence may be taken with future appointments. We have a long-time commissioner who believe the election of 2020 was a fraud, and that the global pandemic has been, and I quote a ‘dempanic.’ They shout at meetings, residents and Councilmembers yet our Staff and Council have very limited recourse to correct or prevent these behaviors. Divisive agendas and aggressive demeanors - in person or online - such as this make will continue to make all residents question the future of Ramsey. After all, the commissioner’s duty is to improve our government and not dismantle it. To grow and enable engagement of our citizenry, not create, spread or support unfounded conspiracy theories in public. I thank you for your service, your dedication to democracy, and know I truly trust your leadership. If there are any questions you have or if I can provide any future insight, please reach out as I am happy to discuss it further. Sincerely, Matt Woestehoff.” Councilmember Howell stated it was her understanding that Council was going to take a step back and as a private resident, Councilmember Woestehoff is within his right to write what he wishes to the judge. She stated it is difficult when things happen as they did at the May 24, 2022 meeting. She stated she didn’t find the statements accurate and that the Commissioner wasn’t able to defend himself to the judge. She asked Councilmember Woestehoff to work with Council and get along. Motion by Councilmember Woestehoff, seconded by Councilmember Musgrove, to adopt Resolution #22-134 Approving a Policy for the Recruitment, Application and Judge Appointment Process for the Charter Commission. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Kuzma, Councilmembers Woestehoff, Musgrove, Heineman, Howell, Riley, and Specht. Voting No: None. 7.07: Motion to Direct Staff on the Process to Advertise for Applications for the Current Charter Commission Vacancy Administrative Services Director Lasher stated this policy that was just adopted didn’t exist when they received a resignation and asked for direction on how to proceed to ensure things are handled exactly as the Council would like. She stated there is currently one vacancy on the Charter Commission. She noted that it must be advertised in the Ramsey Resident, which for the first time the July/August has the small continuous ad for the Charter Commission. That meets the requirement of the City Charter to advertise for vacancies. She stated another thing that must happen is advertising the City’s official newspaper with a legal ad, which will happen. She City Council /June 14, 2022 Page 14 of 17