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City Attorney Knaak replied the idea behind a good set of procedures is they don’t get wrapped <br />up in them. It is supposed to be functional and conducts business. He stated he will happily supply <br />information and provide the Mayor with his own copy that is recommended by the League. He <br />stated with something like that, he would expect to be included. <br /> <br />Mayor Kuzma stated his goal with bringing up this issue was to try to bring some civility back <br />because he felt like they were getting a little out of control. <br /> <br />City Attorney Knaak stated he could see that but from his perspective it isn’t that bad. He stated <br />whatever issues they think they have, they are still at a level functionally and personally that are <br />still doable, with a little bit of effort, to continue the civility. He stated he would have been happy <br />to see the behavior of the Council last night in comparison to other councils. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove agreed with Councilmember Howell that sometimes things get said and <br />it maligns Ramsey; that is what she brought up as a concern. That it was spoken at the podium <br />that the Council is harassing Staff and that is what was published in the newspaper. She stated <br />that isn’t true as far as she is concerned. She asked if that isn’t happening how do they, as a <br />Council, counter that message. <br /> <br />City Attorney Knaak agreed with Councilmember Howell’s statement that they can’t control what <br />gets written, but in some cities the Communications Director has the added role, to put out a <br />corrective press release to proactively respond to negative comments that are questionable. He <br />stated that has never been done in Ramsey but he thought there is value in that. He stated he had <br />experience with negative press in a local newspaper and the response he got from the editor was <br />that it wasn’t personal, they were selling newspapers. He stated what they can do is to make sure <br />whatever message gets sent out from the City reflects accurately the position of the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell commented she thought part of the problem started here. She recounted <br />events from the May 24, 2022 meeting which created a narrative about her from a fellow <br />Councilmember which she felt was untrue and for which she was attacked in the paper. She asked <br />how she was supposed to get past that narrative. She stated Councilmember Riley has been <br />unhappy with the Communications Department and somehow that got put on her in the Star <br />Tribune also. She stated she understood that the paper writes its own articles but pointed out it is <br />something to intensely disagree but being factually accurate based on the meetings would be <br />helpful. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff stated Councilmembers Howell and Musgrove brought the case <br />forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell replied Councilmember Musgrove brought the case forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff replied it takes two people to bring a case forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell countered Councilmember Musgrove brought the case forward on her <br />own. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / June 28, 2022 <br />Page 15 of 20 <br /> <br />