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COUNCIL TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION <br /> <br />#1: Economic Development Authority <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated that Councilmember Hendriksen had asked for this item to be <br />on this agenda. <br /> <br />Councihnember Hendriksen stated he has a problem with the organization of the EDA and the <br />fact that the appointments were made in December. He felt it was done in a less than honest way <br />and that Council needs to discuss all background issues. He noted that Glen Hardin was present <br />and stated that he (Hendriksen) does not feel that he (Hardin) belongs on the EDA given his <br />history with the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Haas Steffen to Attorney Goodrich - where are we with defamation? <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich responded the liability lies in slander - whether spoken or written. He cautioned <br />that what would be said cannot harm anyone's character illegally. Statements made need to be <br />factually true. If statements are proven false, that could be slander. The speaker and the City <br />could be held liable if what is said harms someone and his reputation. Only facts can be spoken. <br /> <br />Councihnember Hendriksen commented that the things he is stating is his personal opinion. You <br />calmot harm a person's reputation by insinuations. <br /> <br />Councihnember Haas Steffen stated that the first thing said was this organization was less than <br />honest. Council talked in October 1998, had a hearing in November 1998, we received no <br />negative comments. She offered a resolution and all of Council voted in the affirmative. There <br />was nothing dishonest about it. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he made a list of who could be on this organization. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that Mr. Hardin's name was withheld. Mr. Norman had <br />stated that the name was not on the list because the City wanted to check with Mr. Hardin first. <br /> <br />Councihnember Zimmerman stated to Mayor Gamec that he never said who would be on the <br />EDA. He suggested that a decision should have waited for the new Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that this is a very serious breach of the level of trust that he <br />would expect going into the new Council. He stated that he has a problem with the old Council <br />saddling him with someone he has a problem with. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he discussed this with Councilmember Zimmerman and he did not <br />have a problem because City Council had the final approval. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that whether we have final say or not, EDA has information <br />that is not given to all. This can influence which way certain deals move and given the history, <br />he did not feel comfortable with that. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session - March 15, 1999 <br /> Page 2 of 12 <br /> <br /> <br />