Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/10/2024

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The consensus of the Council was to reduce the driveway setback requirement. Recess and Reconvene The meeting recessed at 6:54 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:36 p.m. 2.04: Mayor & City Council Candidate Forum City Administrator Hagen reviewed the Staff report on a Mayor and Council Candidate Forum. He shared that this was requested by Councilmembers Howell and Musgrove. Councilmember Howell shared that the League of Women Voters has a forum that is great; however, she is concerned with access to the public being cut off and not allowing live access to the experience. She added that questions had to be submitted online by a deadline. She explained that the editing of the forum is only authorized for official media reporting and excerpts cannot be used for political purposes, which violates the Fair Use Laws. She noted that as an organization that supports democracy, they are making this very inaccessible for people and not honoring Fair Use Laws. She shared Oak Grove has managed to pull off their own candidate forums and she believes Ramsey could do the same. Councilmember Woestehoff stated he likes the spirit of this; however, he noted that if it is done in conjunction with QCTV and they have their copyright restrictions in place. Councilmember Howell shared that she believes that Fair Use Laws would still apply. City Attorney Knaak explained that if information from a public meeting is trying to be restricted in any way is very problematic. He stated that this suggestion is something that they can do as long as it does not appear that they are favoring any side in any way. He noted that he would need to have a conversation with QCTV in regard to their restrictions. Councilmember Howell stated that she has problems with the restrictions that have not been addressed in the past. She noted that the new restriction that restricts the content feels like having too much control. She explained that she just wants all residents to have access to these forums and she is disappointed in the League of Women Voters for their restrictive efforts. Mayor Kuzma asked if Councilmember Howell is suggesting this for the 2024 election or elections moving forward. Councilmember Howell said she is suggesting it for this election and future elections unless something changes with the League of Women Voters. Mayor Kuzma stated that he does not know if they would be able to accomplish this for the 2024 election as early voting starts as early as next Friday. He said he would support this if early voting was not starting so soon but he does not think they have time to get this done. City Council Work Session/ September 10, 2024 Page 9 of 13