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t Metropolitan Council <br />Improve regional competitiveness in a global economy <br />February 22, 2001 <br />Mr. James Norman, City Administrator <br />City of Ramsey <br />15153 Nowthen Boulevard N.W. <br />Ramsey, Minnesota 55303 -6197 <br />Dear Mr. Norman: <br />You recently called to see if the Metropolitan Council has background information regarding <br />potential conflict of interest issues that might arise when City Councils vote on comprehensive <br />plans or zoning matters. When I was General Counsel for the Metropolitan Council I sometimes <br />was asked to consider potential conflict of interest issues. I analyzed the potential conflict issues <br />on a case -by -case basis because it was my experience that conflicts of interest depend greatly on <br />the specific facts of the particular case. <br />You probably will want to ask your City Attorney to examine any particular conflict issues that <br />may be associated with City Council deliberations or votes on comprehensive plans or zoning <br />issues. However, to assist you and the City Attorney I have enclosed for your consideration <br />copies of three memoranda prepared by myself and other Metropolitan Council attorneys that <br />generally discuss conflict of interest issues. The endnotes to the March 18, 1991 memorandum <br />include references to court decisions and Minnesota Attorney General opinions that address <br />various conflict of interest issues. Although the March 1991 memorandum is somewhat dated, <br />the court decisions and Attorney General opinions still are useful. I also have enclosed for your <br />consideration a copy of a September 11, 1978 Minnesota Attorney General opinion that discusses <br />potential conflict of interest issues in the context of a city rezoning matter. The 1978 Attorney <br />General opinion might provide some guidance. <br />I hope the enclosed material is helpful. Please let me know if I can provide additional assistance. <br />Sincerely, <br />Jay R. Lindgren <br />Regional Administrator <br />Enclosures <br />cc: Natalie Haas Steffen, Council Member <br />Nils Grossman, General Counsel <br />Office of the Regional Administrator <br />FLD 2001 <br />BY: <br />www.metrocouncil.org Metro Info Line 602 -1888 <br />230 East Fifth Street • St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 -1626 • (651) 602 -1000 • Fax 602 -1550 • TTY 291 -0904 <br />An Equal Opportunity Employer <br />