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<br />claim exists. She explained that significant questions remained regarding the legal theory, <br />damages, standing, and causation necessary to support a lawsuit. She emphasized that the proposed <br />resolution would authorize only further exploration of those issues, rather than direct the City to <br />file suit. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher began her comments by recognizing newly appointed Fire Chief Andy <br />Winkel and humorously suggesting that public donations might be better directed toward <br />purchasing additional turnout gear for firefighters than toward exploring litigation. She then <br />questioned whether any residents had specifically requested that the City pursue legal action <br />against the governor. After learning that staff had not received such requests, she asked City <br />Administrator Hagen and City Attorney Johnson how much staff time had already been spent <br />researching the proposal. Both estimated that they had devoted several hours to the issue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher expressed concern that the proposal appeared underdeveloped and <br />questioned whether the Council should authorize further legal exploration before receiving more <br />information regarding potential claims, damages, costs, and legal standing. She asked City <br />Attorney Johnson whether she had consulted other attorneys and what conclusions had been <br />reached. <br /> <br />City Attorney Johnson explained that preliminary conversations had not identified a clear legal <br />claim and reiterated that specialized litigation counsel would be necessary to evaluate the issue <br />fully. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher argued that the proposal appeared speculative and questioned why it had <br />not been discussed first in a work session. She repeatedly emphasized that no residents had <br />requested such litigation and stated that she did not understand why the Council was pursuing the <br />matter. <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen explained that staff had intentionally limited the amount of time spent <br />on the proposal until receiving direction from the full Council. He noted that Ramsey's established <br />practice is for staff to conduct a preliminary review when at least two Councilmembers express <br />interest in an item and then bring the matter to the Council for discussion. He stated that further <br />research, outreach to other cities, and consultation with outside legal experts would occur only if <br />the Council authorized additional exploration. He also reiterated his general preference that <br />significant policy discussions first occur during work sessions whenever possible. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley questioned why the matter had not been brought to a work session before <br />appearing on a regular Council agenda. <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen responded that while he generally prefers work session discussions, the <br />Council has the authority to place items directly on an agenda when requested by at least two <br />Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley then questioned City Attorney Johnson about the language in the resolution <br />and asked whether she was comfortable with statements asserting that Governor Walz had lied to <br />residents. <br />City Council /May 26, 2026 <br />Page 16 of 19 <br /> <br />