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<br />MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF INPUT <br /> <br />Resolution of Support to Metropolitan Council <br /> <br />Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to direct staff to draft a resolution <br />for Council adoption to be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee stating <br />the City's support for the reappointment of Representative Natalie Haas Steffen and stating the <br />work she has done for this area. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Mayor Gamec stated in his opinion of working with Representative Haas <br />Steffen for the past eight years, she has always had Ramsey and the surrounding area as a <br />concern. Councilmember Elvig stated he does not know of anyone that is more committed to the <br />task of being on the Metropolitan Council. Representative Haas Steffen has been quite <br />successful for their area and he wholeheartedly endorses her continuing in that position. <br />Councilmember Dehen stated Representative Haas Steffen has done a wonderful job; however, <br />he does not believe it should be the policy of this particular Council as a group to endorse anyone <br />for any application. This would be a dangerous precedent to set. He suggested Councilmembers <br />could write letters on behalf of Representative Haas Steffen. He stated it should not be the role <br />of this Council to pick and choose which candidates they want to endorse for a particular <br />position, especially when they do not even know if any other candidates are vying for that <br />position. Councilmember Look asked if Council has followed this process previously. Mayor <br />Gamec indicated he spoke in support of Representative Haas Steffen with her second term, as did <br />councilmembers from other communities. He noted the Governor's office likes to see if there is <br />support for the representative. Councilmember Dehen stated he is not opposed to that; however, <br />if the Council endorses a particular person it creates the appearance of impropriety, and if <br />someone else is elected they would feel slighted by the Council. He does not think it is the role <br />of Council to collectively write letters of recommendation. Councilmember Elvig stated he <br />understands where Councilmember Dehen is coming from and agrees with parts of it. What he <br />is comfortable in doing in this role is to let people know at the Metropolitan Council that the City <br />of Ramsey is very satisfied with the job Representative Haas Steffen has done for them and with <br />her competency, and that they support her. He does not think they are out to endorse her, but to <br />support that she has done a good job for this community. It may be a more palatable approach to <br />state the resolution in that way. Councilmember Dehen suggested the councilmembers could all <br />write that in individual letters; his opposition is to the body collectively doing this. Mayor <br />Gamec stated he would not like to see a resolution go forward in this case without total support. <br />He would suggest councilmembers prepare individual letters if they would like to express their <br />support. He expressed his respect for Representative Haas Steffen. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec withdrew the motion on the floor. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Elvig stated the big difference for him is that this is an <br />appointed position, not an elected position. The Governor's office is looking at whether this <br />person is doing a good job, and the City is being asked that question from Governor Pawlenty's <br />office. The collective response from this Council is that Representative Haas Steffen has done a <br />great job. They are not endorsing a candidate to run on election; it is someone that would be <br /> <br />City Council / March 13, 2007 <br />Page 19 of21 <br />