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December 8, 2015 <br />Motion by Councilmember Strub, seconded by Councilmember Burg to adopt a Resolution <br />Establishing the 2016 Utility Rates and Charges. <br />4 Ayes,1 Nay (Bauman opposed) -Motion Carried <br />6. Discuss Removal of Two Commissioners Per City Code Chapter 2 Section 2-60 <br />Councilmember Burg explained City commissioners serve at the will of the City Council. In addition <br />commission members assisted the Council in making good decisions. She requested the Council consider <br />removing Susan Erickson from the Planning Commission and Bruce Knight from the Economic <br />Development Commission due to the fact these commissioners were bringing false information to the public <br />this past summer regarding urban farming. She did not believe these commissioners were serving in the best <br />interest of the City Council. <br />Councilmember Strub supported this recommendation. <br />Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Strub to recommend the City Council <br />remove Susan Erickson from the Planning Commission and Bruce Knight from the Economic <br />Development Commission. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen understood the Planning Commission was already short a member. He feared <br />how the group would continue serving if it was missing two members. <br />Councilmember Burg recommended the Council seek willing candidates as soon as possible for the open <br />seats and noted the Planning Commission only needed four members for a quorum. It was her hope the issue <br />would be resolved prior to the new year. <br />Councilmember Bauman was surprised this item was added to the agenda prior to being discussed at a <br />worksession meeting. She opposed the motion wholeheartedly. She did not believe the actions of the <br />Commissioner members was untruthful. Rather, the flyers were distributed by concerned citizens of New <br />Brighton who happen to serve on commissions. She suggested that if these members were being removed, <br />that the Council also consider removing Mary Konish-Podeen due to the fact she was making personal <br />attacks against her on Facebook. She believed it was in poor taste for the Council to discuss this matter on <br />camera and reiterated that the Council had agreed to address this matter at an upcoming worksession meeting. <br />Mayor Jacobsen believed this issue came down to politics. He discussed a recent slanderous event that <br />occurred in New Brighton against him stating the misinformation originated from Councilmember Bauman. <br />He explained he supported the motion on the floor. <br />Councilmember Bauman offered an amendment to the motion on the floor. <br />Amendment: Motion by Councilmember Bauman to recommend the City Council also remove Mary <br />Konish-Podeen from her Commission position. The amendment motion failed for a lack of second. <br />4 Ayes, l Nay (Bauman opposed) -Motion Carried <br />Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates <br />Dean Lotter <br />City Manager Lotter appreciated the Council's support on the levy, budget and proposed utility <br />rates. He thanked the Council for their efforts over the past six months and looked forward to <br />a productive 2016. He noted there would be a Cable Commission meeting of City Managers on <br />December 16''. He reported on the discussions being held by MOSAC. He then thanked <br />Mayor Jacobsen for his service to the City of New Brighton over the past six years and wished <br />him well. <br />Page 9 of 11 <br />6. Discuss Removal of <br />Two Commissioners <br />Per City Code Chapter <br />2 Section 2-60. <br />Commission Liaison <br />Reports, <br />Announcements and <br />Updates <br />