2016.05.24 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

May 24. 2016 Page i o1'6 Mayor Johnson appreciated the fact that the applicant had addressed her concerns regarding outdoor storage. Councilmember Bauman thanked the applicants for being in attendance. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays -Motion Carried COinmissl'o11 Liaison Reports, Ajlnouncements_and Updates Dean Lotter City Manager Lotter reported he took members of the DX response team to Delaware last week where he visited a treatment facility that uses similar technology that has been pilot tested by New Brighton. He provided the Council with an update on the legislative session. He discussed the changes that would be coming to local elections. He explained how absentee voting would be handled by the City. He indicated Minnesota would be moving to a primary in 2020 and noted the City would be receiving new voting equipment for the 2016 election. He reported the City received a petition regarding an Ordinance that was adopted on November 10, 2015 which moved elections from odd to even years. This petition was reviewed by City star -and it tvns determined the petition did not comply with State Statute and was therefore deemed invalid. He indicated the petition was received on May 13t1i and the deadline for that petition was May 18"'. The City had 10 business days to review and respond to the petition. He stated a response was sent to the petitioner within this deadline. He provided further comment on petition's timeline noting a Council election \could be held this fall and candidate filing would open on August 2"d. He indicated the municipal election would be held on November 81". It was noted that the vast majority of Minnesota cities hold their elections in even numbered years. He explained that holding municipal elections when community engagement is greatest reduces changes that a vocal minority or special interest group can impact local elections. It was noted the City would save over $10,000 by moving to even year elections. City Attorney Sonsalla indicated the City Clerk requested she review the petition. She advised the petition was found to be invalid based on the fact the State's nine requirements were not met, noting a summary statement for the petition was missing. Gina Bauman Councilmember Bauman asked for clarification regarding Section 8205.1 01 OD that was not on the statement. City Attorney Sonsalla described Section 8205.101 OD requires each petition page to have a summary statement for the petition. Councilmember Bauman reviewed the title and summary language that was included on the petition noting it was crafted by Attorney Gilchrist. She questioned where the conflict arose. City Attorney Sonsalla advised the title of the petition was Calling for a Referendum for the City of New Brighton Ordinance and there was no summary statement on the petition. Councilmember Bauman believed that the Minnesota Ballot Question was the title and the summary was calling for the referendum. She requested clarification from Attorney Gilchrist given the fact she followed his exact wording. She inquired why Ms. Sonsalla had a differing opinion from another attorney in her office. Mayor Johnson indicated former City Attorney Gilchrist was no longer working with the City of New Brighton because he did something inappropriate regarding the petition. Rather, it was due to the fact Councilmember Bauman chose to seek his advice on something that was a personal matter. These actions put the City Attorney and the entire law firm in a difficult position. She was disturbed by the fact that Councilmember Bauman would now hold former City Attorney Gilchrist accountable for her own actions when they were not authorized by staff or the City Council. Councilmember Bauman reviewed an email she received fi-om the former Mayor of the City of Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates