2016.12.13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 22, 2016 Page 6 of 8 Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates Dean Lotter City Manager Lotter reported last Thursday night staff attended the Minnesota Brownfields Rescaping award ceremony where the City received an award. He stated this was an exciting moment for the City and its staff. He indicated the community survey would be finalized by the Council in December and would be sent out to residents in early 2017. He noted two new staff members would be attending the December Council meeting. He explained the Assistant City Manager position was now closed and the 100 applications would be reviewed by staff. He hoped to have this position filled by the end of March 2017. Gina Bauman Councilmember Bauman wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Brian Strub Councilmember Strub reported the Public Safety Department was encouraging residents to watch what they heat over the holiday weekend. He discussed the recent election and read a statement in full for the record. He looked forward to the Council moving forward beyond the election and to begin addressing important issues on behalf of the community in 2017. Councilmember Bauman responded to Councilmember Strub and noted two separate votes were taken by the Council regarding odd/even election years, one regarding the election year, which passed on a 4-1 vote and the other based on term length, which passed on a 3-2 vote. She reported 17 points of law were deemed unlawful by the Council’s action which led her to take action against the City. She expressed frustration with the entire situation and requested Councilmember Strub cease further slandering her name. Councilmember Strub questioned why the petition was delivered at the ninth hour and explained how the delay had created such a tight timeline for the City that new ballots could not be printed. Councilmember Bauman explained the petition was submitted within the proper deadline. She reported this case was done and over. She indicated it was the Council that moved this case onto the Supreme Court. She encouraged Councilmember Strub and the entire City Council to move on. Councilmember Strub believed the judge’s ruling, if the petition would have been submitted earlier, would have been to order the City to reprint its ballots. He indicated this was the case for the City of Grand Rapids. Mayor Johnson stated this body, minus Councilmember Bauman, made the decision to move this case to the Supreme Court and a ruling was not made on the case. City Manager Lotter clarified that the City Council requested an accelerated hearing to clarify the District Court decision, which was deemed unfortunate by the majority of the City Council given the fact the judge had less than 24 hours to address all the facts and make a decision on the case. He stated the timing of the petition submission didn’t allow for much wiggle room and now New Brighton had a criteria that would have to be followed should the Council want to change from odd to even election years. He reported the Supreme Court did not uphold the ruling of the District Court, rather it ruled on if the case needed to be heard in 30 days or less. He encouraged the Council to focus on the pressing issues for the City and suggested term adjustments be discussed on common ground per State Statute 205. Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates