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June 23, 2020 Page 1 of 6 <br />Pursuant to notice thereof, a regular meeting of the New Brighton City Council was held Tuesday, <br />June 23, 2020 at 6:30 pm in the New Brighton Council Chambers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic <br />this meeting was held virtually. <br />Present: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Allen, Dunsworth, Fynewever, and Jacobsen <br />Absent: <br />Also Present: Devin Massopust-City Manager, Sarah Sonsalla-City Attorney, Ben Gozola-Assistant <br />Director of Community Assets and Development, Tony Paetznick-Public Safety <br />Director, Terri Spangrud-City Clerk <br />Call to Order <br />Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. <br />Pledge of Allegiance <br />Councilmember Jacobsen led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. <br />Public Comment Forum <br />Mayor Johnson opened the Public Forum for comments from the public. <br />Mayor Johnson reported the Council received a comment from Hope Laizans at 1150 Cessna <br />Drive stating she had concerns with how the City will respond to the changes that need to <br />occur within the Public Safety Department to ensure all citizens are treated fairly. Ms. Laizans <br />hoped the public could agree that policing in America has had a spotlight shone on it and <br />demands systemic change. Ms. Laizans wanted to be assured that the Public Safety <br />Department was not stockpiling military equipment to terrorize people of color. Ms. Laizans <br />described an event that occurred between the New Brighton Public Safety Department and <br />Ramsey County SWAT where her family had their door broken in by a battering ram and their <br />home was invaded as officers searched for illegal activity. Ms. Laizans stated no illegal <br />activity was found and an apology was offered. Apparently, the police were looking for <br />another individual. Ms. Laizans wanted to be assured that City dollars were being spent on <br />high quality training for its officers and she wanted the warrior mentality to end. Ms. Laizans <br />believed that when complaints were made against an officer, she wanted real accountability <br />and meaningful consequences to be put in place. Ms. Laizans encouraged the City Council to <br />reconsider the future use of police officers at the Mounds View Public Schools. Ms. Laizans <br />feared that students would not feel safe but rather would make minority students feel like they <br />are in a hostile environment. Ms. Laizans believed that the technology that was in place was <br />enough to keep students safe and officers could remain outside the building. Ms. Laizans did <br />not believe it was necessary for schools to pay to have armed hall monitors in place. Ms. <br />Laizans explained she had emailed the school district regarding her concerns. Ms. Laizans <br />requested the Council take her comments seriously because Black Lives Matter to her and she <br />hoped Black Lives Mattered to the City Council as well. <br />Call to Order <br />Pledge of Allegiance <br />Public Comment <br />Forum <br />COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS <br />THE CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON