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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> March 13,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> denounced this video.He is standing behind it wholeheartedly.And I can only venture a guess where he's <br /> at on it.Because we have yet to find out more about this cat. I want to know where you two stand now. <br /> You guys have been left out of it. This City needs to make a statement and make a stand. Take a stand. <br /> You be leaders instead of followers. Who is this guy?He's from St. Louis Park. He knows better.He <br /> knows better. He knew better anyway.And everybody knows what we're dealing with. <br /> Walsh said his three minutes are up. Thank you. <br /> Mr. Erickson said fuck you,prick. What do you got?Nothing else. I'll be watching this to the Mayor/ <br /> Council Report. <br /> MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT <br /> Benson said she has three items for tonight.But before I go into those,I just want to clarify just because it <br /> was talked about just a moment ago,that I did speak to the reporter for the Star Tribune.And I just want <br /> to clarify any quotation you see in that article that has quotes around it is from me.The headline was not. <br /> So those words in the headline were chosen by the gentleman who wrote the article. Those weren't my <br /> words. One person in the public asked me about that,so I wanted to clarify.Moving forward,last week, I <br /> did attend the League of Minnesota Cities Day on the Hill, and it is a fantastic opportunity to meet. We <br /> heard from the lieutenant governor as well as other officials.And the League of Cities is an incredible <br /> resource that does offer ongoing opportunities for education,to learn, educate, socialize and influence,as <br /> one of their speakers put it and I find that these gatherings are a place where information can be <br /> exchanged,where you can meet other folks in the community who are serving their respective cities.And <br /> it's just an all-around stand-up organization. So thanks to them.And on that note,second item here on the <br /> note of working with other elected officials and other municipalities.I do want to address several issues <br /> regarding the Northwest Hennepin League.And this is the organization that's comprised of elected <br /> leaders around the West Metro,and I was personally invited by members of this group to attend meetings. <br /> Mayor Walsh has made comments about me two times in public meetings most recently at the last <br /> Council meeting,and his comments about me were added to our City's permanent record tonight.The <br /> mayor stated that during a Northwest Hennepin League meeting that I suggested to a Hennepin County <br /> Commissioner that a youth sports grant the City of Orono applied for last year not be approved. The <br /> mayor added that this alleged action undermined our staff at Orono and the work they do. I want <br /> everybody in this room to understand how seriously I take my oath of office. I take my professional <br /> reputation and my adherence to ethical practice very seriously.And when these areas are called into <br /> question,I will address it on record. First,I'm a firm believer in following process and procedure and <br /> have made that clear from the beginning of my term.I did not and would not ever attempt to interfere <br /> with a grant application process. It's unethical and it goes against everything I stand for. Second,the <br /> commissioner in attendance at the meeting represents a district that does not include the City of Orono. <br /> Finally,I would ask the Mayor contact the Hennepin County Commissioner who was present that night to <br /> clear up any lingering questions related to this matter so that this issue is not brought up in public <br /> meetings again in the future.Regarding the Mayor's statement that I undermine staff,from the beginning <br /> of my term I've explained that I intend to and staff has heard me say this,stay in my lane as a Council <br /> Member,that I respect staffs expertise,and I will draw upon that knowledge to make informed decisions. <br /> I have great respect for the staff and I do my best to demonstrate it. Since joining the Council,I've worked <br /> Page 17 of 21 <br />