03-21-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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