06-09-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2003 1. Council Member Interference with the Duties and Supervisory Capacity of the City Administrator — Continued Nygard then stood and took the nameplate from his seat on council, refusing to further communicate with Council. Mayor Peterson stated that the nameplate was City property. He responded by suggesting they prosecute him as he exited council chambers. Mayor Peterson apologized for Nygard's behavior and read the staff memos from Ron Moorse, Denise Leskinen, and Lin Vee concerning the incident into record. Note: The staff memos are attached to the minutes after the signature page. Mayor Peterson asked Attorney Barrett if Council should take action on the matter without Nygard present. He stated that Council had heard his statement, although out of order, and it was therefore appropriate to act on the matter. Sansevere stated that he was disappointed by Nygard's statement that politics are politics in Orono. The matter at hand did not concern politics, but his failure to take accountability for his actions. He was also disappointed in his decision to resign. Murphy stated he was also disappointed. He stated he could not imagine the Council putting their personal interests over the City's. He stated that the recent work session was about Big Island, and that Gabriel Jabbour was in attendance to address that matter. Nygard had left • the meeting early, but had he stayed, he would have known that Moorse was going to be in an important meeting the following day and unavailable. Murphy stated that staff work hard and Council has a good relationship with them. He did not want for the incident to affect the staff - Council relationship. Sansevere stated that Council had meant to deal with the matter at a work session, but Nygard had failed to attend the meeting based on the agenda presented. As a result, they were forced to address the matter at the Council meeting. White stated that he took exception to Nygard's statement that politics are politics in Orono. He stated that Nygard took interest in very few items from the beginning of his term and had failed to attend several work sessions. White stated that none of the Council Members were politicians per se, but people who were trying to do their best for their community. Mayor Peterson stated that she concurred with Council, and also disagreed with Nygard's statement regarding politics as usual. She stated she was surprised Nygard had resigned. She was disappointed it took so long to resolve the matter and that they were forced to do it at a regular Council meeting rather than in a work session. Sansevere stated that the situation came to the Council meeting because Nygard had refused to deal with a City matter in the appropriate manner. • 2