Jane McWilliams, LWV Observer
With the exception of Councilor Arnie Nelson, who was vacationing, 6 members of the previous city council were seated at their places as Former Mayor Lee Lansing greeted the standing room only audience. Lansing spoke briefly, outlining some of the achievements of the past year, and acknowledging that there had been some difficulties. He wished Mayor-elect Mary Rossing well, and passed on to her not only the gavel, but also one of the little smiley masks on a stick he said he had purchased at Present Perfect, Rossing’s Division Street store. City Clerk Deb Little administered the oath of office to the new mayor and councilors. Former councilor Noah Cashman led family and friends of the new officials in an energetic applause following each oath and the new council took their places of the retiring members at the dais.
After taking up the gavel, Rossing called attention to printed meeting procedures available to the public. The first order of business was the election of Councilor Kris Vohs to Mayor Pro Tem.
Most of the large crowd was on hand for two hearings, one on closure of First Street, the other on First Street Reconstruction. Before taking public comments, the council had a number of questions for staff about issues including the size of cul de sacs, the design of a parking lot/rain garden concept, how binding the master park plan is, expense of maintaining a closed street.
Information provided by staff in the packet noted that the council in December gave direction to move forward with the process necessary to close First Street. They provided a chart comparing the effect of closure and of keeping the street open based on principles of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, city code, safety of park users, emergency response time, operation, maintenance and estimated costs. Thirteen citizens addressed the council, calling attention to the need for safety, the obligation to abide by the design adopted by the council in April, which had been developed by the Park and Recreation Advisory Board, and the overwhelming approval of closure of the street by people recently surveyed in the neighborhood. Rossing announced that the council would vote on this matter at the January 26 meeting.
Prior to taking comments on the First Street Reconstruction, including Plum and Orchard Streets, the council again asked questions about the design options and issues raised by closing the street. Several citizens spoke about sidewalks, safety, maintenance, and design. Council members requested that open street options, closed street options, including the parking/rain garden design, be presented. Just prior to closure of the hearing, Victor Summa, as he had earlier in the evening, reminded the council that by approving the Park Board’s it had an obligation to respect the “social contract” they had made with the public and they ran the risk of alienating the public if they don’t respect it.
Councilor Jon Denison had requested that the second reading amending the Rental Housing ordinance be removed from the consent agenda, and placed on the regular one. At a previous meeting he had opposed the first reading, and now said the membership should be increased to 7, rather than reduced to recommended 5 (in order to avoid potential tie votes). His concern at this meeting was there were not sufficient stakeholders, specifically tenant’s represented. He later requested that the council take action separately on the mayor’s nominees for membership on the board (Andrew Berglund, landlord and David Geist, contractor) because they were not tenants. Councilors Denison and Zweifel voted against the appointments of those candidates.
Police Chief Mark Taylor talked with the council about scheduling in FEMA’s National Incident Management System Training. Training is required for the city to be eligible for FEMA funds, should they be needed. Interim City Administrator reported that letters are going to homeowners and businesses notifying them of the increase in storm water fees which have not been adjusted since 1992. He invited councilors to forward citizen calls on this matter to him or to the city engineer. Councilor Zweifel announced her first Ward Meeting, February 7 at a time and location to be announced. Walinski reminded the council of the Joint Government meeting on January 28 at the Greenvale Town Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50.
4 Comments
I find it incomprehensible that Councilor Denison did not recuse himself from voting on the appointment of Andrew Berglund to the Rental Board.
Mr Denison has been in conflict for some years with Mr. Berglund, stemming from the time when Mr. Denison was a tenant of Mr. Berglund.
This case was in mediation last summer, and I believe is now going to court. The relevant papers may have been those served to Mr. Denison , at City hall, just prior to the December 15th Council meeting. This serving of papers has not been reported in the newspaper, but people in attendance at the reception prior to the meeting were well aware of the situation.
However, that explanation is just background to facilitate understanding of my amazement at Mr. Denison’s action with regard to his voting on Berglund’s appointment.
Who is responsible for monitoring this kind of inappropriate ‘legislative’ action ?
I believe Mr. Denison spoke with the city attorney, who said there was no conflict of interest. The private financial problems of Mr. Denison are no more relevant than the former mayor’s many legal and financial problems were.
Mrs. Summa seems to be speaking as an individual in her assessment of inappropriate action, since those in authority clearly disagree.
Ms. Bretts: If you have spoken with Councilor Denison, and he said he had asked the City Attorney about this vote, then I would find his negative vote on Andrew Berglund’s re-appointment to the Rental (Code) Board of Appeals all the more questionable because of C. Denison’s court date on this matter this week.
You are correct, my statement is my opinion, but I base that opinion on the knowledge of the unresolved conflict and monies due between the two parties , and on the city code (Sect2-127-b) which says: …”tend to impair his/her independence of judgement or action in the performance of official duties, shall disclose the nature of such activity or interest, and shall disqualify himself/herself from discussion and voting, …”.
The private financial problems of a cpuncilor ARE relevant when he is voting on the appointment of a person with whom he is in an active legal conflict.
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[...] Monday’s Council meeting, even though he abstained on a similar vote last September. According to Jane McWilliams LWV Observer report: Councilor Jon Denison had requested that the second reading amending the Rental Housing ordinance [...]