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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - MAY 17, 2021 11 Councilmember McClung said he was just hearing about the bench issue tonight. He felt they can't have someone representing the City and saying the City would support a project. Councilmember Scott said they operate under a set of bylaws and serve at the pleasure of the Council, so if people are stepping outside of those boundaries the Council is justified in taking appropriate action. If the allegations are sound, he would support removing this person from the committee. Councilmember Holmes said she has a copy of the bench application everyone could see if they wanted to see there were two different handwritings on the form. She texted and exchanged voicemails with the individual and felt he was a bit glib. But she felt maybe they needed to let him give his side of the story. Councilmember Holden asked if here were other instances where the person had told staff what to do. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen replied that this individual has made multiple requests over the last few months. Interim Director Swearingen has been working with the City Administrator to know what is proper procedure, and the Mayor made an announcement regarding this at a PTRC meeting. But the actions they are discussing now came after that announcement. Mayor Grant asked if staff was asked to go into a park to pick up buckthorn. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen said that was the initial request, but the Public Works Superintendent spoke with them and explained they needed to haul it as close to the park entrance as possible. Mayor Grant said there are issues, but he didn't know if there were procedures for removing a member. He asked if they would like him to have a meeting with Council before they make their decision. Councilmember Holden suggested it be a meeting with the Mayor. Mayor Grant proposed that the individual meet with the Personnel Committee and instructed staff that they could have a special meeting. Councilmember Holden added that she'd like to see more benches on the Elmer Anderson Trail. F. Water Meters Discussion (Discussed after Item G) Mayor Grant asked that they only discuss the two specific water bills in question. He didn't know if the reads were correct or not; did the water really go through the meter? There are some issues with water meter readings right now. One of the customers makes a pretty good case that you can't get that much water through a meter in a townhome over the course of an hour. He thought staff should bill them an estimated amount based on previous usage.