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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 9, 2023 35 Councilmember Monson asked if the work session could be moved to January 18 to allow Item 10H to be discussed prior to February. Mayor Grant explained staff planned to attend a meeting on Tuesday, January 17 and not on January 18. He reiterated that the City Code amendment that was being considered would not go into effect until January of 2024, so there was plenty of time. For this reason, he suggested the Council considering this item at the first meeting in February. Councilmember Fabel suggested the Council move onto Item 10H. H. City Code Revision – Chapter 2, Subsections 220.01 and 220.03 City Administrator Perrault stated this item was brought forward by Councilmember Fabel. Councilmember Fabel explained the proposed ordinance amendment regarding appointments to the City’s Committees and Commissions has been drafted. Should this change go into effect it would be the City Councils’ responsibility to both appoint and approve Committee and Commission members and their respective chairs. He reviewed the State Statutes and City Code Subsections that supported his recommendation. Generally, the City will need to post this amendment draft on its website at least ten days prior to final approval. Tonight’s action will be to move forward with the process outlined to ensure City Code was consistent with State Statute. Mayor Grant asked if the bylaws state the appointments are made by Mayoral appointments that are ratified by the City Council. He questioned if this procedure violated State Statute. City Attorney Jamnik reported this does not violate State Statute and was within City Code. He advised the State Statute does not provide for mayoral appointments, but City Code does, subject to Council review was perfectly acceptable. Mayor Grant questioned if the City Code that was in place today was acceptable. City Attorney Jamnik stated this was the case, noting there was no conflict. Mayor Grant indicated City Code could go forward as it was. However, the new City Councilmembers would like to remove any reference to the Mayor. Councilmember Fabel stated the reason for this action was because this Mayor has acted in such a manner as to be perceived that was inconsistent with the wishes of the voters of Arden Hills. He believed this Mayor was working to undo the results of the election by the appointments that were being proposed to the JDA. Because of that, his hand has been forced to establish a City Code which was consistent with State law. Mayor Grant questioned if Councilmember Fabel believed he was hoodwinking anyone. Councilmember Fabel reported he was talking about the law here.