03-13-23-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — FEBRUARY 13, 2023 17 Council did not follow this recommendation when making recommendations for City appointments. She hoped the City would not have any emergency situations for Mayor Pro Tern Rousseau to handle in the coming weeks or months. She reported the Mayor has never appointed people to positions, but rather the Mayor brought forward names for the Council to consider in the best interests of the City. Mayor Grant stated there has been talk about the City being in conformance with State Statute. He asked the City Attorney if the City was allowed to be more restrictive or less restrictive than State Statute. He indicated City Code does not have to match State Statute but rather it has to follow it. City Attorney Jamnik explained this was correct. Mayor Grant questioned if there was any ambiguity in the manner in which these articles of City Code were written. City Attorney Jamnik stated there was no ambiguity. Mayor Grant inquired if the City of Arden Hill's City Code had to match neighboring communities' city codes. City Attorney Jamnik reported there was no requirement for City Code to match neighboring communities' city code. Mayor Grant explained one would hope the Mayor could work with the Council to organize the City in such a fashion that he obtains the best out of everyone. He noted he met with all of the Councilmembers and asked what their preferences were. He stated this was how things were done in the past and he understood people did not like hearing this. He reiterated that appointments were always done cooperatively but this was being rebuffed. He encouraged the Council to take these motions separately. Councilmember Fabel asked if it was true Minnesota Statute 412.101 specifically authorizes City Councils to make appointments, committee members, employees and agents for the City. City Attorney Jamnik stated this was correct. Councilmember Fabel inquired if there was any provision in State law that allows the Mayor to make appointments separate from the City Council. City Attorney Jamnik advised with the exception of a tie, then the Mayor can make an appointment. Councilmember Fabel asked if the amended Ordinance would allow the Mayor to have the same legal authority as all of the other Councilmembers. City Attorney Jamnik stated that is correct. He also commented the motion on the table was for the Ordinance and did not include publication of the summary ordinance. Councilmember Holden inquired if the Mayor has ever taken away the City Council's right to vote for committee and commission appointments in the past.