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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 8, 2024 27 Planning Commission, his contribution to the commission and the city, and his next volunteer opportunity. Mayor Grant requested Councilmember Holden provide staff with a copy of this letter. Councilmember Holden noted that the letter was available from the City Administrator. Councilmember Rousseau thanked Paul Vijums for his service. She noted there were a couple of challenging meetings and the last one ended up being a request from some of the Commissioners that a new facilitator should come in. She indicated Vice Chair Wicklund would have done a great job, but he serves as the JDA Chair and noted Commissioner Weber would be willing to help going forward. Councilmember Monson thanked Paul Vijums for his service. She stated she was disappointed in his resignation noting he was requested to step aside as Chair to allow for somebody else, but she understood he had other opportunities. Councilmember Holden indicated Paul Vijums has been the Chair for several years and with one complaint he was now replaced. She explained the entire Planning Commission recommended he serve as the Chair for three more years in November and now he has resigned. She believed Mr. Vijums has always been very attentive to the Planning Cases. She noted the trouble did not arise until after the TCAAP vote. She indicated his vote to not move forward with TCAAP at this time without addressing the significant questions was the source of his dismissal. She stated this action was pointing to the fact that leaders had to toe the line or pay the price. She explained this message has also been sent to staff. She thanked Paul Vijums for his years of dedicated service to the City and apologized for the fact he had to lose his position on the Planning Commission because he asked hard questions and offered challenging ideas when it came to doing what was best for the City. She stated the emotional abuse from leadership was really sad to see. She commented on how Commissioners were addressed in the past when they were found to be dishonest. She believed that the manner in which this was handled was wrong and was a loss that should have never happened. She reported the members of the Planning Commission represented the City and not the Council liaison. Mayor Grant thanked Paul Vijums was Vijums for his contributions to the City. He believed Mr. Vij J Y J an outstanding Chair of the Planning Commission. He noted this was an important position and if this matter would have been handled properly it would not have led to his resignation. He stated the City lost a really good Planning Commissioner. He indicated it was apparent that Mr. Vijums took this very personally and this was difficult to see, especially when someone has contributed so much to the community. - Councilmember Fabel commented he has not met Mr. Vijums and he has no doubt that he has contributed significantly to the community over the years. However, he was approached by several people who advised him that they witnessed that Mr. Vijums was not simply opposed to moving forward with the TCAAP item, but rather he tried to prevent the Planning Commission from having a vote. He stated people felt this was exercising a degree of authority that was inappropriate as the Chair. He stated it was his understanding Mr. Vijums was not asked to step down from the Planning Commission altogether, but rather to step down from serving as the Chair. He reported it was Mr. Vijums decision to step down from the Planning Commission after being approached on how he handled this matter.