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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 13, 2024 3 <br /> on those issues and tasks, not finding faults. He stated it will take more than a majority of the City <br /> Council to make this project happen, rather it will take all five members of the Arden Hills City <br /> Council. <br /> Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, explained he has missed some recent Council <br /> meetings and worksessions, but was able to watch the videos last week. Like the previous <br /> speaker, he was dismayed by what he saw during these meetings. He reported that at the April 15 <br /> worksession, Councilmember Holden directed sarcastic and critical comments at the City <br /> Administrator and the Public Works Director. He noted these comments were demeaning and <br /> should have been addressed outside of the Council Chambers or in a closed meeting. He stated <br /> City Council meetings were not an appropriate venue for those types of comments. He reported at <br /> the April 22 City Council meeting, Councilmember Holden incorrectly accused City staff of <br /> preparing written comments on housing legislation. He explained had Councilmember Holden <br /> spoken to staff prior to the meeting, she would have learned no written position was <br /> communicated to legislators by staff. However, he feared Councilmember Holden preferred <br /> misleading public attacks to productive consultation. He noted these were recent examples of a <br /> long history of Councilmember Holden's interactions with others, including current and previous <br /> City Councilmembers, staff members, Ramsey County Commissioners and staff, NYFS members <br /> and staff and City contractors. He indicated he has been following City government for a long <br /> time and he has seen this happen over and over again. He was of the opinion the Mayor was <br /> incapable of presiding over a meeting that discourages such behavior. He explained Arden Hills <br /> was a statutory weak mayor/council city. He reported the Mayor has few duties, except presiding <br /> over City meetings. This meant the Mayor was to preserve order and decorum. He expressed <br /> frustration with the fact the Mayor had not ruled comments made by Councilmember Holden out <br /> of order. He stated the worst failure occurred at a January City Council meeting when Zoom <br /> commenters used extremely offensive language during the Public Inquiries portion of the <br /> meeting. <br /> Mayor Grant stated Mr. Larson has gone beyond disrespectful. <br /> Mr. Larson explained he was speaking directly to the Mayor's performance. He indicated he was <br /> reading directly from City Code. <br /> Councilmember Holden reported when people called with racist comments, it didn't happen <br /> how Mr. Larson was implying. <br /> Mr. Larson stated the Mayor failed to cut them off. <br /> Mayor Grant reported he did cut them off. <br /> Mr. Larson was of the opinion the Mayor waited too long to cut the speakers off. He explained <br /> he previously referred the Mayor to the League of Minnesota Cities Mayor's Handbook which <br /> includes useful information on meeting management, traits of successful mayors, inspirational <br /> leadership, successful team building and good relationships with Council and staff. He wants to <br /> see Mayor Grant succeed, but he has not seen any sign that the Mayor has taken the handbook's <br /> advice to heart. He encouraged the Mayor to take advantage of this resource. <br /> 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br />