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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 9, 2026 4 <br /> Councilmember Weber reiterated that he would like to call for a point of order. <br /> Mayor Grant explained that the Public Inquiries/Informational language states the City Council <br /> will generally not respond at the same meeting,but the language does not state the Council cannot <br /> respond at the same meeting. <br /> Councilmember Weber objected to the Mayor making a statement on behalf of the City Council <br /> and recommended a response only be made if carefully worded. <br /> Mayor Grant indicated he would give the public a carefully considered answer on behalf of <br /> himself. <br /> Councilmember Weber stated this speaks to the comment he made at the last City Council <br /> meeting. He explained the response that is given in response to public inquiries should be shared <br /> with the City Council for agreement. <br /> Councilmember Holden indicated it appears the Council does not want the Mayor to respond to <br /> the questions that were raised directly to the Mayor. She reported all committee and commission <br /> appointments are always placed on the Consent Agenda for approval, and the EDA appointments <br /> were no different. She suggested the Council move on with the agenda at this time. <br /> MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Weber seconded a <br /> motion to add an item to the agenda to discuss and allow for the Council to <br /> individually respond to Public Inquires.A roll call vote was taken. The motion <br /> carried (5-0). <br /> DISCUSSION ITEM FOR THE COUNCIL TO INDIVIDUALLY RESPOND TO <br /> PUBLIC INOUIRIES <br /> Councilmember Holden reported there were statements that were made about the appointments <br /> that were made in 2023 for all of the committees, and she said policies were made. She explained <br /> she checked with the City Clerk and the City does not have any written or formalized policies or <br /> administrative procedures in place for committee appointments. She stated the liaison has always <br /> done the best job they can to make recommendations. She understood very qualified people in the <br /> past have applied for a committee that they were on prior and have been turned down, even though <br /> they have served in the past. She questioned where the transparency was with that process at the <br /> time. <br /> Councilmember Holden also noted that all committee and commission assignments are placed on <br /> the Consent Agenda for approval but can always be pulled for discussion. She indicated the Mayor <br /> did nothing sneaky or untoward by placing the EDA appointments on the Consent Agenda. She <br /> stated Councilmember Rousseau had recommended appointment of every member currently on the <br /> EDC and if these people were not worthy of serving on that Commission, they would never have <br /> been appointed. She reiterated that the pool of candidates for the EDA was recommended by <br /> Councilmember Rousseau, who serves as the liaison to the EDC. She discussed how she was <br /> unaware of which candidates were considered for other committee appointments and did not <br /> understand why there was a conflict regarding the EDA appointments. She spoke to how the public <br /> addressed the importance of the EDA but noted the Planning Commissioners were just as important <br /> as were the PTRC members. She stated she believed the appointment of the two business owners <br />