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City Council Regular Meeting - 11/22/04 Minutes - Page 2 Public Comment about City Issues Public Comment Mayor Klausing called for public comment by members of the audience on any non-agenda items. A. Steve Burwell, 2482 N Albert Street Mr. Burwell questioned how the term "staff' was defined by the City Council and Planning Commission as it related to City employees. Mr. Burwell opined that there appeared to be a problem of accountability, and cited an example of a recent meeting attended by Community Development Director Dennis Welsch held at the old State Farm office building, and sponsored by the S1. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, at which Mr. Welsch went on record in support of the Rottlund proposal for the redevelopment of Twin Lakes. Mr. Burwell posed several questions to the City Council: 1) Who is staff and what is their role; and 2) Do they live in the community. Mr. Burwell opined that it was easy to make recommendations as a spokesperson if you were not a resident of the City. Mr. Burwell further opined that it was completely inappropriate for employees of the City of Roseville to speak at a public forum, inferring the official stance of the City when the City Council has not even made a decision. Mr. Burwell suggested that in the future, a statement should be made by the City Council clarifying staff s responsibilities and limitations in speaking on behalf of the City or the City Council. Mayor Klausing clarified that staff s role was in an advisory capacity, to make recommendations to the City Council, but confirmed that the ultimate decision rested with the City Council. Mayor Klausing requested that City Manager Beets address the management policy used and applied for employees speaking in a public forum. City Manager Beets reviewed the credentials of the City's Planning staff noting their history of receiving and reviewing numerous land use applications in various forms, and their assertion of a position or recommendation to the