Legalectric

Here’s the letter everyone’s talking about — the primary document — REAL NEWS.

Note their expressions… says a lot!

Hot off the press from City of Red Wing:

Hello,

Thank you to those of you who attended our board and commission training on Thursday, April 18^th.  For those of you who couldn’t make it that evening, the full recording of the training can be found here.  

Professor David Schultz was hired by the City to provide training on the role of the elected official/volunteer compared to the role of staff, the open meeting law, and conflict of interest.  His presentation included a question and answer period with attendees. Questions arose related to Open Meeting Law for Ad Hoc and other committee activities, and Mr. Schultz provided answers that differ from the City’s policy.  The City’s current policy, which is attached to this email, was created after much community discussion and research and was adopted by the City Council in 2010.  

Thank you,

Melissa Hill | Administrative Support Manager

Here’s the attached policy:

Here’s what all the fuss is about:

AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETINGS MUST BE NOTICED AND OPEN! It’s that simple.

The Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission project docket is slogging forward at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. Today, Direct testimony of intervenors was due, and there was a LOT of it.

To view the docket filings, go HERE and at “Case #” plug in docket “05-CE-146” and search.

Here are some of the more interesting filings:

Yes, “Wellinghoff” is THAT Wellinghoff, Jon Wellinghoff, former Chair of FERC. It’s amazing what one can do if there’s money to spend.

Check out the PSC testimony — the short of it is that the applicant’s haven’t proven up their case. I’ve not read Powers yet, but he’s probably saying the same thing.

We’re focused on the individual hardships if it were to go on this land:

Lots and lots of reading to do, there’s some great testimony in here.

Special County Board meeting TOMORROW, 9 a.m.

We now have an official vacancy for District 1 on the Goodhue County Board that will need to be filled via a special election. Scott Safe took over when Ron Allen took a leave of absence for treatment for leukemia. Ron Allen died recently, creating a statutory vacancy and now Scott Safe is no longer in that position.

Safe stepping in for Allen during cancer treatment

Obituary – Ronald C. Allen

TOMORROW at 9 a.m., the County Board will meet to determine whether to appoint someone in the interim (again) or leave it vacant until the special election.

Special elections are only allowed on specific dates, the first possible one in August (May 14 is apparently too close to schedule), August 13th, 2019.

If they want to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the special election, there are some rules… including:

Before making an appointment to fill a vacancy under subdivision 4, the county board must hold a public hearing not more than 30 days after the vacancy occurs with public notice given in the same manner as for a special meeting of the county board. At the public hearing the board must invite public testimony from persons residing in the district in which the vacancy occurs relating to the qualifications of prospective appointees to fill the vacancy. Minn. Stat. 375.01, Subd 5 (in part).

I don’t recall the circumstances, yes, I wasn’t paying attention, and I should have, this is my county district! I do recall being surprised someone was appointed, and having no say in that appointment. But there is a problem: The statute puts a 90 day limit on an appointment where Board member is unable to serve (Minn. Stat. 375.01, Subd. 3), and in this case, it began December 1, 2018, and would have ended March 1, 2019. That didn’t happen.

Goodhue, we have a problem.

Tomorrow’s morning should give us a clue as to what will happen.

I vote for the temporary appointment and to have the election in August. That and $0.50…

Hot off the press from the Harvard Bookstore. Get yours, just $18.95 + $7 shipping priority. (617) 661-1515.

Just what I need, more to add to the 3 Public Service Commission orders filed last Thursday… lots of reading!