Legalectric

Yup, last night’s Red Wing Charter Commission’s meeting was “a happening.” That’s a video that everyone in RW City gov’t should watch, and it’d also be good for everyone who has a smidgin of interest in how government works and doesn’t work! This was a classic example of why we need observers at government meetings.

HERE’S THE VIDEO: Items 8.J. and 8.K. begin at ~1:01:40

No video earlier? True, but wait, there’s hope! “Yes, last night’s entire meeting was videotaped, but there was an initial mix-up with the way the audio and video matched up. Tomorrow morning, our AV Techs will be back at work and they will be re-uploading the video in the morning. They will not be in the office today due to the Juneteenth federal holiday. You should be able to view the video by early Friday afternoon.” And now it’s there to watch and listen.

Two agenda items with N-O-T-H-I-N-G in the packet, and no background info or proposal despite that I’d made three requests in writing:

At the meeting, no background info, no handout, not even a powerpoint!?!?! Only a meandering, circular “presentation” that made no sense.

The point of both of these efforts was to take power away from the City Council and transfer to the Council Administrator, but it took a lot to get that clarified. There was NO disclosure of the changes of role of Mayor, who typically presides over the meeting, and who has a vote on the Council (but NO veto power). Also, he did slip and disclose that most cities that use a Council/Manager system are statutory cities.

Short version, mindful that we are a Charter City with a weak Mayor system::

• 8.J. Take power to hire and fire away from City Council and transfer to Council Administration.

• 8.K. Change definition of City government to Council/Manager. In the examples I could find, in that style, the Mayor loses veto power, and gains power — presides over the Council and VOTES.

How stupid do you think we are? Well, we sure found out.

• 8.J. was set up to get more information for “discussion.”

• 8.K. was set aside on Motion by Tom Drazkowski, 2nd by Carol Overland and also to get background info — with this team, ahem… if Tom Drazkowski and I are agreeing on something, you’d better pay attention!

If either of these are on the agenda again, we need a solid proposal, background info, A CITY ATTORNEY OPINION, and preferably City Attorney at meeting.