HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/04/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 4, 2022
The meeting convened at 5:15 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Larry
Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, Margaret Rog (arrived 5:30 p.m.)
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jake Spano
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Interim Information
Resources Director (Ms. Smith)
1. Legal compliance refresher
Mr. Mattick noted items to be covered are open meeting law, data practices act, conflict of
interest and gift law.
Mayor Pro Tem Brausen asked about after meeting social gatherings and discussions about
business taken at meetings, or actions taken by council years earlier. Mr. Mattick stated this is
all considered city business and discussions are not allowed after the meetings in social
gatherings, even after actions were taken years prior. He cautioned against this practice by
councilmembers.
Councilmember Budd asked about the scope of the open meeting law. Mr. Mattick stated the
open meeting laws cover any municipality but do not cover state jurisdiction. He noted open
meetings laws apply to video or conference call meetings as well. He stated violations of the
open meeting law may involve fines.
Mayor Pro Tem Brausen asked about emails from constituents. Mr. Mattick stated if the email
is a communication from a constituent to a councilmember, or vice versa, it can be disclosed by
either party. If the email is forwarded to city staff or another councilmember, then it becomes
public.
Councilmember Kraft asked about text messaging between councilmembers. Mr. Mattick
stated his concern is if two councilmembers have a text conversation and then have another
conversation with another councilmember and share the text .
Councilmember Mohamed noted she has a city phone and a personal phone and keeps them
separate. She asked what if she used her personal phone to te xt another councilmember. Mr.
Mattick stated if it is not related to city business, then it is not a problem. If it is related to city
business on her personal phone, it is subject to the data practices act.
Councilmember Mohamed asked about video meetings that are closed and how to handle that.
Mr. Mattick stated if a meeting is closed for a reason allowed under state law, it needs to be
done in private and should not be video recorded.
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Study session minutes -2- Apr. 4, 2022
Mr. Mattick discussed social media activity and stated general comments from councilmembers
are fine for social media. He cautioned councilmembers, however, not to say anything about
support or lack of support for projects on social media, and not prejudging projects on social
media or via email.
Mr. Mattick noted data practice laws say that all materials related to city business are public
and members of the public are allowed to see anything and everything that is public data.
Mr. Mattick discussed conflicts of interest and stated the conflict shou ld be declared by
councilmembers as soon as possible or as soon as it is known that a conflict exists . He stated
the charter prohibits councilmembers from contracting with the city.
Councilmember Rog asked about boards and commissions and noted the ESC has many
commission members involved in sustainability in their everyday jobs. Mr. Mattick stated if a
commission member worked for a solar company, and then wanted to sell solar to the city, that
would be a conflict. It would also be a conflict if commissioners recommended products from
their company to council.
Mr. Mattick noted the gift policy and stated the charter is very strict on the gift s. He stated if a
constituent wanted to take a councilmember out for a cup of coffee, he would prefer the
councilmember pay for their own coffee.
Councilmember Mohamed asked about accepting refreshments as a member of an elected
group of women, outside of the council. Mr. Mattick stated there is not an issue with this.
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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