City Attorney says that you can’t talk about the geese tonight. Of course, full counsel/legal advice would have reminded them that they can suspend the rules, like they do for every council meeting and they could hear from people tonight. They just don’t want to.
From: May, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:52 AM
To: Cieslewicz, Dave; Briski, Kevin; ALL ALDERS
Cc: Studesville, Larry; Viste, Doran
Subject: Council Agenda Item 2; Geese and Warner ParkMayor Dave:
You asked about public comment on this petition related to the proposed geese kill at Warner Park. Sec. 2.29(4), MGO, states:
No citizen shall be permitted to speak on petitions and communications when first introduced before the Common Council and which are scheduled to be referred and reported back at a later meeting.
Since this petition is to be referred to the Parks Commission and reported back at a later date, there should be no public testimony tonight.
It might be a good idea if the Mayor’s Office, Alders or representatives of the Parks Division could contact those who led the petition drive, to avoid people showing up and not being able to speak. They will be allowed to speak when the Parks Commission reports on the petition.
Michael P. May
Once again, the answer they want to hear, not full legal advice.
