Council meeting erupts in heated personal attacks

During a recent Brooklyn Park City Council meeting, discussions ranged from environmental concerns to personal conflicts among council members, highlighting both collaborative efforts and tensions within the council.

The meeting commenced with a motion by Council Member Kloanowski to authorize a letter commenting on the Metro Blue Line extension's supplemental draft environmental impact statement. The motion received unanimous support, indicating a collective commitment to addressing transportation infrastructure in the area.

However, the atmosphere shifted as Council Member Morrison expressed gratitude towards local fire officials for their support of Council Member Tran, who had recently faced health issues. Morrison's remarks took a contentious turn as he raised concerns about negative online commentary regarding Tran's character, calling for immediate attention to the matter. He further suggested holding a meeting to discuss the potential resignation of the city manager and city attorney, citing \"conduct unbecoming\" and failure to fulfill their duties.

This prompted a response from Council Member McGarvey, who reminded Morrison of his previous censure for similar comments, emphasizing the inappropriateness of publicly attacking staff members who cannot defend themselves. The exchange escalated, leading to a call for a five-minute recess to allow tensions to cool.

The meeting underscored the challenges the council faces in balancing community engagement and internal conflicts, with members urged to focus on city business rather than personal disputes. As the council reconvenes, the focus will likely shift back to pressing city matters, including the upcoming performance review for the city manager.