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Arden Hills council fails to secure second to reconsider EDA appointments amid process concerns
Summary
Council debate centered on whether the mayor followed the same interview and appointment procedures used for other advisory bodies; a motion to reconsider the Jan. 12 Economic Development Authority appointments failed for lack of a valid second, leaving the six-year appointments in place.
Mayor David Grant and councilmembers sparred over appointment procedures on Feb. 9 as an effort to reopen Economic Development Authority appointments stalled for lack of a second.
The council considered whether to reconsider two appointments the mayor made to the EDA on Jan. 12. Councilmember Tena Monson moved to reconsider the appointments, and Councilmember Emily Rousseau indicated a second; the City Attorney advised Rousseau could not legally second because she was not present at the Jan. 12 meeting. Mayor Grant ruled there was no valid second and the motion failed for lack of a second.
The dispute focused on process rather than the qualifications of the appointees. Councilmember Kurt Weber said the mayor’s selection process “did not resemble what Councilmember Rousseau and myself had done in previous interviews,” arguing that more applications should have been accepted, consistent questions asked, and notes recorded. “The interview process should have been clear and identifiable and this did not occur,” he said.
Councilmember Emily Rousseau said she would prefer appointments be treated more like other advisory roles, with formal applications and interviews by the full council. Councilmember Brenda Holden defended the selections and noted her support for the appointees based on community connections.
Several councilmembers pointed to the stakes: EDA members sit on a body with statutory authority that can levy, and appointees serve six-year terms. Councilmember Monson said she felt uncomfortable that a less formal process had been used for positions with that level of authority.
City Attorney Kori Land clarified procedural options during the discussion, noting a motion to reconsider generally requires a member from the prevailing side of the original vote; she also explained distinctions between motions to reconsider and motions to rescind under Robert’s Rules.
With no successful motion to reconsider, the Jan. 12 appointments remain in place. Mayor Grant said the appointees were interviewed and selected in his capacity as mayor and noted the council can address appointments again as vacancies arise in the future.
The council did not take further action on the appointment process at the Feb. 9 meeting.
