Former council member to repay $5,100; Grafton to review votes cast while ineligible

City Attorney Rob Fleming told the Grafton City Council on May 11 that former Council Member Brian Sieben has agreed to repay $5,100 in salary covering December 2024 through April 2026 after a resident raised concerns about his residency and eligibility.

The issue emerged during public comment when resident Karen Mell said she believed Sieben had continued serving on the council after no longer being a Grafton resident, asked that he apologize and repay compensation, and urged that votes cast during that period be reviewed. Jeff Daley of KLJ Engineering told the council he would inspect a street concern Mell raised as part of her remarks.

Fleming said under Robert’s Rules of Order an action taken by an ineligible person only invalidates an outcome if the ineligible vote could have changed the result. Because of that rule, city staff will research council motions and votes from November 2024 through April 2026 to identify any tied votes or items where Sieben made a motion or second. Fleming said he anticipates convening a special meeting to address any items that must be rescinded or reconsidered if staff finds procedural problems.

No formal motion to rescind or rehear specific past actions was made at the May 11 meeting; Fleming’s report and the announced repayment were the principal developments. The city did not announce a date for the special meeting; staff will notify the council and the public once the review is complete and any items requiring action are identified.