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Resident alleges lawsuit-linked payment threatened over Royalton Township ordinance
Summary
Denise Weiss of Royalton Township told the Pine County board that supervisors faced threats of lawsuits and a proposal that residents would provide 1% of net revenue (about $100,000), calling that proposal "a bribe" and asking what recourse citizens have.
At the start of public forum, Denise Weiss of Royalton Township said township supervisors faced pressure tied to a proposed ordinance and asked the county what avenues residents have when litigation or coercion affects local votes. "To me, that's a bribe," Weiss said, describing an assertion that residents would give "a 1% of their net revenue...which would have been about a $100,000." She asked the board where citizens should turn when they believe decisions were influenced by intimidation or potential lawsuits.
Chair recognized Weiss and thanked her for bringing the situation to the board's attention. Weiss also said that Pine County had followed Minnesota Association of Counties guidance and zoning recommendations in earlier drafts but expressed concern that protections for some license types were removed between drafts. The board did not take formal action during the forum; commissioners acknowledged the comment and noted the matter may return through committee or as part of future docketed hearings.
Weiss's remarks were delivered during the public forum and were not followed by a formal response from county counsel in the meeting record. The board's procedural record shows no immediate vote or directive recorded in response to the allegation; any follow-up would take place through the regular agenda, staff research, or legal review.
