In Tuesday’s Jan.17 article on the Brainerd City Council’s issues with the Airport Commission the Brainerd Dispatch inaccurately reported on the letter President Koep read authored by myself.
In my letter I ask the council to investigate Alderman Goedker in regards to his representation of the city on the Airport Commission and of violations of open meeting and conflict of interest statutes and city policy and that they suspend Alderman Goedker pending the outcome of said investigation. Then, should it be determined Alderman Goedker violated state law and City policy; the council take the next action for removal of Alderman Goedker from office. I did not just call for his removal.
City Attorney Fitzpatrick stated the council cannot remove an elected official ‘when they feel like it’, again, I asked for an investigation. Excerpt from chapter 2, section 10 of the charter for the city of Brainerd:
“But any officer elected by the people or appointed by the Mayor shall not be removed except for cause, nor unless first furnished with a copy of the charges, nor until such person shall have reasonable opportunity to be heard in person, or by counsel in his or her defense.
The Council shall fix the time and place for the hearing of such officer, of which not less than ten days’ notice shall be given to such officer and to the Aldermen, and shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, and to hear and determine the case: and if such officer shall refuse or neglect to appear and answer such charges, the City Council may declare such office vacant.”
My request is in compliance with the city charter for the cause listed . . “neglect of duty of any officer.”
Steven Wolff
Brainerd
