Resolution Number 14-22

RESOLUTION NUMBER 14-22_

CENSURING COUNCILMEMBER EDWARD ROSKOSKI

            WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Mt. Iron (“City Council”) has adopted a Code of Conduct and adopted a resolution confirming a commitment to service and civility to clarify the conduct expectations of Council members and the Mayor; and

WHEREAS, the Code of Conduct describes the manner in which the Mayor and Council members should treat one another, city staff, consultants, constituents, and others with whom they have contact while representing the City of Mt. Iron; and

WHEREAS, the Code of Conduct reflects the work of the Mayor and City Council in defining more clearly the behavior, manners, and courtesies that are suitable for various occasions; and

WHEREAS, the constant and consistent theme through all of the Code of Conduct guidelines is “respect;” and

WHEREAS, the Code of Conduct notes that despite the pressures of making decisions that impact the lives of citizens, elected officials are called upon to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times; and

WHEREAS, the Code of Conduct specifically states that all Council members are:

• To comply with both the letter and the spirit of the laws and policies affecting operations of the city.
• To recognize their obligation to implement the adopted goals and objectives of the City in good faith, regardless of my personal views.
• To conduct themselves in both their official and personal actions in a manner that is above reproach and in the discussion of City business to refrain from personal attacks upon or disparagement of any other member of the discussion and at all times to respect the authority of the Mayor to maintain order within the City’s meetings.
• To be independent, impartial, and fair in their judgment and actions.
• To be accountable for their actions and behaviors and accept responsibility for their decisions.
• To oppose all forms of harassment and unlawful discrimination.
• To be respectful of citizens, city staff, officials, volunteers, and others who participate in or come into contact with the city’s government and to never disparage another’s lifestyle, religion, culture or history.

WHEREAS, the City Council and members of the public observing Council meeting have observed that Council member Edward Roskoski violates the Code of Conduct by failing to observe and respect the authority of the Mayor in the control of the meeting in that he fails to move discussion forward or refrain from interruption and delay within the meetings, has made personal attacks in discussion, to wit, indicating that the Mayor may “be a queen, but she is no king” and indicating that the City Engineer had “no street smarts” and “does not know anything” ; and

WHEREAS, said complaints are documented recordings of the proceedings of recent City Council meetings; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all evidence presented to it with respect to the aforementioned complaints, all of which is hereby incorporated into this Resolution.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Mt. Iron hereby resolves as follows:

1. That during his tenure as a member of the Mt. Iron City Council, Council member Roskoski violated the Code of Conduct through his actions at City Council meetings as outlined and described above.
2. That pursuant to its authority under the rules of procedure, Council member Edward Roskoski is censured and it is specifically noted that conduct such as alleged above is not in line with the expectation or tradition of the City of Mountain Iron.
3. That council member Roskoski is directed to henceforth abide by the Code of Conduct. Without limitation, Council member Roskoski is specifically directed to observe and respect the authority of the Mayor, to refrain from personal attacks and to treat members of the Council, staff, and those working for and with the City of Mountain Iron with respect and free from harassment and intimidation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 7^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2022.

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Mayor Peggy Anderson

ATTEST:

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City Administrator