Special Meeting Minutes – February 25, 2022
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A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Herrick at 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Big Bear Lake Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Mayor Pro Tem Mote
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Rick Herrick
Mayor Pro Tem Bynette Mote
Councilmember Perri Melnick
Councilmember Randall Putz
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Alan Lee
Others Present: Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Sarah Simoneau, Big Bear resident, indicated that she thought the upcoming discussion is due to Councilmember Lee’s actions and behavior; questioned Councilmember Lee’s residency and asked if/how he can be removed from office.
Reggie Lamson, DWP General Manager, corrected a myriad of DWP related references made by Councilmember Lee in his newsletter, the Big Bear Post.
Brad Heaton, Big Bear Lake resident, questioned Councilmember Lee’s residency in response to a video he saw online.
Patty Hafen, Big Bear Lake resident, discussed Councilmember Lee’s disrespectful behavior and recalled a negative interaction with him in 2021.
1. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM
1.1 CITY COUNCIL GROUP DYNAMIC, CONDUCT, AND RULES OF ORDER City Council will engage in discussion about the current City Council group dynamic and individual Council member conduct, and will consider the need for and substance of any desired amendments to the City Council Rules of Order. The current Rules of Order were last amended on November 1, 2021, and Council may direct or adopt desired amendments at the February 25 Special Meeting. Council may also direct or take any additional actions intended to alter and/or improve the City Council group dynamic and individual Council member conduct at the February 25 Special Meeting.
Special Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2022
Stephen Deitsch, City Attorney, addressed the reason the Special Meeting was called and opened-up Council discussion and deliberation in respect to the current City Council group dynamic, conduct and the possibility of amending the Council Rules of Order.
Council engaged in a discussion regarding Councilmember Lee’s perceived behavior, the impact of said behavior on the City’s organization and the potential response that Council can take in an effort to cease said negative behavior. In addition, Council discussed the possible implementation of a more thorough and in-depth Council Rules of Order and Policy Manual.
Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Putz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mote, to bring back a Resolution of Reprimand for Councilmember Lee at the next City Council meeting.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Mote, Melnick, Putz, Herrick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Lee
Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Putz to start with the Council’s existing Rules of Order, then incorporate the City of Victorville City Council Policy and Procedures Manual, and bring back for Council review and consideration at a future Council meeting.
A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Melnick, seconded by Putz, to adopt the City of Victorville’s Policy and Procedures Manual, and then fold in the City of Big Bear Lake’s Rules of Order provisions, and bring back for Council review and consideration at the March 7 Council meeting.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Melnick, Putz, Mote, Herrick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Lee
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mote, seconded by Councilmember Melnick, to immediately put into effect the following provisions: any requests of staff that will take longer than twenty minutes of work time needs to come to the body for majority approval and all communications are to be directed to the City Manager, City Clerk or City Attorney only from Councilmembers unless initiated by a City employee or approved by the City Manager, City Clerk or City Attorney.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Melnick, Putz, Mote, Herrick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Lee
Mayor Herrick invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this item. The following individuals approached Council:
Special Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2022
Reggie Lamson, DWP General Manager, asked if the rule of limiting communication between Councilmembers and staff would apply to the DWP employees.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council at this session, Mayor Herrick adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m. in honor of former Mayor Neal Hertzmann.
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Erica Stephenson, City Clerk