City Council

7887 E. 60th Ave. Commerce City Commerce City, CO 80022 c3gov.com Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Monday, March 16, 2020 5:30 PM Council Chambers Special Meeting Citizen communication is not permitted at special meetings. To exercise precaution in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, members of the public are strongly encouraged to participate by viewing the meeting at c3gov.com/video or on Channel 8 1. Call to Order/Roll Call A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Commerce City was called to order by Mayor Huseman on March 16, 2020, at 5:30 PM. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Frank, seconded by Council Member Allen-Thomas, to excuse Council Members Hurst and Smith from the meeting. VOTE: 7 - Aye, 2 - Excused (Hurst, Smith) Present: 8 - Mayor Benjamin Huseman, Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Frank, Council Member Oscar Madera, Council Member Jennifer Allen-Thomas, Council Member Susan Noble, Council Member Jose Guardiola, Council Member Craig Hurst and Council Member Meghan Grimes Excused: 1 - Council Member Robyn Smith Commerce City Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2020 2. Discussion of Mayor Huseman's Conduct The council discussed Mayor Huseman's conduct at a National League of City conference in Washington, D.C. Council Member Hurst entered the meeting at 5:36 p.m. A motion was made by Council Member Grimes, seconded by Council Member Guardiola, to forego a formal investigation, place a letter reprimand on Mayor Huseman's file, and release a public statement as a council on how they intend to move forward. Council Member Grimes amended their motion to forego the formal investigation and to draft a reprimand that speaks to the conduct that lead to the mistake rather than the mistake itself and then also to release a statement as a council collectively on how they intend to move forward. After discussion with the city attorney, Council Member Grimes clarified the motion to postpone and potentially forego the investigation pending a draft of a reprimand letter that would be approved by council at a later date. Mayor Pro Tem Frank seconded the motion. Council Member Grimes restated their motion as to forego the investigation and place a letter of reprimand stating only what has been admitted on some file and to release a statement publicly that reflects how they as a council will move forward together and to ask the council members to respectfully refrain from discussing the matter further on social media. Mayor Pro Tem Frank agreed to second the motion as restated. Council Member Grimes amended their motion to continue with the investigation with a cap and that council still release a statement as a council on how they are moving forward and that they refrain as a council from speaking publicly on social media about the circumstances while under investigation. Mayor Pro Tem Frank did not re-second the amended motion. Council Member Madera seconded the amended motion. After discussion with the city attorney, Council Member Grimes amended their motion to ask council to agree to refrain from speaking about this matter on social media until resolution is reached. Mayor Pro Tem Frank seconded the amended motion. After council discussion, Council Member Grimes withdrew their motion. A motion was made by Council Member Madera, seconded by Council Member Noble, to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Madera withdrew their motion. A motion was made by Council Member Grimes, seconded by Council Member Madera, to approve the draft Public Statement Regarding Council Investigation provided by the City Manager as a statement to be used by council members with an amendment to the statement to reflect an investigator will be retained that week. VOTE: 8 - Aye, 1 - Excused (Smith) Commerce City Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2020 3. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: ___________________________ Dylan A. Gibson, Deputy City Clerk Commerce City Page 3