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because it was a contentious ruling about a topic that had been put onto the agenda <br />under Council Reports/Business without a required second Councilmember’s <br />sponsorship, without advance notice and more importantly, a misrepresentation of the <br />topic to be discussed…which suggests a possible violation of RSMo 610.020. The <br />exact manner in which the matter was handled is highly germane to a complete <br />record of how this Council conducts itself. The Council meeting is no place for mean- <br />spirited political theater, yet this has been the accepted style for over a year with the <br />implicit, if not explicit approval of the Chair. We look to the Chair for rulings that are <br />impartial and just, and when they are not, I believe the record of our meeting should <br />document that. In the absence of impartiality and justice – and any real leadership by <br />the Chair, it is incumbent upon me to remember why I was elected: to work on the <br />business of the people. I, therefore, step forward to offer that leadership to this <br />Council. I would ask that my esteemed fellow Councilmembers vote to approve the <br />minutes of April 22, 2013, as they are presented by the City Clerk (without the <br />quotes), and allow me to proudly be the one dissenting vote, that we get back to the <br />business of the people and look forward to the time when we can rely upon <br />leadership, impartiality and justice”. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft asked for a Point of Information if the motion was for the minutes of May 13, <br />2013. Mayor Welsch clarified stating this vote was for the minutes of April 22, 2013. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch stated that she thought it was not worth the time of Council to discuss <br />whether or not one her comments at a previous meeting should be in quotes or <br />whether a repetitive comment and stumble she made should be included in the <br />minutes. But, if the majority of the Council votes to proceed on putting it in quotes, <br />they had her blessing. Mayor Welsch did say the Council Rules of Order and <br />Procedures state the Council will follow Robert’s Rules of Order, which clearly state <br />that the minutes of an ordinary society, “Should contain mainly a record of what was <br />done at a meeting, not what was said by members”. She noted that the majority of <br />Council has ordered the City Clerk to produce almost-verbatim minutes which goes <br />against the precepts of Robert’s Rules and against the advice of Counsel. Mayor <br />Welsch stated the majority rules and she would not spend an inordinate amount of <br />time quibbling over how the almost-verbatim minutes are presented and will contest <br />only when a member of Council tries to change the meaning or emphasis of her <br />comments. She asked Council to proceed to a vote and however they voted was fine <br />with her. <br /> <br />Mr. Price asked if that was a motion. Mayor Welsch stated there was a motion to <br />approve the April 22, 2013, minutes and a second already on the floor. Mr. Price <br />questioned how the corrections be made on the appeal of the ruling was not in order. <br />Mayor Welsch said she acknowledged at the top of the meeting that a mistake was <br />made in her ruling on the Point of Order, so that will be noted in the minutes of this <br />meeting. <br /> <br />The approval of the April 22, 2013 Regular session minutes were approved by a <br />majority with a Nay vote from Ms. Carr. <br /> <br />2. <br />The minutes of May 13, 2013, City Council Study Session were moved for approval <br />by Mr. Crow and were seconded by Mr. Glickert and carried unanimously. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />