Special meeting will discuss Olsen
Libby City Council President Bill Bischoff has scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to move the dilemma with Councilman Allen Olsen forward.
In a brief, two-sentence statement, Bischoff announced the meeting that was sent to Council members and to media.
“The purpose of the meeting will be to address and discuss the concerns of Council member Allen Olsen,” Bischoff’s statement read.
Olsen contacted Wednesday afternoon said he planned to attend, and “looks forward to discussing the agenda issues.”
Olsen, whose residency has been called into question and who has tried unsuccessfully to get on the board’s agenda for discussion, on Monday night stepped from behind his councilman’s seat and addressed the panel during the “Hear from the Public” session.
Olsen, while standing at the podium normally used by the public to address the City Council, started by directing comments toward City Attorney Jim Reintsma.
“Has the mayor requested a legal opinion of the legality of refusing to do the duties of his office by refusing to appoint an elected councilman to a committee?” Olsen began.
Olsen’s inquiry about the legality of Mayor Doug Roll’s refusal to appoint him to a committee, said those actions are preventing him from doing his elected job.
“By violating Open Meeting laws and the right of public participation, I have requested twice to be put on the agenda,” Olsen said. “(Because of this), the mayor and the Council that follow him is in violation of their oath to protect and defend the Constitution,” Olsen alleged.
On Monday, Reintsma, said he was unable to answer Olsen without first researching precedent, but Reinstma did agree to meet with Olsen at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the day after the City Council meeting.
After that Tuesday meeting, Reintsma, who still is studying the matter, said there may be no statute that mandates the mayor appoint Olsen to a committee.
“My quick answer: I don’t believe so,” Reintsma said. “I’ve looked at the Charter, and I’m not aware of anything.”
Reintsma said he still is looking at who should be appointing committee posts.
“It’s not clear, but that duty may fall upon Council President (Bill) Bischoff to make the appointments, but I’m still researching this.”
Monday night’s meeting also witnessed former City Councilman D.C. Orr step twice to the podium to speak on behalf of Olsen, first when residents were able to speak on items on the agenda, and secondly, when residents are granted an open forum. Both instances are limited to three minutes.
“I voted for Allen Olsen,” Orr restated. “And what I’ve been seeing still is going on. … Something is wrong with the program here. You guys (the City Council) have gone pretty much underground (with committee) meetings. … I ask that you stop making this Troy East.”
Orr’s comment reflected on recent Troy City Council meetings, which ultimately came down to the mayor being recalled.
In other action, the Council also …:
• Heard from Kathy Stern who requested street closures from 6 a.m. until noon on Saturday, June 23, for the Logger Days Parade. Stern requested the closure of Mineral
Avenue from U.S. Route 2 to Second Street and both sides of Lincoln Boulevard. The Council unanimously granted the closure.
• Granted street closures of Mineral Avenue to Sandy Doubek, owner of Pastime Bar, for four dates, including June 23 and 23, Aug. 3 and 4, Aug. 17 and Sept 7 and 8. The requests are for street dances for summer festivals, including Logger Days, a biker rally, Igniter’s weekend and Nordicfest, respectively.
• Decided to put off action on the proposed nuisance ordinance. Resident Jim Rostorfer asked the Council to define “normal” and “ordinary” noise levels as they are written in the proposed statute, and challenged the Council to determine those levels. Mayor Roll said it was the board’s intent to “just put this out there now for discussion.”