States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, >> you do the call. Do the roll call. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Chair Christine Lau, >> present. >> Vice Chair Elizabeth Lamug >> here. >> Member Mitchell Msky >> here. >> Member Don Snow >> here. Member John Dulo >> here.
>> Member Jalisa Collins is absent and excused. >> Member Carmen Hernandez >> here. >> Alternate member one Victoria Moore is absent but excused. Alternate to Katarina Ailoba >> here.
>> You have six out of seven members and one alternate quorum. Awesome. Thank you. Okay. Opening business is the approval of the minutes and it's from January 13 of 2026. Did everybody get the moment the opportunity to look over those?
>> You didn't see them in your email? >> Yeah, I did. >> Okay. >> Does anybody want to make a motion to approve? >> I'll make a motion to approve. Okay. Elizabeth makes a motion. Can I get a second? I'll >> second. >> Mitchell second. All in favor? I I >> Anyone opposed? Motion passes.
Okay. And then we have new business discussion and possible action on board member attendance. >> Good evening. Stephanie Strader, principal planner with community development. So in front of you, you do have the attendance records that you requested. So I'm just going to give a
little bit of background, the important things. This is really just up for you all to discuss and make potential action on, but I want to give a little bit of background. So, as you're looking at your 2025 and 2026 attendance sheets that you see, I want to point out it is just for the meetings. We don't do this for the work sessions because a quorum
is not required. So, for the meetings, since a reform is required, we keep track of those attendants. So, you'll see certain symbols. EA is excused absence. There's a >> Somebody's got their paper. It's the paper on the microphone. >> It's okay. Uh there's a typo up there,
but it's UA is unexcused absence. P is present. R is resign. T is terminated. And that doesn't mean we fired you. It just means that your term ended. Um, as an example, I'll point out with Miss Lemugs, you'll see she had a T and then it was grayed out because her term
ended, but she was reappointed. Um, so some get reappointed, some do not. And then if there's an X, it means there was no meeting, whether it was canceled or we just had no meeting scheduled at that time. So you'll notice there are some gray blocks. That means they weren't on the board at that time. So, their attendance doesn't actually count up
until the point that you start seeing the letters. So, our bylaws are pretty specific. One of our lines says that any member with three consecutive unexcused absences shall be expelled from the board. Doesn't say it has to be voted on, just
says they shall be expelled from the board. Then there's another line immediately following it that says, "Any member with excessive, non-consecutive, unexcused, or excused absences may at the discretion of the board be expelled by action of the board at a regular
meeting. However, there's a caveat to that. You do have to notify the member if you are interested in terminating on the board. I'm going to pick on Mr. Dulo because you're just looking at me and I have to use you." >> So, let's say we had this meeting today and you all wanted to get rid of Mr. Dulo. you're able to look at him and
say, "At our next available meeting, we are going to be discussed terminating you." That is his notification. He has to receive it at least two weeks prior to us determining that. Now, Mr. Dulo was not here, but we were interested in terminating him. You would notify me and you would say, "At our next meeting, it
may not be next month or just at our next available meeting that we have cases and we want to bring this before the board. I'd like to discuss terminating Mr. Dulo." I have to send him notification that we are interested in terminating him. So, as long as it's two weeks in advance, that is considered
the proper notification. So, and that's what I did say here on this slide here. Excused absences. If we get notification, it's considered excused. If we don't get notification, it's considered unexcused. As Dan mentioned in the last meeting, if you want to review those excuses and
determine what is excused or not, that's the discretion of the chair. For us, again, we're just staff. You notify us. You let us know. It could be any reason. There's nothing in the bylaws that states what is excused versus unexcused. So at this point now it would just be looking at is it excessive. That is
something that you can consider. >> But that's all my presentation. It's up for your all discussion if you have any questions for us. >> Um I'm sorry. I'm going to nitpick just a second because the terminated is this actually in like document somewhere like that using that
terminology. That's >> because I noticed you just said terminated if for non-excused absences is also the same part as ending a term and that's just kind of >> for it's not listed like that in the ordinance or I believe in the bylaws >> or like or just so like so when you're
like later on it shows up it doesn't >> you would know if somebody's been >> for this report I suggest that you change the t to te just for term expired. >> Yeah, I agree. Yeah, >> we can do that. This is just it's a it's an absence form that we have been using for years. So we can
>> this isn't typically publicly distributed or anything but you should get this. >> So I I can tell you that I know for a fact on January the first meeting just for myself. Um I did show up it was late but I showed up I showed up at like 67
and we only had literally just the quick introduction of each other. Um and so I know that one is not correct. And then looking at a couple of the other folks, I can say that I believe going through just my memory, some of the excused absences are not excused. Um, I know
that for a fact because a few people said, "Have did anybody reach out or anything like that?" >> Wait, are you talking about this? >> No, this year or last year's January? >> Last year's. >> Oh, okay. Um, so because I have the sheet in front of me for the whole the duration. Yeah, I just
>> um and it does apply because if we've been on the board since last January at least, I think now we're at a year and I think you know calendar year I I personally feel like it if you haven't showed up to the majority of meetings for that calendar year >> that's it's pertinent. Um so I know we
discussed this at the last meeting and I know you said that you know it's up to to me or the board and honestly I think since we're a board it should be something that we can discuss. Am I correct? Is that okay? discuss >> meaning in other words like >> the process for excusing absences or no
each excused absence. >> No, basically along the lines of like we have someone who's listed here that has four absences and well actually technically now six because they weren't here at the last meeting or this meeting. So from January until February
there's six there's six absences which counts as excessive in my opinion. >> Right. Well, I mentioned this at the last meeting and Stephanie pointed out it again. I think the board needs to tighten up what's referred to as an excused absence. >> I agree. >> Right. And I think that's where we're
getting. Staff, as good a job as they do, they do not, it's not, how do I put this? It's difficult for them to be in the position of being the ones that say it's excused or unexcused. They basically as Stephanie they take the position if you call us and tell us you're not going to
be there that's an excused absence. >> I don't from the operation of a board I don't think that's necessarily an considered an excused absence. >> Right. Your meetings are set. They don't it's not like you change them every day and say okay next week. Tomorrow we were going to meet tomorrow but now we're meeting next week and then all of a
sudden people can't be here. The dates of the meeting are set in advance. everybody who volunteers to be on the board. I get everybody's volunteer and they have conflicts that unexpected conflicts, but they ought to be able to schedule the meeting. And I'm not just saying that for this board. We try to
describe that for all because it can be operationally difficult for the city as well as staff. If folks who say they'll come to a board know when the meetings are, but they decide, well, I can't go today because I want to do something else, right? Basically, but I'm going to
call and get an excused absence. I think the way this works best is for the chairperson to be the one that decides the excuse. >> Okay. >> And what happens there is staff typically will get the request. Staff would before the meeting contact the chairperson and say we've got so and so
said they're not going to be at the meeting. This is their reason. Do you think that's excused? >> Now I think we can do that and if it ever becomes an issue between that the frankly between the chair and that person then the whole board can decide. >> Okay. Okay. That's fair. >> Right. Then you can come back and say
okay some of the majority board might say we sorry madam chair we think you were wrong they should have been excused fine but I think that's the way you do it and I frankly do not think it should simply be because I found something better I wanted to do that and I to come there right
>> you know if you you know so >> so I mean I I this is how I look at it I sit on several boards and this is my my one for the city and all of my boards are volunteer basis I'm a vice chair I'm a chair and I'm a member liaison And that's the three positions I hold on all the boards. I'm on the executive portion
I guess for each board. And we have a standard on several of the boards that basically um obviously what you would be considered an excused absence for school and work like not to be juvenile but that's kind of essentially what I think would be considered acceptable as an excused absence here. Health reasons
your child a loss of a family member. Sometimes work gets in the way because this is a volunteer basis and some people travel for work. Those are the kind of things that I can personally see as acceptable absences. You know, I mean, listen, if your kid is sick, your child takes precedence over anything
like this. I I get it. You have a loss in your family. I completely understand that. Your work says you got to go. Or if you're sick, please don't come and spread it. You know what I mean? Um I think those are kind of the standards. So essentially, what I think we would consider acceptable for most workplaces
and school could maybe set the standard. That would be entirely again that's going to be entirely if you if you follow this this isn't in your bylaws. It isn't in the ordinance. So what you're basically saying is okay this is how we as a board agree to have this handled. They're going to place that
discretionary authority in the in the chair to be able you that's what you're that's what I'm suggesting you do again with the idea that if someone thinks the chair maybe been a little bit >> you know overused they can >> sure >> they can bring it back. Remember, when
you've got the idea of three unexcused absences, >> you guys meet every month. I mean, god forbid someone's kid is sick for three months consecutively. I mean, that's a pretty serious thing, right? Sure. So, and you still might say, you know, that happens but
>> someone misses something because they're out of town one month >> and you decide that's not an excused absence because they should have known better or something like that. But at least it's only one, >> right? It's not three consecutive. >> So, I think with that being said, I
think um and and I think I want to set a I want to set this as a standard and I don't know how to word it exactly correctly. I know that there are some folks who may be sitting on the board that have younger children and I understand that they require more care than say a 17-year-old or a 14-year-old.
But I feel like if every month you're taking that time to take care of your minor child or you don't have child care to be able to come to the meeting at some point in time that still affects a possible quorum and a vote. And so I don't think lack of child care is necessarily if it's excessive. Does that
make sense? So I don't know how you want to word it but this is kind of what I would do. This is just my personal >> I think what the board's saying is they're okay with you taking that position. >> So I tell >> unless I don't think anybody's disagreeing with what I'm suggesting. >> So that's what I'm saying. Do I give her like the terms that we should write down?
>> No. What you do is what will happen is to think I mean you're not going to ask anybody to provide you know doctor's notes and all that. We're not going to go that route. Are they going to a note from their mother saying you know >> Elizabeth wasn't there sign Elizabeth mom
whatever. Um the uh what would happen is I would see it staff gets the call or receives information >> and then they just communicate it to you and then you ask them well what's their reason. >> Okay. >> Right. >> And then you make that decision before the meeting.
>> Okay. >> Would it help you at all to have an actual instead of excessive an actual number? >> Well, we do now. >> The excessive non-consecutive. >> Correct. We do now. That's what we That's what this is. So like I'm looking at the absences across the board.
>> Yeah. But she's saying a number that like is like the limit >> where you go okay now I got to sit there. Yeah. So like if there's >> three within six months that's finally your point to say >> Right. Right. And I think we three which I don't think the term consecutive really
>> I think within a calendar year would be more effective than say consecutive. >> So I do want to pause that conversation just a second because these are in our bylaws. Yeah. So, if there are changes that you have to make, that would require changing the bylaws. So, if there's a definitive number that you want to do and then also change between
consecutive versus non-consecutive. I will say consecutive is consistent with our boards across the city. Planning commission runs the same way. If they have three consecutive unexcused absences, that's how you know some members may have two unexcused, they show up for the third, they're good. So
if that is language that you want to change, that would be evaluating what our bylaws say and we can workshop that and that could potentially >> workshop it if you if you feel like it seems to be a consensus is if I can to for the board to delegate the authority
to the chairperson to decide what's >> excessive >> ex well what's excused or unexcused and then to use the number three as anything above three would be >> standard >> would be three. So you would change the ex the language that says excessive to three.
>> Thanks. >> Three or more >> and we could we we can make it's very simple change. We can make that change and put amended by laws on your agenda for the next meeting. >> Okay. >> If that's and then we can talk about it some more if you feel like you don't like the language. But we basically that's what be be basically a simple
clarification of the language that's in your bylaws already. >> So then how would we go about looking at the attendance now and let's just say there's someone that stands out. It's like executive cons. accessible. >> Well, right now you well right now if you believe that you can, as Stephanie pointed out, you can give that person
notice and at the next meeting say we're gonna >> But is that something I would strictly make the decision on or I can say to the board, what do you guys think? >> If you're looking at removal, we'd have to we'd say, okay, we some the board would have to agree tonight. >> Okay. >> That we want to bring this up at our
next meeting. Okay. Provide the member the appropriate notice. >> Okay. and then let the member decide whether they're going to come and explain why and then if they don't offer a reasonable explanation, the board can take the action under bylaws to remove them. >> Okay.
>> Okay. I'm just looking at the sheet right now. I mean, and and this is a very very nice girl. I've had a conversation with her. She's great. But I'm looking at one, two, three, four absences just on the last calendar year. And now we're two months in and both of those are absences. So in a calendar
year we have taken away February. We'll go from January to January. That's five five absences. And that's kind of excessive. I feel in my personal opinion I feel >> um and I remember one point in time actually looking at this now there were several times where we actually had to
have our um our um totally drawing a blank here. Hang on one second. Our alternates. we had to have our our alternates step in to be a quorum and and and at that point in time if the alternates are going to be here on a
consecutive basis I feel like their vote should count if we're going to have members who are not here. Does that make sense how I'm wording it? Like I'm I'm not trying to single anybody out. I just know that there are people who who want to donate their time and volunteer their time and they should have that
opportunity. Um so I don't know. Does anybody have any input on that looking at the sheet? >> I agree. >> Correct. >> Right. >> And there's a lot of resources that are being put in the room. >> I agree. >> Put your microphone, honey. Put your
microphone. >> Sorry. >> The city resources are wasted on the member who unfortunately cannot be present and it's six versus three. So that's definitely excessive. >> I agree. I agree, Mr. D. >> I agree. Yeah, I I do agree.
>> Okay, Elizabeth. >> I agree. >> Dwan, you said you agree. >> Carmen. Okay. So, I think we're kind of all in consensus that unfortunately while Jalissa is a she's a great woman and um definitely is an asset when she was here. I just feel like six absences
is extremely excessive. And um at that point in time, I think our bylaws allow um is it the council or us that makes the decision to move up an alternate or for them to appoint I can't remember off the top of my head. >> Well, what would happen is you don't get
to appoint your own members. So the if you if you give the notice to her and you go through with the removal now that seat becomes empty. An alternate will fill that seat until the council decides to permanently fill that seat. So, we would notify the city clerk that there's
an open seat on the on the historic preservation board and then the council would consider appointing somebody permanently into that seat. If they don't move quickly, then that the alternate number one would basically fill that seat until such time as a permanent appointment is done. >> Okay? And then they have the choice to
say, well, alternate number one, since you're listed as number one, you move up to that seat. Eatina would move up to seat one and then the next person they they can do that, right? That's what we've done in the past. Okay. Thought so. It's been a while. >> Right. >> It's a it's it it's not specific policy,
but it's it's a sort of it's it's an unofficial policy of the board, >> right? >> And to kind of move in this session. >> In fact, Thursday night we're they're doing committee appointments and that's going to be one of the uh uh one of the things that uh that the staff explains to the council and each of the boards.
>> Okay, here these there's an empty spot, but this alternate has been there. One of the things for those of you who are alternates, one of the things that we talked we actually talked about it today. >> One of the things that the that the staff is going to present to the council is how many times the alternates came to meetings. >> Sure.
>> To see how committed the alternates were to it. So, and that's one of the things that's going to be that the council will be presented to the council if the council is going to consider moving an alternate into a permanent position. >> So, they'll take their attendance into consideration, too. And >> for the alternates, yes. because um you know they they want to see who's which
which alternates are really committed. Yeah. You know agree you know so >> agree and I think ecatina had a very very valid point like we're utilizing Jay. We're utilizing Tisha. We're utilizing Stephanie. We're utilizing Hugh and >> security out there now. >> And this Yeah. Well, I mean I'm here. You don't need that sec. No, I'm
kidding. Um but I think that's important. You know, if you're going to commit your time, you're committing your time and we're making a commitment to each other. I mean, we really are. We're making a commitment to be here and to kind of be on the same page and understand things and Christine's time as well, you know. So, um I don't know how you have to proceed, but and it's
unfortunate, but and it's nothing personal. >> We'll provide her notice. >> Yeah. >> And then we'll put it on as an agenda item. Okay. >> And just see what happens, you know. >> Okay. What we've done in the past too as a courtesy sometimes we've we would send notices to the member or to the the member of the board and say something
like we know when you when you put your name in to be on this board that you were committed things change life circumstances happen maybe you just things get in the way and then a lot of times a notice or a letter like that will just say okay you know you're right
>> I got too much going on right and and um so they will voluntarily resign. That might be kind of a kinder way. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Well, we we'll do both. >> They're gonna do both. >> Oh, you do? Okay. >> We'll do both. We're not gonna Listen, listen. You guys have volunteers, >> right? >> You know, we wouldn't be doing our job
if we irritated a bunch of volunteers, right? >> Otherwise, we'll have nobody showing up. >> I mean, I think it's a diplomatic. So, we're not going to do that. So, >> and it's nothing personal. Like I said, she's a lovely lady. I mean, when she came and we spoke, I thought she was great, and I thought she could bring a lot to the table. But I just I want to see somebody get the opportunity that's
afforded to get on the same page and get the same kind of >> So we call it the life gets in the way letter. >> Yeah, absolutely. And things do change. Absolutely. >> We'll do we'll do both. We'll we'll put a little letter from and then to them and um um if you want we can draft a
letter and the chair can sign it >> whatever you guys normally would do >> and then we'll do the well yeah that's typically we'll have the chair sign off on those letters but >> I don't agree. >> My question would be do we need a meeting for that or we can have I can just have her come in >> to sign the letter. >> Oh yeah, we don't need a meeting for
that. >> Okay, >> we can do that. It's like I said, it's just going to be we notice you had a lot of absences. >> We'll reference that. We're gonna it's going to come up, you know, whatever. We we'll work something. >> Okay, perfect. Um, so then that handles
that, right, Carmen? I think you had a question. >> Yes. I just >> Can you go the microphone? >> I'm so sorry. I'm new to all of this guys. So, please forgive me if I can't
seem to be okay with everything. I I I volunteered to do this because it just came up at the St. Class Women Club. They need a volunteer and and I thought it was totally different from what I'm
doing here. And my question is since I'm on this board, is there any other meetings that would help me to come in in conjunction with this or this is just it so I won't miss them? >> Well, it's very important to attend the
work sessions that we have with Christine. She provides a lot of training. >> Okay. Work sessions >> and we can provide um I'm compiling all of them. It's a lot of trainings that we've done, but I can compile all of the PowerPoints that she have and provide them to you in a box link. um those are going to be the best meetings. But all of our meetings are public meetings. If
you want to know more about the city, you're free to come in and to do those. We have planning commission, city council meetings. We very rarely have >> board of the ones I would love to start coming to see because from what I understand and you learn a lot. >> Yes, you do. Yeah. And planning
commission too, I would say, is a big one that you learn a lot. So, but that's all up to you. If you're specifically talking about historic preservation, coming to the work sessions, we've had a little bit of attendance, you know, challenges for the work sessions as well, but those are just as important. >> Yeah. Because I am so sorry. I was just
I applied, it was accepted, and I was thrown into it and it's like >> I remember those days. >> I felt so mo the the planning commission meetings, the city council meetings are all broadcast on the YouTube channel. Mhm. >> So if you can't make it, you can
>> Oh, okay. >> Have you heard of also I found helpful is uh the city uh citizens academy. >> I I applied once but I wasn't accepted and I this past November time just went
by and I completely forgot to apply again. So there's also citizens police academy too and this doing the citizens police academy will sometimes get you a a better opportunity to join the citizens academy and vice versa. >> Okay. Because they like to have people that are willing to do both to kind of
earn the more integral parts. >> Yeah. Because I'm I call myself a transplant meaning I'm not from this area. I'm not a Fidian by >> most of us aren't. >> I am. Uh I only been here 11 years.
>> I mean that's a lot for some people but for those of most people I have come across they they born here and live here. So of course I'm that's nothing in in their in their mind. So I'm just trying to learn so much more about St.
Cloud. That's one of the reasons why I I have joined all the different groups that I have. So on our YouTube channel, like Dan mentioned, all of the old historic preservation meetings are also available. You could always go back and watch them. I believe they even go far as I seen they go back to like 2021, but
even beforehand, I think when some of them were originally on the board. So you can go back and watch those just to see what cases went forward, how we ruled on things, how it's changed because a lot of the processes have changed as well. So it's And of course, if you always have questions, staff's always available, too. You can always reach out to me.
>> Okay, cool. Thank you. So Dan, so there was something else I wanted to bring up as well, just because um it somebody brought something to my attention about a different board, not this particular board. Um but that there are apparently from what I understand
the the rules state you have to live in the city to sit on the city board. Am I correct? >> Most boards, yes. Some boards do not require city residency. >> Okay. So, the boards that do required you're a city resident, um, how are we assuring that everybody is still a city
resident and doesn't move? >> Well, at the time that the board appointments are done, the city clerk's office will pre-qualify all members before they make it on the list of eligible members, right? >> Uh, they do do periodic checks. I don't
know how often they do them for existing board members to find out if they still reside in the city >> uh for those boards that require it. Um but we also but you know we rely on members to tell us I moved I moved I no
longer live in the city to a certain to a certain extent too. So >> I mean I think is there a way to set a standard that maybe every year we sign something like an affidavit or something stating we are members of the city we res we reside in the city. If our board requires us to be city residents is there something like that that we can do
because like I said it was brought to my attention not this board. there's a different board where somebody moved and they just don't want to step down for whatever reason they feel that they want to take the spot and I I personally don't think that's right if there's a city resident that wants to take the spot >> and that's a good we can talk to the
city manager about how if we want to implement something like that there are other ways to do that other than actually having we could do frankly residence checks saying >> you know you guys get your homestead exemption every year right you get a little thing saying >> is it still your homestead and the you
know, the tax collector or the property appraiser sends them out every year, I think. >> And I mean, that's easy for a homeowner, but for somebody who's renting, >> well, I know that, but we could we could send a little notice saying, "Please verify your current address," and then sign off on it, okay, >> on an annualized basis. But it's for most people, it's pretty easy. It's
pretty easy to check. >> And the clerk's office does that. >> Okay, that's true. >> But it is it's >> it's important to remember it's not just because someone else could could fill the seat that lives in the city. they're making decisions for the city.
>> It could be an action taken by a quasa judicial board like yours, >> and there's not a lot of them, >> uh, could be invalidated because a member sitting on that board wasn't, >> right, >> appropriately qualified to be on the board, >> right? >> So, we could we could have a decision
challenged in court, >> okay, >> if it was determined afterwards. Um, on that note, because now, um, I know last time I looked and I think we may have met all the, uh, requirements, but last I looked at the rules, there was also something about we're supposed to have
like one person that has historical and >> it says to the extent possible. So, >> okay. So, we're safe on that. We're we're good and we kind of look at that and that's how your board this board is set up differently than a lot of others because it does have those those criteria in it. But but we couldn't you
can't hold yourself otherwise we really have a difficult time getting >> that's yeah >> okay so now we're on to uh individual board comments I'm going to start with eaterina to the going around anything
>> I do not have any comments right now >> okay John >> me either >> I'm okay >> Carmen I'm Good. >> All right. I think we're good then. >> So, thank you everybody. >> All right. So then meeting adjourned.
>> Okay.