seiIn addition, the outcome of the investigation has been shared with Mr. Lambert
and his union's legal counsel. Minnesota's data privacy restricts what the City can
disclose at this time. We are committed to complying with those requirements
even though we might wish to be able to fully disclose all of the information. As
such, the City Council cannot respond to or comment on any questions or
information, which might be put before it tonight, even if we know there is
another side to the story. Depending on what happens with the employee's due
process rights in the future, the details of the situation may become a matter of
public record. Until that time, however, the City will abide by the requirements of
the law and not discuss or comment on this matter. If that option becomes
available the City will release everything the law permits it to release.
What I would like to do at this time is open the floor to any comments from
anyone in the audience. Mr. Lambert will speak — he can speak as long as he so
wishes. Everyone else we would ask you to speak for five minutes. Clerk Smith
will time it similar to any kind of public discussion. She will show you when you
have two minutes remaining, when you have one minute, and 30 seconds, and
then to stop. OK?
I would like to hear as many of you as possible. If you have some designated
spokesperson, that might be helpful. This will be the time to discuss this item
because it is an agenda item. Public Comments, which is later in our agenda, that
is for items not on the agenda. So during that time we will not be discussing this
item. At the end of this item, we will take a vote.
Mr. Lambert, welcome.
Bobby Lambert [applause, cheering]
Thank you.
Good evening, my name is Bobby Lambert and my wife Devra. I would first like
to thank everyone ... I mean everyone ... for taking the time out of their busy
day to come out here and support us.
I speak to you tonight on a matter of genuine public concern as has been
expressed by other residents of this community. My relationship with this city
dates back to 1987 when I was a freshman at St. Thomas Academy. In June of
1996 I chose to join Mendota Heights Police Department because of the
wonderful people that I had met over those four years. I have been a Mendota
Heights resident for over 11 years. I love this city and my wife and I are thankful
for the opportunity to raise our children here in Mendota Heights.
Prior to our Police Union's 2012 filing of the allegations against Police Chief
Mike Aschenbrener and Police Sergeant Eric Peterson, I had never been the
subject of any Internal Affairs investigation; nor had I ever been formally
disciplined by my department. Since 2012, I have documented and reported 11
separate incidents of retaliation against me by Chief Aschenbrener. I can think of
June 7, 2016 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2