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The North Branch City Council met early last week to first deal with a complaint filed by Kelly Neider against the mayor, as the sole topic for a special meeting just prior to the regular session.  

In the special review of the complaint council voted 3-0 —with the mayor and Neider sitting out— to not dismiss the matter but to not act on the complaint either.  

Council called for an October 24  “hearing” on the complaint.

Council members Travis Miles, Robert Canada and Peter Schaps were unable to agree that all three conditions that constitute a complaint under the Code of Conduct, were met within the complaint details. Minus that consensus— setting a date for holding a hearing was one option.

Council member Neider apparently complained that remarks made by Mayor Kevin Schieber, directed at her, violated the council Code of Conduct.  (The complaint itself was not part of the agenda materials.)

Council member Miles stated he reviewed the videotape of the mayor speaking and he felt the words were directed to an action, and not denigrating member Neider.

Council member Schaps commented that he would like another way to address these types of perceived slights.  (This is the third session responding to a code of conduct violation allegation since spring.) 

Schaps remarked that North Branch citizens don’t like council dealing with these (complaints.)

The council may yet take action to censure the mayor or other measures restricting his office authority— or dismiss the issue all together following next week’s hearing.  No testimony from either side was allowed or fact gathering done in this preliminary review.

In regular session, council unanimously adopted an increase of close to nine percent for the 2024 preliminary levy as expected (story Press September 28.) This preliminary levy is a maximum and before the end of this year,  a final 2024 levy must be enacted. The council can decrease from last week’s action but can not go above the levy set. The taxation hearing for the public is November 27 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

Council gave staff the okay to seek proposals for a rental housing study.   

The proposals will be analyzed and they don’t have to result in a contract. This study would cover existing inventory, availability and potential future demand for all types of rental housing.  

Community Development Director Jason Ziemer said he’s hoping for at least two RFPs to compare.

North Branch has about 200 rental units that opened recently, with another senior project Boka Haven due to start construction soon.  It’s time to do a recap on how much more rental housing and what type,  North Branch can sustain, Ziemer explained. We are trying to be proactive with the study, he advised.   

Member Schaps voted no, explaining he wants to see emphasis on attracting non residential projects. Ziemer responded the two “go hand in hand” and North Branch can appear more attractive to commerce and industry agents looking for a location, when there’s workforce and generational housing in place. 

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