The session began with a focus on a police report involving Mayor Carneahan and local resident Sophie Foster, an employee at the Nisswa Main Street Ale House. Foster had requested an apology from Carneahan for remarks allegedly made, resulting in a confrontation on November 28th at the Pickle Factory. Carneahan reported to Police Chief Sysmansky that Foster had assaulted her, claiming verbal abuse. However, Officer Dustin Hines, who investigated the incident, found no evidence of violence in Foster’s communications. The city prosecutor’s office later declined to pursue charges against Foster, citing insufficient evidence of any violent act.

The council’s attention then shifted to the broader climate of negativity within the council and the volunteer fire department. Concerns were voiced over social media posts and public statements that have contributed to the discord. One of the posts described a council member as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” which was seen as detrimental to the community’s morale. The council acknowledged recent personnel changes, including the departure of a city administrator and city clerk, as indicators of the ongoing turmoil.

Public comments highlighted the community’s division. Fred Hydeman advocated for resolving conflicts privately. Conversely, Sandra Puff argued that transparency was essential, criticizing Carneahan for referencing personal connections during public exchanges. Josh Gazelka supported Foster, emphasizing the need for leaders to foster an open environment for expressing concerns. Troy Sheffler recounted past experiences with Carneahan that aligned with Foster’s allegations.

The council members themselves expressed varying degrees of dissatisfaction with Carneahan’s leadership. One member, who had previously supported Carneahan, cited a change in her demeanor post-election loss, leading to what they described as a “stalemate” in the council’s operations. They pointed to the mayor’s alleged attempts to maintain control over the council, which they believed hindered city progress. The council member called for Carneahan’s resignation, emphasizing the need for a reset in leadership.

Another council member echoed the sentiment, calling the ongoing disruptions unacceptable and stressing the importance of leadership built on “honesty, respect, and integrity.” They highlighted the role of misinformation, particularly on social media, in exacerbating the situation and urged the community to reject negativity.

The discussion turned toward formal actions the council could take against the mayor. A city attorney outlined options such as a vote of no confidence or censure, contingent on reviewing the council’s code of conduct. The council agreed to continue the discussion at the next regular meeting, with plans to review the code and consider resolutions.