Investigator Rules on Rochester, MN Councilmember’s Discrimination Allegation
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The City of Rochester has received the findings of an investigation launched earlier this year after a city councilmember alleged the city had discriminated against her.
The investigation into the allegations was launched in March after Councilmember Molly Dennis accused city officials of failing to accommodate her under the Public Services provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Dennis also alleged a March 6 council vote to censure her for “ongoing and persistent concerns” about her conduct with fellow council members and city staff, and the terms that accommodated censure also were an act of discrimination against her disability.
The investigation, conducted by Ms. Ann Goering from the law firm Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A., found none of councilmember Dennis’s accusations were substantial.
The investigation involved interviews with the following City of Rochester leaders:
- Councilmember Molly Dennis
- Mayor Kim Norton
- Councilemeber Shaun Palmer
- Councilmember Norman Wahl
- City Administrator Alison Zelms.
- City Attorney Michael Spindler-Krage
- Councilmember Kelly Kirkpatrick
- Councilmeber Mark Bransford
- Councilmember Brooke Carlson
- Councilmember Patrick Keane
A redacted report of the investigation stated while Dennis’s disability may impact her, “it is her actions themselves that led the Council and City employees to respond take reasonable steps to focus resources on City business.”
Dennis was censured on a 4-1 vote. The censure also cited elevated and unproductive behavior" during and after a City Council study session on February 27.
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