Days after an investigator found that Northfield Mayor Lee Lansing violated the city's ethics code, the City Council today is expected to consider a resolution that calls for him to resign.
An outside investigator hired by the council reported Monday that Lansing used his office to further personal and family interests.
The council can't force the mayor to resign, but the resolution censures Lansing and asks him to clear his desk, turn in his keys to City Hall and step down immediately "in the best interest of the City of Northfield." If the resolution passes, the City Council will also send a copy of investigator William Everett's report to the Rice County attorney to find out whether Lansing violated state law or the city's code.
In a letter to the editor of the Northfield News this week, Council Member Jim Pokorney also asked Lansing to step down. Pokorney was one of three council members sued by Lansing over plans for new municipal liquor store.
Lansing said Friday that he was still considering his options but said earlier in the week that he had no plans to resign.
According to Everett's report, the mayor lobbied behind the scenes to have the city move its municipal liquor store to property owned by his son, David. He also pushed his agenda at City Hall in a dispute with developers who bought the building housing his family's hardware store in downtown Northfield, attempting to keep the developers from occupying the second floor of the building, the report said.
The City Council will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. today to consider action in light of the report. The meeting will be held at Northfield City Hall, 801 Washington St.
Sarah Lemagie • 952-882-9016
