The Brooklyn Park City Council on Monday directed the city manager to prepare a resolution that would formally censure City Council Member Boyd Morson for violating the city's Respectful Workplace Policy and Elected Officials' Code of Conduct.
Monday's action came after an investigation launched by the city in January found that Morson aggressively communicated by email to a female city employee and subjected her to some level of "unwanted physical contact," according to highly redacted documents released by the city.
The City Council is expected to vote on a formal censure at its meeting on Monday, a city spokeswoman said.
"The people of Brooklyn Park — our residents, business owners, and city staff — expect their Mayor and City Council to govern the city with the highest degree of professionalism," Mayor Lisa Jacobson said in a statement. "We took steps that may lead to the censure of a council member due to the violation of the City's Respectful Workplace Policy and the Elected Officials' Code of Conduct. I and my City Council colleagues will continue to work to ensure a safe and welcoming workplace for all."
A call to Morson seeking comment was not returned.
According to the complaint, an investigation started after the employee said Morson stood behind her, bent over her chair and whispered into her ear while rubbing the back of her shoulders and neck. The employee documented the encounter in an email she sent to herself, the report said.
"I want the physical contact at the meeting documented in the event that it should continue or there should be additional threats made against me," the employee wrote in the email. "This behavior is not welcome or appreciated. It is inappropriate."
The employee later met with the human resources department and said she feared Morson would retaliate against her when he found out about the complaint.
