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Politics & Government

Lakeville's Heritage Center Controversy Deepens

Mayor Mark Bellows alleges senior center coordinator Linda Walter lied about project. Closed session being scheduled to investigate charges.

The newly-dubbed Heritage Center project, the proposed shared-use facility for , and organizations, remains embroiled in controversy.

Despite for the project in late July that would turn the city’s vacant police station into the new home for all three groups, a consent agenda item to approve a $58,000 architectural and design services contract with Wold Architects was pulled from routine business during Monday night’s City Council meeting and sparked a developing side controversy that involves allegations of lying by city staff. The controversy also prompted to say that he feels as if the Heritage Center project had been shoved … well, basically somewhere the sun doesn’t usually shine.

“I don’t know how else to say it,” said Bellows. “I’m ashamed for the process.”

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After questioning Parks and Recreation director Steve Michaud on some of the specifics of the contract, which Michaud said came in “significantly under” projected estimates and represented the lowest bid for the requested services, the contract was ultimately approved on a 3-2 vote with Bellows and Council member dissenting.

LaBeau had questioned some of the wording in the contract including a provision that allowed for reimbursables, but Bellows was more outspoken about his ‘no’ vote.

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“There is an understanding on the council that once a vote has been taken and a majority are in favor of something, that we unite and support the project,” said Bellows. “I have never deviated from that. But in this case, since the (Heritage Center) vote was taken, some information has come to light ... I feel like we’ve been lied to by a staff member.”

Bellows didn’t go into specifics about the allegations of lying but did request a closed executive session be scheduled so the council could discuss the matter further.

When City Attorney Roger Knutson stated that in order for a closed session to take place, the person about whom the closed session dealt with had to be identified, Bellows identified long-time senior center coordinator Linda Walter.

Council member objected to the Mayor’s handling of the issue.

“I think the allegation of lying is pretty hefty,” he said, “especially without any evidence at all. I stand behind the staff one-hundred percent.”

Little requested a special session to talk about the decorum of the council, but was not joined by a needed second person to make that happen.

Lakeville Patch will have a more in-depth story on the developing controversy soon.

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