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CITY  (NewsDakota.com)–Valley City residents waiting or hoping for the possible conclusion of government drama were sorely disappointed after a special meeting this morning.

The city commission called a special meeting with the intent of initiating an executive session with various attorneys over two items of what City Attorney R. Jon Fitzner calls “litigation” against the city.

One item is the annexation of The Ram, the former Peanut Bar south of Valley City that now stands to be annexed into the city.

The other is the drawn-out saga over a verbal reprimand levied against Valley City police chief Dean Ross by City Administrator Jon Cameron, a move that has since spawned both a slough of charges against the chief by the city for financial mismanagement and a protest effort by the city calling for the political heads Mayor Bob Werkoven and Commissioner Ken Evenson.

The agenda for the meeting, published this week on the city’s website, called for an executive session for both issues, meaning the commission would consult with attorneys outside of the view of the public, followed by what the agenda called “final action” on both issues.

However, after the commission met for over an hour behind closed doors, they returned to the commission chambers, at which time Fitzner announced that the commission would continue with both legal proceedings and no decisions would be made.

The nearly full-house crowd in attendance berated the commission as they left the chambers, with shouts accusing the commission of being afraid of facing the public on an issue that has put various elements of the city in emotional gridlock.

Litigation, but not a lawsuit

Due to his being placed on administrative leave, Chief Ross is not allowed to attend city meetings or be in city hall.  He was not present at the proceedings today.

During the executive session, Ross was found by reporters, and he spoke of his dismay with the terminology being used over his legal matters with the city.

While Fitzner spoke of attorneys “defending the city against litigation” from Ross this morning, Ross says he has filed no lawsuit against the city.  He has merely, through his attorney, made a request that the verbal reprimand be removed from his file.

Ross meets with reporters from his vehicle during the city’s executive session this morning.  (photo by Ryan Cunningham)

“They make it sound like I want a bunch of money.  I don’t want money.  I just want the reprimand to be withdrawn,” said Ross this morning.

Despite this, the city had three attorneys on hand to discuss the issues today.  Two were Fitzner and incoming city attorney Russell Myhre, and the third was from a stat agency.

Ross remains on indefinite paid leave from the city, with no indication from the city as to when any decisions will be made.

Impatient public

The city is facing a public quickly running out of patience with the issue.

As the commission left the room, the gallery, which nearly filled the seats for a 7:00 a.m. meeting and waited through the over-hour-long lull, shouted at the commission, which left quickly.  Some spectators even walked from their seats to the table to voice the city’s lack of action.

One member of the crowd chose to show her opinion on her wardrobe.

A member of the crowd shows her opinion of city government with artwork on her shirt.  The caption at the top states “Our City Government” and shows illustrations of the backside of four horses.  (photo by Ryan Cunningham)

The commission has it’s next regular meeting on Monday at 5:00 p.m.