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The much-anticipated conversation between the Houghton City Council and its attorney regarding when and if councilor Jan Cole should recuse herself from voting fizzled last night, because of a balky Zoom connection.
Attorney Patrick Greeley was scheduled to share his opinion about the issue, but the discussion was tabled after the online connection failed.
Cole helps manage the Hall Building in downtown Houghton, which is owned by her brother, Edward Cole.
Edward Cole is suing the city over plans recently approved to allow a taller structure to be built on an adjacent lot. Council members are seeking guidance as to what extent Cole’s status with the Hall Building constitutes a conflict of interest.
The council also recently voted to involve an ethicist in the decision-making process. That decision didn’t sit well with former District Court Judge Mark Wisti, whose letter was read into the record by City Clerk Ann Vollrath.
Resident A.G. Michaels took the council to task for the vote that elevated Brian Irizarry to mayor, in a letter read into the record by Vollrath.
You can hear the full contents of both letters here:
