The Hermantown Data Center and NDAs Continues to be a Focus

At this week's St. Louis County Commissioner's meeting, the Hermantown data center was still a focus of conversation.  The public comment period began with opposition to the data center, with citizens commenting on how they still feel betrayed by County Commissioners who signed non-disclosure agreements on the project. 

Once the regular Board meeting began, Commissioner Grimm was quick to bring up the previous County Board meeting, which ended with many members of the public unable to speak on the data center issue and one of the County Commissioners using vulgar language, aimed at a reporter. 

After County Chair Harala reaffirmed that NDAs, as well as public comments on them, would be on the agenda at the next County Board meeting, Commissioner Nelson doubled down, “The language, if someone asks me to apologize for that, the meeting was done, it was over, the public meeting was over.  I will not apologize for it.”  

Nelson at first said he was simply defending another Commissioner, stating that Commissioner and Vice-Chair Jugovich was “attacked by someone who claims to be a reporter…”  Chairwoman Harala attempted to reign in Nelson, who continued to speak over her, “No, madam Chair, I’m going to finish my comment.  I will finish my comment, because there is no reason that we as Commissioners should get attacked.  I was not going to allow that so-called reporter to attack my Board Chair for doing his job.”

Once he finished speaking, Harala stated, "We are not going to be discussing members of the public."  Ultimately saying, “I have seen the video, and I still don’t agree with the tenor of discourse.”  Nelson respectfully disagreed.  Chair Harala closed the conversation, “That will not be the decorum of our Board going forward.”

The next St. Louis County Board meeting is scheduled on November 4th.