Agenda - Charter Commission - 08/15/2002 - Joint with CC

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Minn. ,Stat. ~ 412.02, subd. 1 and 412.191, snbd. ! Minn. Stat. § 412.572, subd. 1 Minn, Stat. § 412.571, subd. 4 and 5 blinn. S/at. §§ 412.571, snbd. 4 and 5 and 410.01- .33 Minn. Stat. § 412,581 administrative as well as legislative responsibility and authority, except where an independent board (such as a utilities commission) has one or more specific functions. In addition to statutory cities, there are home rule charter cities. These cities have the freedom to design their own government and define the powers of their elected and appointed staff by adopting a city charter. These cities should check their charters for details regarding how their government operates. A. Standard plan cities The standard plan statutory city has a city council flint consists of the elected mayor, an elected city clerk, and tlzree (sometimes five) elected councilmembers. The treasurer is also an elected position, but is not a member of the council. In some cities, the clerk and treasurer positions may be combined into one elected position. There are 130 standard plan cities in Minnesota. In 1967, all standard plan cities were required to assume the Plan A form by Jan. 1, 1970, unless the voters rejected Plan A between May 4, 1967, and Jan. 1, 1970. Cities operating under Plan A or Plan B may choose to revert to the Standard plan if the voters approve of it at an election. Standard plan cities may abandon the standard plan form only by -going to another form of city government: Plan A, Plan B, or by adopting a home rule charter. B. Plan A cities The Plan A city council consists of the elected mayor and four (sometimes six) eiected councilmembers, The city clerk and treasurer are appointed offices and neither is a member of the council. In some cities, the clerk and treasurer position may be combined into one appointed position. Like standard plan cities, all Plan A statutory cities operate with weak mayor-councils. Plan A statutory cities are the most common type of city found in Minnesota. Of the 853 cities in Minnesota, 600 are Plan A. In order to become a Plan A city, the voters must approve the change at an election. The council may decide on its own to hold an election on this question. An election must be held if a valid petition is submitted asking that tl~e question be put to the voters. In order to be valid, the petition must meet BOTH of the following criteria: 10 Leabme of Minnesota Cities -56-