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GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION <br />~GE 4 <br /> <br />Statutory cities derive all their powers from state law'. In the absence of actual or <br />implied statutory authorization, these cities do not have powers to undertake <br />anything. <br /> <br />Home rule charter cities obtain their powers from a home rule charter, although <br />many state statutes grant or limit the powers of charter cities. Charter cities can <br />exercise any powers outlined by their locally adopted charters as long as those <br />powers do not conflict with state law. <br /> <br />FORMS OF CITY ORGANIZATION <br /> <br />Cities in Minnesota have used four administrative patterns or formats in the internal <br />organization of their cities. They are: weak mayor-council, strong mayor-council, council- <br />manager, and commission. .. <br /> <br />· Weak mayor-council <br /> <br />The weak mayor-council form is by far the most common plan m Minnesota for both <br />statutory cities and home rule charter cities. Under this form, administratiye <br />legislative authoritv is the ultimate _.res_~. onaj.b_i!i~_of the counci!_ unl~.xs <br />created an independent board (such as a utilities commission) to na~lu,e one or more <br />specific functions. <br /> <br />The mayor's powers are no greater than those of any other member of the council with the <br />exception of the mayor's role as the presiding officer at council meetings and several <br />minor duties. No individual councitmember hold specific administrative powers. <br /> <br />Strong mayor-council <br /> <br />The strong mayor-council form may only be used by home rule charter cities. Only four <br />charter cities in Minnesota (Duluth, Northfield, St. Cloud, St. Paul) currently use this <br />format. Under this plan, the mayor, who is not a councilmember is responsible for the <br />operation of all administrative agencies and departments in the city. In a conventional <br />strong mayor-council plan, the mayor: can appoint and remove subordinates subject to civil <br />service provisions where applicable; can veto council legislation subject to the right of the <br />council to override the veto; and prepares and administers a budget that the council <br />approves. Proponents of this plan often argue that it gives local government the leadership <br />necessary to make things happen. <br /> <br />-65- <br /> <br /> <br />