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MiJm. Stat. §§ 412.02, <br />subd 1,412.191, subd. <br /> <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.572, <br />subd. I <br /> <br />Minn Stat. § 412.571, <br />subds 4,.5 <br /> <br />Part I. Introduction <br /> <br />Whether organized under statute or home rule charter, the city council has <br />to make important decisions about how it will distribute responsibilities to <br />a variety of offices. The challenge in structuring any government is <br />achieving the appropriate balance between the elected leadership, whb <br />represent the voters, and professional management. <br /> <br />This memo discusses the similarities and differences between the city <br />clerk, city administrator, and city manager positions. !n addition, it outlines <br />the duties and responsibilities of each position and describes the different <br />forms of government under which these positions exist. <br /> <br />Part II.. Types of cities. <br />Minnesota has two ba§ic types of cities: statutory cities, which operate <br />under the statutory city code; and home rule charter cities, which operate <br />under a local charter. Statutory cities may choose fi'om three forms of <br />government organization: Standard Plan statutory cities, Plan A statutory <br />cities, and Plan B statutory cities. <br /> <br />Most statutory cities in Minnesota have weak mayor-councils. This means <br />tile mayor~has all the powers and duties ofa councihnember itl addition to <br />those of mayor. The council as a Whole retains ultimate administrative and <br />legislative responsibility and authority, except where an independent board, <br />such as a utilities commission, has one or more specific functions. <br /> <br />In contrast to statutory cities, home rule charter cities define the powers.of <br />their elected and appointed staff through their city charters. Home rule <br />charter cities should consult their charters to determine the specific powers <br />the city possesses. <br /> <br />A. Standard Plan cities <br /> <br />The Standard Plan city has a city council consisting of the elected mayor, <br />an elected city clerk, and three or five elected councilmembers. The <br />Standard Plan city operates with a weak mayor-council. The treasurer is <br />also an elected position, but is not a member'ofthe council. The clerk and <br />treasurer positions may also be combined into one elected position. There <br />are 117 Standard Plan cities in Minnesota. <br /> <br />In 1967, all Standard Plan cities were required to assume tile Plan A form <br />by Jail. 1, 1970, unless the voters rejected Plan A between May 4, 1967, <br />and Jan. 1, 1970! <br /> <br />Cities operating under Plan A or Plm~ B may choose to revert to the <br />Standard Plan if the voters approve it at an election. <br /> <br />t, ity .Mlminislration <br /> <br />-31- <br /> <br /> <br />