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A.G. Op. 471-F (Oct. 24, 1961); <br />Jewetl Belting Co. v. Htlage of <br />Bertlm, 9l Minn, 9 (1903). <br /> <br />Sec Handbook, Chapter 6 for <br />further information on boards <br />and commissions. <br /> <br />Delegated duties must be ministerial. The courts will not permit the <br />delegation of legislative discretion. The duties the council may delegate <br />include the supervision of workers, accounting, preparation of reports, <br />factual determinations, and execution of council policies. The administrator <br />may not hire and fire employees or make purchases and let contracts unless <br />the council sets specific standards governing these actions. <br /> <br />The city should have a detailed job description for this and all positions. <br />Several small cities may also agree to share the benefits of a professional <br />administrator by sharing the financial burden as well as the time of the <br />administrator. <br /> <br />Except in Plan B and in some charter cities, department heads are directly <br />responsible to the'council. While they may make decisions of a daily, <br />routine nature, the council must decide all questions of major policy. <br /> <br />In fulfilling their supervisory functions, administrative officials should <br />oversee long-term and short-term departmental planning, organize and <br />direct the workload of employees, report to the council and the general <br />public, and prepare and execute the budget. <br /> <br />2. Other offices <br /> <br />There are a number of other types of offices that city councils create to <br />serve the needs of the city. These offices will var3, in their responsibilities <br />from city to city. <br /> <br />3. Boards and commissions <br /> <br />Many cities have various boards and commissions that advise the council in <br />particular areas. These boards and commissions are generally established <br />by ordinances that specify the board's responsibilities and. duties. Some <br />boards and commissions may have specific powers given to them by state <br />statute. <br /> <br />4. City attorney <br />Although not a required position, most cities hire an attorney who acts as <br />the legal advisor to the city council. The need for cities to make contracts, <br />write and pass ordinances, deal with employment issues and land-use <br />matters, as well as the potential for litigation in a variety of different areas, <br />makes a good working relationship with a city attorney very important. <br /> <br />8-[2 <br /> <br />This chapter last revised 12/[4/2004 <br /> <br />HAN'DBOOK FOR M1NNmcSOTA CFr[ES <br /> <br />-72- <br /> <br /> <br />