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LM C <br /> HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES <br /> LEAGUE of <br /> MINNESOTA Chapter 6 <br /> CITIESElected <br /> and Council <br /> StructureRole <br /> and <br /> Understand the council's role in city governance, including eligibility for office, council powers <br /> versus individual council member roles, and delegation of council power. Learn about the special <br /> roles of the mayor and clerk and use of both independent and advisory boards and commissions. <br /> RELEVANT LINKS, l. Elected officials in general <br /> The cornerstone of city government in Minnesota is the elected city <br /> council. The council fashions the policies that determine a community's <br /> present and future well-being. Because people loop to their local <br /> government for leadership, much of the responsibility for community <br /> development falls on the shoulders of city council members. <br /> Minn.Stat.§412.02,subd. 1. Although not all statutory cities have the same elective offices, all must <br /> Minn.Stat.§412,191,subd. <br /> 1 have a mayor and at least three council members. whether a statutory city <br /> elects other officers depends on several factors, including the form of <br /> government under which it operates. <br /> See Handbook,Die statutory The mayor is a member of the council in statutory cities and the clerk is a <br /> City for more information . <br /> about the different forms of member of the council in Standard Plan cities. The mayor and clerk in all <br /> statutory city government. cities have some special duties. This chapter discusses the duties of these <br /> positions and the council's role in city governance. <br /> For home rule charter cities, the city's charter specifies the type and <br /> number of elected officials. <br /> A. Eligibilityfor office <br /> Minn.coast.art.V1I,§6. The Minnesota Constitution and state statutes set the qualifications for <br /> Minn.Coast.art.1,§§3, elective office. To hold elective city office individuals must be qualified <br /> 4.Minn.Stat.�241.014. ty 3 q <br /> Minn.Stat.§204s.06.See city voters, at least 21 years of age on the date of taking office, U.S. <br /> also,Jude u.Ejdahl,296 Minn.200,207 N.W.2d 715 citizens, and residents of the city for at Least 30 days before the election. <br /> (1973). An individual who has been convicted of a felony under either state or <br /> Minn.Const.art.V1I,§ 1. <br /> federal law cannot hold elective office in Minnesota unless the <br /> individual's civil rights have been restored. <br /> Minn.Stat.§351.02(6). If an individual fails to qualify for elective office within the allotted time, <br /> Minn.Stat.§412.02,subd. <br /> 2a. the citycouncil may,b resolution, declare a vacancy and proceed to fill it <br /> y y <br /> by appointment.pointment. Individuals appointed to fill vacancies must also satisfy <br /> the requirements for elective office. <br /> This material is provided as genera[information and is not a substitute for legal advice.Consult your attorney for advice conceming specific situations. <br /> 145 University Ave.West www.imc.org 6/7/2022 <br /> Saint Paul,MN 55103-2044 (451)281-1200 or(800)925-1122 2022 All Rights Reserved <br />