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RELEVANT LINKS: <br /> Citywide or neighborhood committees, special--project-review committees, <br /> and even block organizations are some of the committees cropping up in <br /> many cities. In many cases, the council has formed or encouraged these <br /> citizen committees. The committees have saved time and have made <br /> contributions that could only occur through citizen participation. <br /> Council members have found that ignoring citizen concerns can result in <br /> their removal from office at the next election, or in the defeat of a program <br /> or activity as a result of citizen opposition. <br /> Although city officials cannot, in most cases, delegate decision-making <br /> authority to citizen groups,they can use citizens in advisory roles. This <br /> technique only works,however, if the council listens to the advice. If the <br /> q y <br /> council does not follow the advice of the committee, it should give <br /> understandable reasons for taking other action. <br /> When a council forms a citizen--advisory body, it should also establish the <br /> ground rules for its activities. The council should also stress that in the <br /> absence of clear statutory authority to delegate responsibility, the council <br /> must,by law, make the final decisions. State law allows, and in some <br /> cases requires, city councils to delegate decision-making power to certain <br /> independent boards and commissions. <br /> A. Independent citizen boards and commissions <br /> A.G.Op.624a-3(Nov.2, The amount of discretionary power the council can give to independent <br /> 1998).A.G.Op. 1047(July <br /> 8 1977.A.G.o . 1�D1-a citizen boards and commissions varies. Absent specific statutory or charter <br /> p <br /> (Sept.15,1950).A.G.op. authority, local governing bodies may not delegate their discretionary <br /> 1001-a(Aug.27, 1957). <br /> See Mueh iing u.School Dist. powers and duties to other persons or bodies, including independent <br /> No.31,224 Minn.432,28 N. <br /> citizen boards and commissions. <br /> w.2d 655(Minn. 1947). <br /> Minneapolis Gas Light Co. <br /> V. City of Minneapolis,36 <br /> Minn.159,30 N.W.450 <br /> (Minn. 1886). <br /> Minn.5tat.§412.621. In Plan B cities,with the exception of civil--service boards,there shall be <br /> no independent administrative board or commission, except for the <br /> purpose of administering a function jointly with another city or political <br /> subdivision. The council itself shall perform the duties and exercise the <br /> powers of the board of health, and shall govern and administer the library, <br /> parks, and utilities as fully as any other municipal function. The council <br /> may, however, create boards or commissions to advise the council with <br /> respect to any municipal function or activity, or to investigate any subject <br /> of interest to the city. <br /> The statutes specifically authorize various independent boards and <br /> commissions in other statutory cities. <br /> F <br /> League of Minnesota Cities Handbook for Minnesota Cities 6f712022 <br /> Chapter fi Page�9 <br /> Elected Officials and Council Structure and Role <br />