HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/03/21 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Charter Commission - RegularAGENDA
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
March 21, 2017
7:00 p.m. – City Hall Westwood Room
The mission of the Charter Commission is to evaluate and propose changes which are
warranted in the city Home Rule Charter as provided by State Statute. Home Rule Charters
are, in effect local constitutions passed by local voters and cannot conflict with state laws.
Commissioners are appointed by the Chief Judge of Hennepin County District Court and
serve on a volunteer basis. (Commissioners are not appointed by City Council.) Staff
provides assistance to prepare agendas and performs other administrative duties.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call & Attendance
a.Requests for Excused Absences
b. Introduction of Members and Reappointments
3. Approval of Minutes – February 22, 2017 Charter Commission Meeting
4. Old Business
a.Update on Proposed Charter Amendment - verbal
5. New Business
a.Election of Officers
b. Proposed Annual Report for District Court – Year 2016
c.Legislative Update – Gary Carlson
6. Future Meetings
7. Communications
8. Adjourn
For more information or questions regarding this agenda,
please contact Melissa Kennedy at 952- 928-2840
or Chair Lynne Carper at 952-928-9846.
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.
To make arrangements, please call Administrative Services at 952-924-2525.
03/15/17
NAME / title / date appt ADDRESS/ZIP CONTACT INFO TERM EXPIRES
Anderson, Maren
(1/12/2015)
7613 Minnetonka Blvd (W) 612-673-3859
(C) 651-238-4843
marenruzek@gmail.com
1/12/2019
Beckstrand, Jon (JC)
(2/6/2008)
4386 Wooddale Ave S
55424
(W)763-302-7190
(C)612-443-5775
jbeckstrand@comcast.net
1/27/2020
Brimeyer, Jim
(02/05/2010)
1306 Westwood Hills Rd
55426
(W)952-797-0730
brimgroup@aol.com
1/31/2018
Carlson, Gary
(10/12/2006)
4018 Quentin Ave S
55416
(H)952-926-6968
(W)651-281-1255
(C)612-791-8783
garyncarlson@comcast.net
1/12/2019
Carper, Irving Lynne - Chair
(4/29/2003)
4010 Highwood Rd
55416
(H) 952-928-9846
irving.carper@comcast.net
12/11/2016
de Lambert, James
(1/3/06)
9257 W 22nd Lane
55426
(C)612-750-6680
(W)763-489-3150
jimdelambert@gmail.com
jdelambert@carlsonmccain.com
3/14/2017 – applied
for reappointment
Dwyer, Terry - Secretary
(2/12/2008)
3810 Inglewood Ave S
55416
(H)952-922-8750
terry@dwyermail.net
1/27/2020
Dyer, David
(3/27/14)
2737 Raleigh Ave S
55416
612-345-2198
dyer@post.harvard.edu
davedyer@outlook.com
3/27/2018
Fiderlein, Brian
(3/22/01)
2820 Vernon Ave S.
55416
(H)952-285-5106
(C)952-201-5985
bfiderlein@gmail.com
3/12/2017 – will
not be seeking
reappointment
Flory, Matthew
(3/1/2010)
3244 Edgewood Ave S
55426
(H)952-681-7688
(W)651-255-8190
(C)651-335-8926
livinginlenox@gmail.com
3/22/2018
Gothberg, Ken
(10/10/2006)
3411 Aquila Lane
55426
(H)952-933-2935
(W)612-875-4080
kgothberg@msn.com
6/19/2019
Jarvi, Jr., Ronald
(7/1/2013)
2933 Hampshire Ave
55426
612-384-4510
ronjarvijr@gmail.com
7/1/2017
Maaske, Sara - Vice Chair
(2/13/13)
5911 Oxford St, Apt. 9
55416
612-747-1599
smaaske@hotmail.com
2/13/2017 – applied
for reappointment
Obray, David -
(9/10/2012)
462 Ford Road, Unit 101 507-313-0050
david.obray@gmail.com
9/10/2016 – filed a
request to remove
Solmer, Henry
(3/11/2011)
4717 West 28th St
55416
952-848-0340
hsolmer@comcast.net
3/11/2019
Kennedy, Melissa - Staff
Liaison
5005 Minnetonka Blvd
55416
(W)952-928-2840
mkennedy@stlouispark.org
Charter Commissioner Roster
February 2017
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
February 22, 2017
6:00 p.m. – Westwood Room, City Hall
1. Call to Order
Chair Carper called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
2. Roll Call and Attendance
Members Present: JC Beckstrand, Gary Carlson, Lynne Carper, Jim de Lambert, David Dyer,
Brian Fiderlein, Ken Gothberg, Ron Jarvi, Jr., and Henry Solmer.
Members Absent: Maren Anderson (absence excused), Jim Brimeyer (absence excused), Terry
Dwyer (absence excused), Matthew Flory (absence excused), Sara Maaske (absence excused), and
David Obray
Others Present: Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk (staff liaison)
3. Approval of Minutes
a. March 22, 2016 Charter Commission Meeting
It was moved by Commissioner Beckstrand, seconded by Commissioner Dyer, to approve the
minutes of March 22, 2016. The motion passed 9-0.
4. Old Business - None
5. New Business
a. Proposed Charter Amendments regarding Municipal Primary Elections and
Candidate Filing Requirements
Ms. Kennedy reviewed the staff report that was provided in the Charter Commission agenda
packet. She explained the proposed changes involved eliminating Section 4.03 of the City Charter
related to Primary Elections and amending Section 4.06 to reflect the elimination of the option for
municipal primary elections, adjust the filing period to match the timeframes established in state
law, increase the number of signatures required on a nominating petition, and to increase the filing
fee. She discussed the rationale behind the proposed amendments, citing several concerns raised
by the City Council including: a history of holding primary elections for one office to narrow the
field of candidates from 3 or 4 down to 2, historically low voter turnout at municipal primary
elections, undue burdens placed on candidates to run campaigns for potentially both a primary and
general election, lack of serious candidates filing for municipal offices, cost of holding primary
elections and the devotion of staff resources related to the administration of primary elections. She
noted that the council asked for input from the Charter Commission on the proposed amendments
and for a recommendation on the number of signatures that should be required on a nominating
petition and the cost of the filing fee.
Chair Carper asked Ms. Kennedy to review the timing of the actions that would be required to
amend the Charter.
Ms. Kennedy explained historically amendments to the Charter have been done by ordinance. This
process is regulated by Minnesota Statute 410.12. She stated within 30 days of a recommendation
from the Charter Commission the City Council has to call for a public hearing to consider the
Charter Commission Minutes -2-March 22, 2016
proposed amendment. The public hearing must be held not less than 2 weeks and not more than 4
weeks after notice of the hearing is published. She added that the City of St. Louis Park requires
two readings of an ordinance. The first reading would be held in conjunction with the public
hearing and the second reading would be scheduled for a subsequent regular council meeting. She
noted that the ordinance is only enacted if it receives a unanimous vote of all members of the
council. The ordinance does not take effect until 90 days after passage and publication. Within
60 days of passage and publication a petition requesting a referendum on the ordinance may be
filed with the city clerk. The petition must be signed by at least 2,000 registered voters in the city.
If the requisite petition is filed within the 60-day period, the ordinance does not take effect until it
is approved by the voters at the next general election. Ms. Kennedy noted that in addition to those
deadlines the city would also be required to pass the amendment eliminating the option for
municipal primary elections by April 15 in order to meet statutory notification requirements to
Hennepin County elections and the Secretary of State’s Office. She stated she was working closely
with the City Attorney to establish a timeline that would allow the amendment to be in effect for
the 2017 election cycle.
Commissioner Beckstrand stated he originally had a number of questions and concerns regarding
the proposed amendment, but after a more thorough review of the information and discussions
with family, friends, and the city clerk, he could not find a reason to oppose the proposed
amendments. He explained he did not feel that the city would be losing anything by eliminating
the option for municipal primaries. He clarified that the amendment would not apply to State or
Federal elections.
Chair Carper questioned when the candidate filing period would be if the proposed amendment
was approved.
Ms. Kennedy stated candidate filing would occur August 1-15 if the amendment was in effect for
the 2017 election cycle. She added if the amendment was not in effect for this cycle candidate
filing would occur May 16-May 30. She explained this is one of the questions she and the City
Attorney were still exploring options on given the 60 day petition period and the 90 day effective
date. She stated if the amendment was approved, the 60-day petition period would fall within the
early candidate filing timeframe in May. She noted that although the proposed amendment would
be in effect prior to the candidate filing dates in August, if a petition was filed the ordinance would
not take effect and the city would not have the opportunity to go back and open up the candidate
filing period. She added that if the city attorney and city staff did not feel there was a viable option
to remediate such a situation, the recommendation would likely be that the amendment not take
effect until the next municipal election cycle.
Commissioner Beckstrand questioned if the city could call for a special election and set a candidate
filing period if a petition was filed within the 60-day period.
Ms. Kennedy stated she was not sure if that would fall within the statutory provisions related to
special elections and would discuss the option with the city attorney. She noted moving forward
with the amendment as proposed would not preclude anyone from filing for office, it would simply
push the filing dates back to August.
Commissioner Beckstrand questions if Ms. Kennedy had spoken to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Ms. Kennedy stated she had received direction from the Secretary of State’s Office through the
Hennepin County Deputy Elections Manager.
Charter Commission Minutes -3-March 22, 2016
Commissioner Fiderlein stated he was opposed to the proposed amendment to eliminate the option
for municipal primary elections. He explained he did not see how the proposed amendment would
solve the concerns that were raised by the council. He stated he believes that having the option
for primary elections increases discussion in the community and encourages a more informed
electorate.
Chair Carper stated while he understands Commissioner Fiderlein’s concerns, he feels if a primary
election is held it diverts the city’s resources and the candidates’ resources over a longer period of
time. He explained in the past several municipal elections there has been an overall lack of interest
in terms of the number of candidates filing for office and the number of people voting at the
primary. He noted eliminating the primary would also be a first step towards potentially switching
to the Ranked Choice Voting method in the future.
Commissioner Beckstrand stated he shared many of Commissioner Fiderlein’s opinions and was
very cautious about making amendments to the Charter. He explained he thought the open election
that was held in 2015 for Mayor would have drawn more candidates and more interest from the
public, and that did not happen.
Commissioner Dyer stated he initially had similar concerns regarding elimination of the primary,
but after seeing the historical data regarding the number of candidates filing for office and voter
turn-out, he would support the proposed amendment because it may result in the public being more
interested in serving in public office and more serious candidates filing for office.
It was moved by Chair Carper, seconded by Commissioner Beckstrand, to move forward with the
proposed amendments to Chapter 4, Sections 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, and 4.08 of the St. Louis
Park Home Rule Charter and to direct the city clerk to prepare the recommendation of the Charter
Commission for presentation to the City Council in the form of an ordinance amendment. The
motion passed 8-1 (Commissioner Fiderlein opposed).
Chair Carper asked for discussion and a recommendation regarding the proposed changes to
Section 4.05 related to the number of signatures required on a nominating petition and the filing
fee. He asked Ms. Kennedy to review the current candidate filing requirements.
Ms. Kennedy stated candidates are required to pay a $20 filing fee and to submit a nominating
petition with at least 15 signatures from registered electors qualified to vote for the office on the
petition. She noted the changes suggested in the staff report were merely suggested as a starting
point for further discussion.
Commissioner Dyer suggested increasing the filing fee to $25 and increasing the number of
signatures required to 35 or 40. He stated that increasing the number of signatures may result in
more serious candidates filing for office.
Commissioner Solmer suggested increasing the number of signatures to 100 and increasing the
filing fee to $50. He noted his suggested filing fee was a compromise because he could make an
argument for increasing it further. He stated candidates should have to get out into the community
and put forth more effort to demonstrate they are truly invested in running for office, and it takes
more effort to gather signatures.
Charter Commission Minutes -4-March 22, 2016
Chair Carper agreed with Commissioner Solmer’s comments and stated he did not think a $50
filing fee would be prohibitive to people filing for office.
Commissioner Beckstrand agreed that it took more effort to gather signatures than to write a check.
He cautioned the commission that raising costs will typically raise more ire from the general
public.
Commissioner Gothberg questioned if city staff had to verify the signatures on each petition filed.
Ms. Kennedy stated her staff is responsible for verifying that the individuals signing each petition
are registered voters qualified to vote for the office and that they have not signed more than one
petition for that office.
The commissioners discussed not increasing the signatures by so much that the verification task
became overly burdensome on staff resources.
Commissioner Jarvi suggested increasing the number of signatures to 50 and to leave the filing fee
at $20.
Commissioners Fiderlein, Dyer, and Gothberg concurred with Commissioner Jarvi’s suggestion.
Chair Carper stated there seemed to be a consensus to focus on increasing the number of signatures
rather than the changing the filing fee.
Commissioner Carlson suggested that the recommendation to the council reflect that the Charter
Commission chose to increase the number of signatures in lieu of fee increases to ensure that
running for office did not become cost prohibitive for potential candidates.
It was moved by Chair Carper, seconded by Commissioner Fiderlein, to move forward with an
amendment to Chapter 4, Section 4.06 of the St. Louis Park Home Rule Charter to increase the
number of signatures required on a nominating petition from fifteen (15) to fifty (50) and to direct
the city clerk to prepare the recommendation of the Charter Commission for presentation to the
City Council in the form of an ordinance amendment. The motion passed 9-0.
Ms. Kennedy reviewed the Charter Commission’s recommendations and reiterated that the
effective date of the amendment may be delayed until the next election cycle if the city attorney
and city staff are not able to find a viable option to move forward within the statutory timeline
requirements.
Commissioner Carlson stated he would still support moving forward with the amendments even if
they did not take effect for the 2017 election cycle.
The Charter Commission agreed with Commissioner Carlson, stating they would also support
moving forward with their proposed recommendations to amend the Charter.
6. Future Meetings
Ms. Kennedy stated the next meeting of the Charter Commission is scheduled for March 21, 2017
at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Westwood Conference Room on the 3rd floor of City
Hall.
Charter Commission Minutes -5-March 22, 2016
Commissioner Beckstrand informed the Commission that he would be traveling and unable to
attend the meeting on March 21. He requested that his absence be excused.
7. Communications - None
8. Adjournment
Chair Carper adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by: Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk
ST. LOUIS PARK CHARTER COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT
Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2016
The St. Louis Park Charter Commission is active and met once in 2016. The Commission did
not make any changes to the City’s Charter in 2016 and deemed the existing provisions to be
adequate.
Charter Review
The Charter Commission held elections for officers at its annual meeting on March 22, 2016.
Commissioner Lynne Carper was elected to the position of Chair, Commissioner Sara Maaske,
was elected to the position of Vice Chair, and Commissioner Terry Dwyer was elected to the
position of Secretary.
Charter Commissioners appointed in 2016:
Name Date Appointed Term Expiration Position
Jon C. Beckstrand April 28, 2016 January 27, 2020 Reappointment
Terry Dwyer June 20, 2016 January 27, 2020 Reappointment
Respectfully Submitted: Lynne Carper, Chair Melissa Kennedy, Staff Liaison
4010 Highwood Rd City of St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park MN 55416 5005 Minnetonka Blvd
952-928-9846 St. Louis Park MN 55416
952-928-2840
Home
Rule
Charter
Revised June 15, 2012
PART I
HOME RULE CHARTER*
*Editor's note--Printed herein is the Home Rule Charter of the City of St. Louis Park, as
adopted by the city council on December 7, 1954, and effective on January 7, 1955, as revised. A
complete list of amendments is located in Appendix B. Amendments to the Home Rule Charter, as
revised, are indicated by parenthetical history notes following amended provisions. The absence of
a history note indicates that the provision remains unchanged from the original Charter. Obvious
misspellings have been corrected without notation. For stylistic purposes, a uniform system of
headings, number style, catchlines and citations to state statutes has been used. Additions made for
clarity are indicated by brackets.
Chapter 1. Name, Boundaries, Powers and Construction
Sec. 1.00. Preamble.
Sec. 1.01. Name and Boundaries.
Sec. 1.02. Powers of the City.
Sec. 1.03. City to Succeed to Rights and Obligations of Former Municipality.
Sec. 1.04. Application of General Laws.
Sec. 1.05. Charter a Public Act.
Chapter 2. Government and Officers
Sec. 2.01. Council-Manager Plan.
Sec. 2.02. Boards.
Sec. 2.03. Elected Officers.
Sec. 2.04. Disqualification for Appointive Office.
Sec. 2.05. Vacancies in the Council.
Sec. 2.06. The Mayor.
Sec. 2.07. Compensation.
Sec. 2.08. Investigation of City Affairs.
Sec. 2.09. Interference with Administration.
Chapter 3. Procedure of Council
Sec. 3.01. Council Meetings.
Sec. 3.02. Secretary of the Council.
Sec. 3.03. Rules of Procedure and Quorum.
Sec. 3.04. Ordinance, Resolutions and Motions.
Sec. 3.05. Procedure on Ordinances.
Sec. 3.06. Emergency Ordinances.
Sec. 3.07. Signing and Publication of Ordinances and Publication of Minutes, Resolutions, and
Administrative Rules and Regulations.
Sec. 3.08. When Ordinances and Resolutions Take Effect.
Sec. 3.09. Amendment and Repeal of Ordinances.
Chapter 4. Nominations and Elections
Sec. 4.01. General Election Laws to Apply.
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHT:1 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
Chapter 4. Nominations and Elections (continued)
Sec. 4.02. Regular Municipal Election.
Sec. 4.03. Primary Elections.
Sec. 4.04. Special Elections.
Sec. 4.05. Judges of Election.
Sec. 4.06. Nomination by Petition.
Sec. 4.07. Nomination Petitions.
Sec. 4.08. Canvass of Elections and Taking of Office.
Chapter 5. Administration of City Affairs
Sec. 5.01. The City Manager.
Sec. 5.02. Powers and Duties of the City Manager.
Sec. 5.03. Departments of Administration.
Sec. 5.04. Other Officers.
Sec. 5.05. Purchases and Contracts.
Sec. 5.06. Contracts--How Let.
Chapter 6. Taxation and Finance
Sec. 6.01. Council to Control Finances.
Sec. 6.02. Power of Taxation.
Sec. 6.03. Board of Equalization.
Sec. 6.04. Preparation of Annual Budget.
Sec. 6.05. Passage of the Budget.
Sec. 6.06. Enforcement of the Budget.
Sec. 6.07. Alterations in the Budget.
Sec. 6.08. Emergency Appropriation in Budget.
Sec. 6.09. Levy and Collection of Taxes.
Sec. 6.10. Tax Settlement with County.
Sec. 6.11. Disbursements--How Made.
Sec. 6.12. Funds.
Sec. 6.13. Receipts to go to City Treasurer.
Sec. 6.14. Accounts and Reports.
Sec. 6.15. Bonds and Debt Limit.
Sec. 6.16. Form and Repayment of Bonds.
Sec. 6.17. Debt and Tax Anticipation Certificates.
Sec. 6.18. Bonds Outside the Debt Limit.
Chapter 7. Public Improvements and Special Assessments
Sec. 7.01. The City Plan.
Sec. 7.02. Enforcement of City Plan.
Sec. 7.03. Public Improvements and Special Assessments.
Sec. 7.04. Local Improvements.
Sec. 7.05. Public Works--How Performed.
Chapter 8. Eminent Domain
Sec. 8.01. Power to Acquire Property.
Sec. 8.02. Proceedings in Acquiring Property.
Sec. 8.03. Payment of Award.
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHT:2 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
Chapter 8. Eminent Domain (continued)
Sec. 8.04. City May Abandon Proceedings.
Sec. 8.05. City May Acquire Entire Plant.
Chapter 9. Franchises
Sec. 9.01. Definition of Franchise.
Sec. 9.02. Franchise Ordinances.
Chapter 10. Public Ownership and Operation of Utilities
Sec. 10.01. Construction, Acquisition and Operation of Utilities.
Sec. 10.02. Rates and Finances.
Sec. 10.03. Purchase in Bulk.
Sec. 10.04. City to Pay for Services.
Sec. 10.05. Lease of Plant.
Sec. 10.06. Public Utility--How Sold.
Chapter 11. Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 11.01. Sale of Real Property.
Sec. 11.02. Vacation of Streets.
Sec. 11.03. Damage Suits.
Sec. 11.04. Civil Service Commission.
Sec. 11.05. Civil Penalties.
Chapter 12. Code of Ethics
Sec. 12.01. Declaration of Policy.
Sec. 12.02. Definitions.
Sec. 12.03. Organization of Personal Campaign Committees.
Sec. 12.04. Contributions.
Sec. 12.05. Use of Contributions.
Sec. 12.06. Campaign Reports.
Sec. 12.07. Records.
Sec. 12.08. Notice of Failure to File.
Sec. 12.09. Termination Report.
Sec. 12.10. Distribution.
Sec. 12.11. Penalty.
Sec. 12.12. Filing of Information.
Sec. 12.13. Family Interests.
Sec. 12.14. Exclusions.
Sec. 12.15. Time of Required Filing.
Sec. 12.16. Records.
Sec. 12.17. Penalty.
Sec. 12.18. Personal Financial Conflicts of Public Officials.
Sec. 12.19. Financial Conflicts of Associates of Public Officials; Contracts and Transactions Voidable.
Sec. 12.20. Gifts and Favors.
Sec. 12.21. Use of City Equipment and Facilities.
Sec. 12.22. Distribution.
Appendix A. Certificate of Commission
Appendix B. List of Amendments
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHT:3 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
CHAPTER 1. NAME, BOUNDARIES, POWERS AND CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.00. Preamble.
Human freedom and human rights are indivisible and the recognition of equality of all people
is indispensable in the administration of a just government. Written documents which govern our
nation and state clearly proclaim the rights and responsibilities of the people in making these
freedoms possible. It is proper that cities do also, for human rights denied to one are denied to all.
We, the people of St. Louis Park, therefore do hereby declare that equality of rights under the law
shall not be abridged or denied by the City of St. Louis Park on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, gender, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, age or status
with regard to public assistance or disability. The following Charter is a declaration of the policy
of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Section 1.01. Name and Boundaries.
Upon the taking effect of this Charter, the Village of St. Louis Park in the County of Hennepin
and State of Minnesota shall become a city under the name of the City of St. Louis Park, and shall
continue to be a municipal corporation with boundaries the same as they now are established or as
they may hereafter be established.
Section 1.02. Powers of the City.
The City of St. Louis Park:
shall have perpetual existence;
may sue and be sued;
may use and alter its seal at pleasure;
may enter into binding contracts;
may take by purchase, condemnation, gift, devise or otherwise and hold lease, sell and
convey all such real and personal property as its purposes may require, or the transaction
of its business may render convenient, within or without the limits of the City;
may acquire, construct, own, lease and operate public utilities and render public service of
every kind;
may grant franchises or licenses for the services which shall be rendered by any owner or
operator of a franchise or license;
may assess, levy and collect taxes for general or special purposes on all subjects or objects
which the City may lawfully tax;
may borrow money on the faith and credit of the City and issue bonds or certificates of
indebtedness. The indebtedness may be secured by granting a security interest in public
utilities or other property owned by the City or any income generated therefrom;
may appropriate the money of the City for lawful purposes;
may provide for, construct, regulate and maintain public works and local improvements;
may levy and collect assessments against real property within the City for local
improvements and services;
may license and regulate persons, corporations and associations engaged in any
occupation, trade or business;
Supp. No. 18 (03-09) CHT:4 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
may define, prohibit, abate and suppress all things detrimental to the health, morals,
comfort, safety, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants of the City and all nuisances
and causes thereof,
may regulate the construction, height and materials used in all buildings and the
maintenance and occupancy thereof,
may regulate and control the use of the streets and other public places; may make and
enforce local police, sanitary and other regulations;
may pass ordinances for maintaining and promoting the peace, good government and
welfare of the City and for the performance of all the functions thereof;
shall have all the powers possessed by municipal corporations at common law;
shall have, retain and may exercise all powers, functions, rights and privileges heretofore
possessed by the Village of St. Louis Park;
may exercise such powers beyond its corporate limits as may be necessary for the effective
exercise of any powers granted herein as authorized by law;
and in addition thereto, the City of St. Louis Park shall have and exercise all powers,
functions, rights and privileges exercised by, or which are incidental to, or inherent in,
municipal corporations and are not denied to it by the constitution or general laws of the
State of Minnesota.
The enumeration of powers herein shall not be construed to limit or restrict the powers granted
in general terms. No specific power granted in this Charter shall be construed to limit or restrict
the powers granted in this section. In addition to the powers herein and hereafter granted, the City
of St. Louis Park shall have power to deal with all matters of municipal concern and have complete
self-government in harmony with and subject to the constitution and laws of the State of
Minnesota.
Section 1.03. City to Succeed to Rights and Obligations of Former Municipality.
The City of St. Louis Park shall remain vested with and continue to have, hold and enjoy all
property, property rights, rights of action and rights of every kind, privileges and immunities
belonging to or pertaining to the Village of St. Louis Park and shall be subject to all liabilities
which exist against said City on the effective date of this Charter.
Section 1.04. Application of General Laws.
All general laws and statutes of the state applicable to all cities operating under home rule
charters, are applicable to cities of the same class as the City of St. Louis Park and shall be
construed as supplementary to the provisions of this Charter. The City shall have all powers and
authority granted by the laws of the state to municipalities to acquire property or exercise authority
or powers beyond its corporate limits. All powers conferred by this section shall be exercised in
conformance with this Charter and such authority and power shall not authorize the City to incur
any bonded debt in any other manner than authorized by this Charter.
Section 1.05. Charter a Public Act.
This Charter shall be a public act and need not be pleaded or provided in any case. It shall take
effect thirty (30) days from and after its adoption by the voters (January 7, 1955).
Supp. No. 18 (03-09) CHT:5 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
CHAPTER 2. GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS
Section 2.01. Council-Manager Plan.
The form of government established by this Charter shall be known as the "Council-Manager
Plan." All discretionary powers of the City, both legislative and executive, shall vest in and be
exercised by the City Council. It shall have complete control over the City administration, but shall
exercise this control exclusively through the City Manager and shall not itself attempt to perform
any administrative work.
Section 2.02. Boards.
The Council shall itself be, and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of all local
boards and commissions, except as herein otherwise provided. It may, however, by ordinance
create commissions with advisory powers to investigate any subject of interest to the municipality.
The Council shall encourage members of its diverse citizenry to become members of all
commissions and boards. The City shall establish standard procedures to facilitate these efforts.
Section 2.03. Elected Officers.
The Council shall be composed of a Mayor and six (6) Councilmembers who shall be qualified
voters. The Mayor shall be elected at-large for a four-year term. Two (2) Councilmembers shall be
elected at-large for terms of four (4) years each. The At Large seats shall be separate elective
offices designated as At Large A and At Large B.
A Councilmember shall be elected for a four-year term from each of the City's four (4)
separate wards. The Councilmember elected from a ward must be a resident of such ward. Should
that member cease to be a resident of such ward, that member is disqualified from further service,
and there then exists a vacancy in the office of Councilmember from said ward; excepting that a
change in ward boundaries during the term of office shall not disqualify the member from serving
out the term.
The term of Mayor and of each Councilmember shall begin on the first (1st) regularly
scheduled meeting of the new year following a regularly scheduled municipal election, as specified
in Section 4.02 of this Charter, and shall end when a successor has been duly elected and has
qualified but not before the last day of the calendar year in which a municipal election has been
held. The Council shall be the judge of the election of its members.
The City shall be divided into four (4) separate wards, the boundaries of which shall be
established from time to time by ordinance adopted by the Council based on findings of the
Council that the wards so established are of as near equal size in both population and area as
practicable. After each decennial census of the United States, the Council shall redetermine ward
boundaries. If the Council shall fall to do so within two (2) years after the official certification of
the decennial census, no further remuneration shall be paid to the Mayor or Councilmembers until
the wards of the City are redetermined as required by this Charter.
Oath of Office. Every officer of the City shall, before entering upon the duties of this office,
take and subscribe an oath of office in substantially the following form: " I do solemnly swear (or
affirm) to support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Minnesota and to
discharge faithfully the duties devolving upon me as (Mayor or Councilmember) of this City to the
best of my judgment and ability."
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Section 2.04. Disqualification for Appointive Office.
No member of the Council shall be appointed City Manager or Acting City Manager, nor shall
any member hold any other paid municipal office or be employed by the City during the term as a
member of the Council. No former Councilmember shall be employed by the City, appointed to
any paid position of the City or establish any independent contractual arrangement with the City
other than Mayor or Councilmember for a period of one (1) year after leaving office.
Section 2.05. Vacancies in the Council.
A vacancy in the Council shall be deemed to exist if any person elected thereto fails to qualify
on or before the date of the second (2nd) regular meeting of the new Council. A vacancy shall also
be deemed to exist due to the death, resignation, removal from office, removal from the City,
removal of a Ward Councilmember from his/her ward, continuous absence from the City for more
than three (3) months, or conviction of a felony of any such person whether before or after his/her
qualification, or the failure of any Councilmember without good cause to attend any Council
meeting for a period of three (3) consecutive months. In each such case, the Council shall promptly
by resolution declare a vacancy of the remainder of the term and appoint an eligible person to fill
the vacancy unless the vacancy occurs within ninety (90) days of the next regularly scheduled City
or State election. In the latter case, the Council shall appoint an eligible person who shall serve
until the following year's regularly scheduled election. The term of the appointed person shall
extend to the first (1st) regularly scheduled Council meeting of a new year following a regularly
scheduled City or State election. The Council shall call a special election concurrently with the
next regularly scheduled City or State election for the purpose of electing an eligible person to fill
the remainder, if any, of the unexpired term created by a vacancy.
Section 2.06. The Mayor.
The Mayor shall be the presiding officer of the Council, except that the Mayor Pro Tem shall
be Mayor in case of the Mayor's disability, absence from the City, or in the case of vacancy in the
office of Mayor until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Mayor shall vote as a member of
the Council. The Mayor shall exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred or imposed
upon the Mayor by this Charter, the ordinances of the City and laws of the State. The Mayor shall
be recognized as the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the
purpose of serving civil process, and by the governor for the purposes of martial law.
Section 2.07. Compensation.
(a) The Council shall set and may increase or decrease the salaries of the Mayor and
Councilmembers in a reasonable manner by ordinance; provided, however, that no such
ordinance shall be adopted increasing or decreasing any such salary until a public hearing
has been held thereon after publication of a notice setting forth a summary of the proposed
ordinance and the time and place of the hearing in the official newspaper at least one (1)
week in advance of such hearing. No such ordinance increasing or decreasing any such
salary shall become effective before the first (1st) day in December following the next
municipal election or such later date as is fixed in the ordinance. If within thirty (30) days
after approval of such ordinance increasing or decreasing any such salary, a petition asking
for a referendum on such ordinance is signed by registered voters equal in number to
fifteen percent (15%) of those who voted at the last regular municipal election is filed with
the City Clerk, such ordinance shall not go into effect until it is first approved by a
majority of those voting thereon at a regular or special City election.
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(b) When authorized by the Council, its members shall be reimbursed for their reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with the City's business.
(c) The City Manager and all subordinate officers and employees of the City shall receive
such reasonable compensation as may be fixed by the Council.
Section 2.08. Investigation of City Affairs.
The Council shall have power to make investigations into the City's affairs including, but not
limited to, neglect, dereliction of duty or waste on the part of any officer or department of the City,
to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and compel the production of books, papers, and other
documentary evidence. The Council may provide for an examination or audit of the accounts of
any officer or department of the City government, or it may direct a survey or research study of
any problem affecting the City or its inhabitants at any time. Each such investigation shall be
authorized by resolution of the Council.
Section 2.09. Interference with Administration.
Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Council and its members shall deal with and control the
administrative services solely through the City Manager, and neither the Council nor any member
thereof shall give orders to any of the administrative personnel of the City, other than the City
Manager, either publicly or privately. If this section is violated by any member of the City Council,
such violation shall result in the public censure by the Council of the offending party, and may, in
addition, result in the imposition of a civil penalty to be paid to the City in an amount equal to one
(1) month's compensation payable by the City to such member. The determination whether any
violation of the provisions of this section has occurred shall be made by the Council upon its own
inquiry and by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all of the Councilmembers except the Councilmember
or members being charged with the violation.
CHAPTER 3. PROCEDURE OF COUNCIL
Section 3.01. Council Meetings.
On the first (1st) regularly scheduled meeting of a new year following a municipal election as
specified in Sections 4.02 and 4.04 of this Charter, the Council shall meet at the City Hall at the
usual time for the holding of Council meetings. At this time, the newly-elected members of the
Council shall assume their duties. Thereafter, the Council shall meet at such times as may be
prescribed by resolution, except that it shall meet at a fixed time not less than once a month. The
Mayor or any three (3) members of the Council may call special meetings of the Council upon at
least twelve (12) hours' notice to each member of the Council. Such notice shall be delivered
personally to each member or be left in a conspicuous place at the residence if no such person be
found there. The presence of any member of the Council at a special meeting shall constitute a
waiver of any formal notice unless the Councilmember appears for the special purpose of objecting
to the holding of such meeting. The Council may provide by ordinance a means by which a
minority of the Councilmembers may compel the attendance of absent members. All meetings of
the Council shall be public and any person shall have access to the minutes and records thereof at
all reasonable times. The Mayor and Councilmembers shall each have one vote.
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Section 3.02. Secretary of the Council.
The Council shall choose a secretary and such other officers and employees as may be
necessary to serve at its meetings. The secretary shall keep minutes of proceedings and such other
records and perform such other duties as may be required by this Charter or the Council. The
Council may designate any official or employee of the City, except the City Manager or a member
of the Council, to act as secretary of the Council.
Section 3.03. Rules of Procedure and Quorum.
The Council shall determine its own rules and order of business, and shall keep a record of its
proceedings. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3.04. Ordinance, Resolutions and Motions.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, all legislation shall be by ordinance. Every
ordinance and resolution shall be presented in writing and read in full at a Council meeting;
provided, however, that the reading of a resolution or an ordinance may be dispensed with by
unanimous consent of all Councilmembers present. All administrative business may be transacted
by ordinary motion. Upon the vote on ordinances, motions and resolutions the ayes and noes shall
be recorded unless the vote is declared unanimous. A majority vote (four) of all of the members of
the Council shall be required for the passage of all ordinances, motions and resolutions except as
otherwise provided in this Charter, the ordinances of the City or the laws of the State of
Minnesota.
Section 3.05. Procedure on Ordinances.
The enacting clause of all ordinances passed by the Council shall be in the words, "The City of
St. Louis Park does ordain." Every ordinance other than emergency ordinances shall have two (2)
public readings in full, except as provided in Section 3.04. At least seven (7) days shall elapse
between the first (1st) reading or waiver thereof and second (2nd) reading or waiver thereof. All
legislation prescribing a penalty for violation thereof shall be enacted in the form of ordinances.
Section 3.06. Emergency Ordinances.
An emergency ordinance is an ordinance necessary for the immediate preservation of the
public peace, health, morals, safety or welfare in which the emergency is defined and declared, and
the ordinance is passed by a vote of at least five (5) members of the Council. No prosecution shall
be based upon the provisions of any emergency ordinance until twenty-four (24) hours after a copy
of the approved emergency ordinance has been filed with the City Clerk and posted in three (3)
conspicuous places in the City or until twenty-four (24) hours after the ordinance has been
published unless the person or entity charged with violation thereof had actual notice of the
passage thereof prior to the act or omission charged. Every emergency ordinance shall
automatically stand repealed on the sixty-first (61st) day following the date on which it was
adopted, but this shall not prevent reenactment of the ordinance in the manner specified in this
section if the emergency still exists. No grant of any franchise shall ever be made by an emergency
ordinance.
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Section 3.07. Signing and Publication of Ordinances and Publication of Minutes, Resolutions,
and Administrative Rules and Regulations.
(a) Official Publications. The Council shall regulate by ordinance, subject to the requirements
of this Charter, the manner in which official publicity shall be given to the holding of
elections, ordinances, resolutions, requests for bids upon contemplated purchases and
contracts, and all other matters whatsoever which require publication either by the
provisions of this Charter or by the laws of Minnesota. It shall annually designate a legal
newspaper of general distribution in the City as the official newspaper of the City. Such
measures and matters required to be published by the laws of this State and this Charter
and such other matters as the Council may deem advisable and in the public interest shall
be published in the official newspaper. Additionally, the Council may, in its discretion,
mail copies of the annual budget, ordinances, resolutions, election notices and such other
measures and matters as it may deem appropriate or post copies upon bulletin boards
located in public places in the City in such number and for such period of time as the
Council may direct in each case. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as
authorizing or attempting to authorize any violation of the constitution or the statutes of
the State in any matter which is of state concern or which is exclusively under State
control.
(b) [Publication regulations.] Every ordinance passed by the Council shall be signed by the
Mayor, or by any other member of the Council, the City Manager, City Attorney and
attested to by the City Clerk, and filed and recorded by the City Clerk in a book kept for
that purpose. The ordinance book shall be preserved as a permanent record of the City. If
the Council determines that publication of the title and a summary of an ordinance would
clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of the ordinance, the Council may direct
that only the title of the ordinance and a summary be published. Such a summary shall
contain a notice that a full printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection at the
office of the City Clerk. Prior to publication, the Council shall approve the text of the
summary and determine that it clearly informs the public of the intent and effect of the
ordinance. Publication of the title and summary shall be deemed to fulfill all legal
publication requirements as completely as if the entire ordinance had been published.
(c) [Publication of resolutions and motions.] All resolutions and motions adopted at each
meeting of the Council may, at the discretion of the Council, be published in full or in part
in the official newspaper of the City.
(d) [Reference method.] Any administrative rule or regulation of any department of the State
of Minnesota affecting the City, any statute of the State of Minnesota, any published code,
specification, or regulation prepared by an official or unofficial organization for general
circulation and use may be adopted and incorporated in an ordinance by reference thereto
by marking a copy "official copy" and filing it for reference and inspection in the City
offices. The publication requirements of this Charter shall be deemed to be fully satisfied
in such cases by use of this reference method.
Section 3.08. When Ordinances and Resolutions Take Effect.
Emergency ordinances adopted as provided in Section 3.06 of this Charter, and ordinances
making the annual tax levy, disbursing money, determining the annual budget, and providing for
local improvements and assessments, shall take effect immediately upon their passage. All other
ordinances enacted by the Council shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the date of their
publication, unless a later effective date is fixed therein. All resolutions shall take effect upon their
passage.
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Section 3.09. Amendment and Repeal of Ordinances.
No ordinance or subsection shall be amended or repealed except by ordinance. Every
ordinance repealing all or part of an ordinance shall refer to the ordinance repealed by ordinance
number, title and date of passage. It shall specify the section or subsection number or numbers
affected. No ordinance or section thereof shall be amended by reference to its title alone. Each
amending ordinance shall set forth in full each section or subsection as amended; provided,
however, that this requirement shall not apply to amendments to zoning ordinances.
(Ord. No. 2365-08, 3-25-09)
CHAPTER 4. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 4.01. General Election Laws to Apply.
Except as hereinafter provided, the general laws of the State of Minnesota pertaining to
registration of voters and the conduct of primary and general elections shall apply for all municipal
elections of such officers as are specified in this Charter. The Council shall, through ordinances
adopted in compliance with such state laws and this Charter, adopt suitable and necessary
regulations for the conduct of such elections.
Section 4.02. Regular Municipal Election.
A regular municipal election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November, 1967, and on the same day every two years thereafter, at such place or places as the
City Council may designate by resolution. The Council may divide the City into as many voting
precincts as it may from time to time deem necessary. Each ward shall constitute at least one (1)
voting precinct and no precinct shall be in more than one ward. At least two (2) weeks' notice shall
be given by the City Clerk of the time and places of holding such election, and of the officers to be
elected by posting a notice thereof in at least one (1) public place in each voting precinct and by
publishing a notice thereof at least once in the official newspaper of the City. Failure to give such
notices shall not invalidate such election.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
Section 4.03. Primary Elections.
The Council shall, whenever three (3) or more candidates have filed for any elective City
office, provide through ordinance or resolution for a primary election to be held for each such
office. The primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in August. At least two (2)
weeks' notice shall be given by the Clerk of the time and places of holding such election, and of
the officers to be elected, by posting a notice thereof in at least one (1) public place in each voting
precinct where a primary election will be held and by publishing a notice thereof at least once in
the official newspaper of the City. Failure to give such notice shall not invalidate such election.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05; Ord. No. 2386-10, 10-6-10)
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Section 4.04. Special Elections.
The Council may by resolution order a special election, fix the time, and provide the means for
holding such special election. Three (3) weeks' published notice shall be given of any special
election. The procedure at such elections shall conform as nearly as possible to that herein
provided for other municipal elections.
Section 4.05. Judges of Election.
The Council shall at least twenty-five (25) days before each municipal election appoint at least
three (3) qualified voters to be judges of election for each precinct.
Section 4.06. Nomination by Petition.
The nomination of elective officers provided for by this Charter shall be by petition. The name
of any nominee shall be printed upon the ballot whenever a petition meeting the requirements
specified in this Charter has been filed on the nominee's behalf with the City Clerk. Such petition
shall be signed by at least fifteen (15) currently registered electors qualified to vote for the office
specified in the petition. No elector shall sign petitions for more candidates than the number of
places to be filled at the election, and should the elector do so that signature shall be void as to the
petition or petitions last filed. All nomination petitions shall be filed with the City Clerk no more
than eighty four (84) days nor less than seventy (70) days before the second Tuesday in August
before the general city election. The Clerk shall prepare the ballots with names of the candidates
for an office in a manner provided by ordinance. Each petition, when presented, must be
accompanied by a twenty dollar ($20.00) filing fee.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05; Ord. No. 2386-10, 10-6-10)
Section 4.07. Nomination Petitions.
The signatures to the nomination petition need not be contained on one (1) paper. Each paper
shall include an affidavit of its circulator stating the number of signators and affirming that each
signature was written in the circulator's presence and is the signature of the person who signed it.
The residence address of each signer shall be affixed to the petition. The nominee shall indicate
acceptance of the office, if elected, by an endorsement on the petition. The form of the nomination
petition shall be substantially as follows:
NOMINATION PETITION
We, the undersigned, electors of the City of St. Louis Park, nominate ________, whose
residence is ________, for the office of ________ to be voted for at the election to be held on the
________ day of ________; and we individually certify that we are qualified electors and that we
have not signed more nomination petitions of candidates for this office than there are persons to be
elected.
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Name Street and Number
____ ____
____ ____
________ being duly sworn, deposes and says that the undersigned circulated the foregoing
petition and that the signatures were made in the circulator's presence and are the signatures of the
persons who signed them.
Signed____
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ________ day of ________, ________
____
Notary Public for Hennepin County, Minnesota
This petition, if found insufficient by the City Clerk, shall be returned to ________ at Number
________ Street.
I hereby indicate my willingness to accept the office of ________ if duly elected.
Nominee ____
Section 4.08. Canvass of Elections and Taking of Office.
The Council shall meet and canvass the election returns within seven (7) days after any regular
or special elections, declare the results as soon as possible, and file a statement thereof with the
City Clerk. Said statement shall be made part of the minutes and shall include:
(a) the total number of good ballots cast;
(b) the total number of spoiled or defective ballots;
(c) the vote for each candidate with a declaration of those who were elected;
(d) a true copy of the ballots used;
(e) the names of the judges and clerks of election; [and]
(f) such other information as may seem pertinent.
The City Clerk shall notify all persons elected of the fact of their election, and the persons
elected shall qualify to take office at the time provided for by Section 3.01, by taking, subscribing,
and filing the required oath of office with the City Clerk.
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CHAPTER 5. ADMINISTRATION OF CITY AFFAIRS
Section 5.01. The City Manager.
The City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City. The Manager shall be chosen
by the Council solely on the basis of training, experience and administrative qualifications. The
choice shall not be limited to inhabitants of the City or state. The City Manager shall be appointed
for an indefinite period and may be discharged by the Council at will. A City Manager who has
been discharged after one (1) year of service shall have the right to appear at a regular Council
meeting to discuss the discharge by filing a request with the City Clerk within thirty (30) days after
the discharge and that the discharge be placed on a Council agenda. Such appearance shall take
place within thirty (30) days after the request is filed. The Council may suspend the City Manager
from office, with or without pay. During the suspension, absence or disability of the City Manager,
the duties of this office shall be performed by some properly qualified person designated by the
Council as Acting City Manager.
Section 5.02. Powers and Duties of the City Manager.
Subject to the provisions of this Charter and any regulations which may be adopted by the
Council, the City Manager shall control and direct the administration of the City's affairs. The
powers and duties of the City Manager shall be:
(a) To enforce this Charter and the laws, ordinances and resolutions of the City;
(b) To appoint with the consent of the Council all department heads and other officers
of the City listed in Section 5.04(a) of the City Charter, and to appoint and remove
for cause all permanent employees;
(c) To remove for cause, with the consent and approval of the Council, all department
heads and other officers specified in Section 5.04(a);
(d) To exercise control over all departments and divisions of the City administration
created by this Charter or which may be hereafter created by the Council;
(e) To attend meetings of the Council, with the right to take part in the discussions but
having no vote. The Council may, however, at its discretion, exclude the City
Manager from meetings at which removal of the City Manager is considered;
(f) To recommend such measures to the Council for adoption as may be deemed
necessary for the welfare of the people and the efficient administration of the
City's affairs;
(g) To keep the Council fully advised of the financial condition and the needs of the
City, and to prepare and to submit the annual budget to the Council; [and]
(h) To perform such other duties prescribed by State law and this Charter or required
of the City Manager by ordinances or resolutions adopted by the Council.
Section 5.03. Departments of Administration.
The Council may create such offices, departments, divisions and bureaus for the
administration of the City's affairs as may seem necessary, and alter the powers and organization
of the same from time to time. It may enact an administrative code for the City by ordinance and
may amend that code from time to time.
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Section 5.04. Other Officers.
(a) [Regulations.] There shall be a City Clerk, City Treasurer and such other officers
accountable to the City Manager as the Council may designate by ordinance. The City
Clerk may be designated to act as Secretary to the Council. The City Attorney shall be
appointed by the Council. The Council may by ordinance abolish offices which have been
created by ordinance and it may combine the duties of various offices as it may see fit.
(b) Oath of Office. Officers of the City shall, before entering upon the duties of their offices,
take and sign a written oath of office in substantially the following form: "I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) to support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of
Minnesota, and to discharge faithfully the duties devolving upon me as (City Manager,
etc.) of this City to the best of my judgment and ability."
Section 5.05. Purchases and Contracts.
The City Manager is the chief purchasing agent of the City. All purchases on behalf of the City
shall be made, and all purchases and contracts shall be let, by the City Manager, or City Manager’s
Designee, provided that the approval of the Council must be given whenever the amount of such
purchase or contract exceeds the amount at which competitive bids are required by law. Except
for purchases and contracts made by the City Manager, or City Manager’s Designee, as set forth
herein, contracts, bonds, and instruments to which the City is a party must be signed by the Mayor
and City Manager on behalf of the City.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
Section 5.06. Contracts--How Let.
City contracts must be made in compliance with State law. The City Council may reject any
and all bids.
(Ord. No. 2365-08, 3-25-09)
CHAPTER 6. TAXATION AND FINANCE
Section 6.01. Council to Control Finances.
The Council shall have authority over the financial affairs of the City, and shall provide for the
collection of all revenue and other assets, the auditing and settlement of accounts, and the
safekeeping and disbursement of public funds. In the exercise of sound discretion, it shall make
provision for the payment of all liabilities and expenses. The Council shall establish the fiscal year
for the City.
Section 6.02. Power of Taxation.
The City shall have, in addition to the powers expressly granted or implied by this Charter, all
the powers to raise money by taxation granted by the applicable laws of the State.
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Section 6.03. Board of Equalization.
The Council shall constitute and meet as a Board of Equalization on the third (3rd) Monday in
April of each year to equalize the assessed valuations according to law. A majority of the members
may act at such meeting and recess from day to day until they complete their statutory duties. The
annual session of the Board of Equalization shall not exceed twenty (20) consecutive calendar
days. A published notice of such meeting shall be given in the official newspaper of the City at
least ten (10) days prior to the day of said meeting. That notice shall specify the time and place of
the meeting.
Section 6.04. Preparation of Annual Budget.
The City Manager shall prepare an annual budget which shall include any estimated deficit for
the current year. Estimates of expenditures shall be submitted by each department to the City
Manager. Each estimate shall be divided into categories as required by the Council and the City
Manager.
The budget submitted by the City Manager shall include revenues and expenses for the
preceding two (2) years, the current year, and the budget year with appropriate explanations and
shall be submitted to the Council no later than the first (1st) regular monthly meeting in
September.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
Section 6.05. Passage of the Budget.
The budget shall be considered at regular monthly meetings of the City Council until all of the
material presented in the budget has been considered. The meetings shall be conducted upon such
matters, at such time and places, as shall be necessary to give interested citizens a reasonable
opportunity to ask questions and to be heard. The budget shall be available for public inspection at
reasonable times prior to its adoption at such place or places the City Manager shall designate. The
City Manager shall explain the various items therein as fully as may be deemed necessary by the
Council. The annual budget finally agreed upon shall set forth in such detail as may be determined
by the City Council the complete financial plan of the City for the ensuing fiscal year. It shall
indicate the sums to be raised, the sources of revenue, the sums to be spent, and the purpose of
each expenditure. The total sum appropriated shall not exceed the total estimated revenue. The
Council shall adopt the budget by resolution.
Section 6.06. Enforcement of the Budget.
It shall be the duty of the City Manager to enforce the provisions of the budget. Any obligation
incurred by any City employee for any purpose not authorized in the budget or for any amount in
excess of the amount therein authorized shall be the personal obligation of that employee.
Section 6.07. Alterations in the Budget.
After the budget has been adopted, the Council shall not have the power to increase the
amounts therein fixed whether by the insertion of new items or otherwise in any amount in excess
of the estimated revenues, unless the actual receipts exceed such estimates and in that event not in
any amount in excess of such actual receipts. The Council may at any time, by resolution passed
by a vote of at least five (5) members of the Council, reduce salaries or reduce the sums
appropriated for any purpose by the budget, or may be a vote of at least five (5) members of the
Council authorize the transfer of funds from unexpended accounts of the budget for other
purposes.
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Section 6.08. Emergency Appropriation in Budget.
The Council shall have power to establish an emergency appropriation as a part of the budget,
which shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the total budget. Transfers from the emergency
appropriation to any other appropriation shall be made only by a vote of at least five (5) members
of the Council. The funds transferred to any department or division of the City shall be used only
for the purposes designated by the Council.
Section 6.09. Levy and Collection of Taxes.
Each year the Council shall levy the taxes necessary to meet the requirements of the budget for
the ensuing fiscal year in the manner prescribed by State law. The City Treasurer shall transmit a
statement of the taxes levied to the County Auditor annually. Such taxes shall be collected and
their payment shall be enforced at the time and in the same manner as State and County taxes. No
tax shall be invalid because of any informality in the manner of levying the same, nor because the
amount levied exceeds the amount required to be raised for the purpose for which it was levied.
Any surplus shall go into a suspense fund, and shall be used to reduce the levy for the ensuing
year. (Ord. No. 2386-10, 10-6-10)
Section 6.10. Tax Settlement with County.
The City Treasurer shall ensure that all monies in the County Treasury belonging to the City
are promptly turned over to the City according to law. (Ord. No. 2386-10, 10-6-10)
Section 6.11. Disbursements--How Made.
Disbursements shall be made only upon the order of the City Manager after City Council
approval, except under such conditions as the Council may deem necessary and appropriate from
time to time by adoption of an ordinance. Every such order shall specify the purpose for which the
disbursement is made, and the fund from which it is to be paid. No claim against the City shall be
allowed unless accompanied by an itemized bill, a payroll or a time sheet, each of which shall be
approved and signed by the responsible City officer who vouches for its correctness and
reasonableness. All disbursements authorized by ordinance to be made without City Council
approval shall be reviewed by the Council. The Council may, by ordinance, make additional
regulations for the safekeeping and disbursement of the City's funds. The Council may, by
resolution or motion, waive the Council's approval of salaries and wages of regular employees, and
fixed charges which have been previously authorized.
Section 6.12. Funds.
There must be maintained in the City a general fund and the funds required by law, ordinance,
the budget resolution or other resolution. The Council may make interfund loans and transfers
except from trust or agency funds or where prohibited by this charter or law.
Section 6.13. Receipts to go to City Treasurer.
All money belonging to the City or any agency thereof shall be paid to the City Treasurer by
the person authorized to receive it. All money received by the City Treasurer shall be deposited as
soon as possible in a bank or banks or other depositories designated by the City Council.
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Section 6.14. Accounts and Reports.
The City Manager shall be the chief accounting officer of the City and of every agency
thereof, and the Council may prescribe and enforce proper accounting methods, forms, blanks and
other devices consistent with law, this Charter and the City ordinances. The City Manager shall
submit a statement to the Council each month showing the amount of money in the custody of the
City Treasurer, the status of all funds, the amount spent or chargeable against each of the annual
budget allowances and the balances left in each, and such other information relative to the finances
of the City as the Council may require. The Council may at any time and shall annually provide for
an audit of the City finances by a certified public accountant or by the Department of the State
authorized to make examinations of the affairs of municipalities. On or before the last day of June,
in each year, the City Manager shall prepare a complete financial report in a form approved by the
Council of the City's financial operations for the preceding calendar year. That report may be
published in such manner as the Council may direct and a summary thereof shall be published in
the official newspaper on or before July 31 of each year.
Section 6.15. Bonds and Debt Limit.
(a) In addition to the power to borrow and issue bonds and other obligations for the payment
of money specifically or impliedly granted by this Charter, the City shall have the powers
regarding issuance of obligations granted to cities of its same class and to statutory cities
by the laws of the State of Minnesota. The City shall have the power to issue and sell its
bonds to the State of Minnesota and to comply with all provisions of law relative to loans
to municipalities from the permanent State funds. The City shall also have such powers as
are necessary to obtain loans or funds from the Government of the United States and any
of its instrumentalities, and to comply with all provisions of law applicable to obtaining
such loans or funds. The powers granted in this paragraph are in addition to and separate
from the powers granted by any other provisions of this Charter. Notwithstanding Section
1.04 of this Charter, if the provisions of any laws referred to in this paragraph are
inconsistent with other provisions of this Charter, the provisions of such laws shall be
controlling as to powers granted by such laws.
(b) In addition to its powers granted under Section 6.15(a) of this Charter, the Council, by a
vote of at least six (6) of its members and without submitting the question to the voters,
may authorize the issuance of bonds for any purpose permitted by state law.
(c) The total bonded debt of the City at the time any bonds are issued shall not exceed the
limit authorized by State law for cities of the same class and statutory cities.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
Section 6.16. Form and Repayment of Bonds.
(a) No bonds which pledge the full faith and credit of the City to their payment shall be issued
to run for longer than the reasonable life expectancy of the property or improvement for
which such bonds are authorized, as ascertained and set forth in the resolution authorizing
such bonds, and in no case shall such bonds be issued to run for more than thirty (30)
years unless a longer maturity is otherwise authorized by state law. The purposes for
which bonds are authorized shall be set forth in the resolution authorizing them, and the
proceeds from such bonds which pledge the full faith and credit of the City to their
payment shall not be diverted to any other purposes.
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(b) It shall be the duty of the City Manager to include estimates in each year's budget of the
sums necessary to pay the interest on and principal of any bonds payable in the coming
fiscal year constituting expenditures to be included in the budget and payable from
revenues to be included in the budget. It shall be the duty of the Council, enforceable by
mandamus upon the suit of any bondholder or taxpayer, to include such sum or sums as
may be necessary for this purpose in the approved annual budget.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
Section 6.17. Debt and Tax Anticipation Certificates.
(a) If, in any year, the receipts from taxes or other sources should become insufficient for the
ordinary expenses of the City, as provided in the budget, or if any calamity or other public
emergency should subject the City to the necessity of making extraordinary expenditures,
the Council may authorize the sale of emergency debt certificates to bear interest at not
more than the rate established by State law and for terms not to exceed eighteen (18)
months. A tax sufficient to redeem all such certificates at maturity shall be levied as part
of the budget for the following year. The authorization for an issue of such emergency
debt certificates shall be by ordinance approved by at least five (5) of the members of the
Council; the ordinance may, if necessary, be passed as an emergency ordinance.
(b) For the purpose of providing money necessary to meet authorized expenditures, the
Council may issue certificates of indebtedness in any year prior to the receipt of taxes
payable in such year. Such certificates shall be repaid out of such taxes before the end of
such year on such terms and conditions as the Council may determine, and shall bear
interest at a rate not to exceed that established by State law, Such certificates outstanding
at any one time shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the tax levy payable in the current
year to the fund which benefited from the borrowing.
Section 6.18. Bonds Outside the Debt Limit.
The Council may authorize the issuance of bonds for lawful purposes outside of the debt limit
without limitation on their amount:
(a) for the creation and maintenance of a permanent improvement revolving fund;
(b) for extending, enlarging or improving revenue-producing public utilities of
whatever nature, owned and operated by the City, or of acquiring property needed
in connection therewith;
(c) for public improvements payable from special assessments; and
(d) for any authorized purpose for which obligations may be issued without regard to
debt limit under State law.
The Council may also authorize the lease purchase of equipment or the purchase of equipment
on conditional sale contracts, provided that the lease or installment payments do not extend beyond
the estimated useful life of the equipment so leased or purchased, as ascertained and set forth in
the resolution authorizing such lease or conditional sales contract.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
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CHAPTER 7. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Section 7.01. The City Plan.
The City Council shall, with the assistance of the City Manager and an advisory City Planning
Commission, prepare and adopt a comprehensive City plan for the future physical development of
the City. Such plan may be altered from time to time. It may include provisions for zoning, for the
platting and development of new areas, for the planning and location of public works of art, public
buildings, parks, playgrounds, bridges, transportation lines, and other public facilities, and for the
laying out, grading and improving of streets and public places, as well as for all other matters
which may seem essential to such a plan.
Section 7.02. Enforcement of City Plan.
The Council shall have power, acting through the City Manager, to enforce a comprehensive
zoning ordinance. The Council shall have power to pass ordinances to regulate the use of private
property, such as but not limited to: the height of buildings, the proportion of the area of any lot
which may be built upon, building lines and proper and adequate provisions for parking. Such
power shall be exercised to promote public health, safety, morals, welfare and convenience.
Section 7.03. Public Improvements and Special Assessments.
The City shall have the power to make any and every type of public improvement not
forbidden by the laws of this State and to levy special assessments to pay for all such
improvements which are of a local character. The amounts assessed to benefited property to pay
for such local improvements may equal the cost of the improvements, including all costs and
expenses connected therewith, with interest, until paid, but shall not exceed the benefits to the
property.
Section 7.04. Local Improvements.
The Council may prepare and adopt an ordinance, prescribing the procedure which shall be
followed in making all local improvements and levying assessments. Such ordinance, when
adopted, shall supersede all other municipal provisions of the law on the same subject and may be
amended only by an affirmative vote of at least five (5) members of the Council. Until the
adoption of such an ordinance, and in absence of such ordinance, all local improvements may be
made and assessments levied as prescribed by applicable law.
Section 7.05. Public Works--How Performed.
Public works, including all local improvements, may be constructed, extended, repaired and
maintained either directly by day labor or by contract. The City shall require contractors to give
bonds for the protection of the City and all persons furnishing labor and materials pursuant to the
statutes of the State.
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CHAPTER 8. EMINENT DOMAIN
Section 8.01. Power to Acquire Property.
The City of St. Louis Park is hereby empowered to acquire, by purchase, gift, devise or
condemnation, any property, corporeal or incorporeal, either within or without its corporate
boundaries, which may be needed by the City for any public use or purpose. Easements for any
public purpose may be acquired by gift, devise, purchase or condemnation in the manner provided
by law.
Section 8.02. Proceedings in Acquiring Property.
The necessity for the taking of property by the City shall be determined by the Council and
shall be declared by a resolution which shall describe such property and state the use to which it is
to be devoted. In the acquisition of property by the exercise of the right of eminent domain, the
City shall proceed according to applicable law.
Section 8.03. Payment of Award.
Whenever an award of damages shall be confirmed in any proceeding for the taking of
property under this Charter, or whenever the court shall render final judgment in any appeal from
any such award, and the time for abandoning such proceedings by the City shall have expired, the
City shall be bound to, and shall, within sixty (60) days of such final determination, pay the
amount of the award or judgment of the court, as the case may be, and if not so paid, judgment
therefore may be had against the City.
Section 8.04. City May Abandon Proceedings.
The City may, by resolution of the Council at any stage of the condemnation proceedings or at
any time within thirty (30) days after final determination thereof, abandon such proceedings as to
all or any parcel of the property sought to be acquired and shall pay all reasonable costs and
expenses thereof, including fees of counsel.
Section 8.05. City May Acquire Entire Plant.
In case the City shall condemn a public utility which is operated at the time of the
commencement of the condemnation proceedings as one property or one system, it shall not be
necessary in such condemnation proceedings, or any of the proceedings of the Council, to describe
or treat separately the different kinds of property composing such system, but all of the property,
lands, articles, franchises and rights which enter into and go to make up such system may, unless
otherwise ordered by the court, be treated together as constituting one property, and an award for
the whole property in one lump sum may be made by the commissioners or other body assessing
the damages in condemnation. This shall not prevent the City from acquiring only such part or
parts thereof as may be necessary in the public interest in cases where the plant and property are
separable into distinct parts.
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CHAPTER 9. FRANCHISES
Section 9.01. Definition of Franchise.
The word "franchise" as used in this Charter shall be construed to include all privileges
granted to any person, firm, association or corporation in, over, upon or under any of the highways
or public places of the City, whether such privileges have been or shall hereafter be granted either
by the City or by the State of Minnesota.
Section 9.02. Franchise Ordinances.
The Council may grant franchises by ordinance. Every ordinance granting a franchise shall
contain all the terms and conditions of the franchise and shall be adopted in the manner prescribed
by Chapter 3 of the Charter, except that no franchise will be granted by emergency ordinance. In
addition to the requirements of Chapter 3 of the Charter, no franchise ordinance shall be granted
until a public hearing has been held by the City Council. Notice of the public hearing must be
published at least once in the City's official newspaper at least twenty (20) days prior to the public
hearing.
CHAPTER 10. PUBLIC OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF UTILITIES
Section 10.01. Construction, Acquisition and Operation of Utilities.
The City shall have power to acquire public utilities as provided in Chapter 8 of this Charter
and to build and construct such utilities as may be authorized by at least sixty (60) percent of the
votes cast on the issue at a regular or special election.
Section 10.02. Rates and Finances.
Upon recommendations of the City Manager, or upon its own motion, the Council shall have
the power to fix all rates and charges for all utilities owned by the City, but such rates and charges
shall be just and reasonable. The Council may prescribe the time and manner in which payments
for all such services shall be made, make such other regulations as may be necessary and prescribe
penalties for violations of such regulations.
Section 10.03. Purchase in Bulk.
The Council may, in lieu of providing for the local production of gas, electricity, water and
other utilities, purchase them in bulk and resell them to local consumers at such reasonable rates it
may fix.
Section 10.04. City to Pay for Services.
The Council shall make a reasonable charge, based on the cost of service, for lighting the
streets and public buildings, for supplying heat, water, power or any other utility. Such charges for
light, heat, power, water and other services shall be collected in the same manner as from other
consumers, unless the Council provides some other plan.
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Section 10.05. Lease of Plant.
The Council may, if the public interests will be served, contract with any responsible person,
co-partnership or corporation for the operation of any utility owned by the City, upon such rentals
and conditions as it may deem necessary. Such contract shall be embodied in and let only by an
ordinance approved by an affirmative vote of at least five (5) members of the Council. In no case
shall such contract be for a longer term than ten (10) years. The contractor shall be subject, as far
as possible, to the rules governing rates, service, and Council control, contained in Chapter 9 of
this Charter which are applicable to the holders of franchises.
Section 10.06. Public Utility--How Sold.
No public utility owned by the City shall be sold or otherwise disposed of by the City unless
the full terms of the proposition of said sale or other disposition thereof, together with the price to
be paid therefore, shall have been embodied in an ordinance passed by an affirmative vote of at
least five (5) members of the Council, submitted to the electors at a general or special election and
approved by at least a sixty (60) percent vote of the voters voting thereon.
CHAPTER 11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 11.01. Sale of Real Property.
No real property of the City shall be sold or disposed of except by ordinance or resolution. The
proceeds of any such sale shall be used as far as possible to retire any outstanding indebtedness
incurred by the City in the purchase, construction or improvement of this or other property used
for the same public purpose. If there is no such outstanding indebtedness, the Council may, by a
resolution adopted by an affirmative vote of at least five (5) members of the Council, designate
some other public use for such proceeds.
Section 11.02. Vacation of Streets.
The Council shall have the exclusive power, by ordinance passed by a vote of at least five (5)
members of the Council, to vacate or discontinue highways, streets and alleys within the City.
Such vacations may be made only after notice to affected property owners after hearing, upon such
further terms, and by such procedure as the Council may, by ordinance, prescribe. A record of each
such vacation shall be filed in the office of the County Recorder or the Registrar of Titles of
Hennepin County, as appropriate.
Section 11.03. Damage Suits.
The State of Minnesota has regulated actions for the recovery of damages for injuries to
persons and property by Statute. Therefore, the Minnesota Tort Claims Act, applicable to
Minnesota municipalities as it may be amended from time to time, M.S.A. § 3.736, is hereby
adopted by reference. The City expressly preserves all rights and defenses accorded to it by law,
including the right to bring claims for contribution or indemnity.
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Section 11.04. Civil Service Commission.
Subject to Minnesota statutes and the provisions of this Charter, the City Council may
establish, alter from time to time, or abolish, by ordinance, a civil service or merit system for all
regular City employees or for such classifications as may be deemed advisable. The City Council
may create and appoint a civil service commission to administer and supervise such civil service or
merit system.
(Ord. No. 2291-05, 6-7-05)
Section 11.05. Civil Penalties.
(a) The City Council may establish by ordinance a procedure for imposing a civil penalty for
any violation of a city ordinance. The procedure must include provisions to notify the
person or entity of the penalty and the opportunity to be heard in response to the charge.
(b) The City Council may provide by ordinance that unpaid civil penalties be collected
through a process similar to a special assessment against real property if the penalty relates
to the maintenance of the property or to an activity, use, or delivery of City service
associated with the property. The ordinance must provide that the City should first
attempt to obtain voluntary payment of the penalty. The ordinance must also provide that
notice and an opportunity to be heard be given to the property owner listed on the official
tax records before the penalty is assessed.
(c) With respect to unpaid civil penalties assessed against real property pursuant to Paragraph
(b) of this Section, the assessment may include late payment penalties to cover the
administrative and legal costs incurred by the City in connection with collecting the
unpaid penalties.
(Ord. No. 2411-12, 6-15-12)
CHAPTER 12. CODE OF ETHICS
Section 12.01. Declaration of Policy.
The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials be independent,
impartial and responsible to the people; that governmental decisions and policy be made in the
proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain, and
that the public has confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition of these goals,
there is hereby established a Code of Ethics for all public officials. The purpose of this Code is to
establish ethical standards of conduct for all such officials by setting forth those acts or actions
that are incompatible with the best interests of the City and by directing disclosure by such
officials of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the City. The provisions and
purpose of this Code and such rules and regulations as may be established are hereby declared to
be in the best interests of the City of St. Louis Park.
Section 12.02. Definitions.
When used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have ascribed to them the definitions set
out herein:
(1) Associate means any person related to a public official by blood or marriage.
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(2) Candidate means any individual who seeks nomination or election as a public official of
the City of St. Louis Park. An individual shall be deemed to seek nomination or election if
he/she has taken the action necessary under the ordinances of the City of St. Louis Park to
qualify for nomination or election to an office, or has received contributions or made
expenditures in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00), or has given consent, implicit or
explicit, for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures in excess of
one hundred dollars ($100.00) with a view to bringing about his/her nomination for
election or election to an office.
(3) Contribution means a transfer of funds or a donation in kind and includes any loan or
advance of credit to a candidate, personal campaign committee, political committee or
party committee, which loan or advance of credit is (a) forgiven or (b) paid by an entity
other than the personal campaign committee, political committee, or party committee to
which the loan or advance of credit is made. If an advance of credit or a loan is forgiven or
paid as provided in this subdivision, it is a contribution in the year in which the loan or
advance of credit is made.
(a) Transfer of Funds means money or negotiable instruments given by an individual
or entity to a candidate, personal campaign committee, party committee or
political committee for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a
candidate.
(b) Donation in Kind means anything of value other than money or negotiable
instruments given by an individual or association to a candidate, personal
campaign committee, political committee, or party committee for the purpose of
influencing the nomination or election of a candidate. Donation in kind includes
an approved expenditure.
(c) Approved Expenditure means an expenditure made on behalf of a candidate by an
entity other than the personal campaign committee of that candidate, which
expenditure is made with the authorization or express or implied consent of, or in
cooperation or in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of that candidate,
the candidate's personal campaign committee, or the candidate's agent. An
approved expenditure is a contribution to that candidate.
(4) Expenditure means a purchase or payment of money or anything of value, or an advance of
credit, made or incurred for the purpose of supporting or opposing the nomination or
election of a candidate.
An expenditure is considered to be made in the year in which the goods or services for
which it was made are used or consumed.
Expenditure includes the dollar value of a donation in kind.
Expenditure does not include:
(a) Transfers of funds as defined in Section 12.02(3)(a);
(b) Services provided without compensation by an individual volunteering time on
behalf of a candidate; or
(c) The publishing or broadcasting of news items or editorial comments by the news
media.
(5) Election means a primary, special primary, regular or special City election.
(6) Interest means any concern which Yields a pecuniary or material benefit.
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(7) Personal campaign committee means any committee appointed by a candidate for any
election.
(8) Party committee means any committee appointed or elected to represent any political party
with a party organization in the State of Minnesota.
(9) Political committee means a group of two or more persons who were elected or appointed
by any political party or association for the purpose, wholly or partly, of raising, collecting
or disbursing money or directing the raising, collecting or disbursing thereof, for
nomination or election purposes, or who cooperates in the raising, collecting or disbursing
of money used, or to be used for or against the election to public office of any person or any
class or number of persons, or for or against the adoption of any ordinance or Charter
amendment.
(10) Public official means any person holding the office of Mayor or Councilmember by
election or by appointment.
Section 12.03. Organization of Personal Campaign Committees.
Every candidate shall designate a single personal campaign committee which shall have a
treasurer. The candidate shall file a signed statement with the City Clerk stating that a personal
campaign committee has been formed and giving the name and address of every member and of
the treasurer thereof. Such filing shall be made before any expenditures are made by the personal
campaign committee. Only the candidate and the personal campaign committee shall receive
contributions and make expenditures on behalf of the candidate; provided, however, that party
committees and political committees shall not be prohibited from receiving contributions and
making expenditures related to nominations or elections.
Section 12.04. Contributions.
(1) A candidate or personal campaign committee may not accept aggregate contributions made
by an individual or committee in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) in any year.
(2) Every person who receives a contribution or loan for a personal campaign committee shall,
on demand of the treasurer, and in any event, within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the
contribution or loan, furnish the treasurer with the name and, if known, address of the
contributor or lender, the amount contributed or loaned and the date of receipt.
(3) No anonymous contributions in excess of twenty dollars ($20.00) or any anonymous
contributions aggregating in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in any calendar year
shall be retained by the personal campaign committee, but shall be forwarded to the City
Clerk and deposited to the general fund of the City. This subdivision shall not apply to
anonymous contributions aggregating in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) arising
from fund raising sales, where in consideration of a contribution or contributions, a person
receives any tangible goods whose value has a reasonable relationship to the contribution.
(4) All contributions of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more shall be made by check, bank draft or
money order.
(5) All monetary contributions received by or on behalf of any candidate or personal
campaign committee shall be deposited within fourteen (14) days after receipt in an
account designated "campaign fund of (name of personal campaign committee)."
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Section 12.05. Use of Contributions.
All contributions received on behalf of a candidate or personal campaign committee shall be
used solely for the purpose of conducting that candidate's campaign for nomination for election or
election to political office. Following an election any remaining contributions may also be paid to
the City General Fund, a party committee, or any charity. Contributions may not exceed fifty
dollars ($50.00) annually to any one charity.
Section 12.06. Campaign Reports.
(1) The candidate or treasurer of every personal campaign committee in every primary, special
or regular election, shall file a financial report with the City Clerk as follows:
(a) Ten (10) days before the primary;
(b) Ten (10) days before the regular or special elections;
(c) Thirty (30) days after the regular or special election; and
(d) January 31 in the year following the regular or special election.
The report shall be verified upon the oath of such candidate or treasurer of such personal campaign
committee and shall cover all transactions made up to and including the third day before the filing
of the report and not accounted for and reported upon in reports previously filed, except that no
transactions shall be made thereafter which are not included in the final report. Each report, after
the first, shall contain a summary of all preceding reports.
(2) The reports required by Section 12.06(1) shall disclose the following:
(a) Every contribution received by such candidate or committee during such period
from any source whatsoever which the candidate or committee uses or has used, or
is at liberty to use for political purposes which in aggregate exceeds one hundred
dollars ($100.00) within the calendar year, together with the name of every person
or source from which each was received and the date when each was received,
together with the total amount received from all sources in any amount or manner;
(b) Every promise or pledge of money, property or other thing of value, which in
aggregate exceeds one hundred dollars ($100.00) within the calendar year,
received by such candidate or committee during such period, the proceeds of
which the candidate or committee uses or has used, or is at liberty to use for
political purposes, together with the names of the persons by whom each was
promised or pledged, the special purposes for which each was promised or
pledged, and the date when each was promised or pledged, together with the total
amount promised or pledged from all sources in any amounts or manner;
(c) Every disbursement by such candidate or committee for political purposes during
such period, together with the name of every person to whom the disbursement is
made, the specific purpose for which each was made and the date when each was
made;
(d) Every obligation, expressed or implied, to make disbursement incurred by such
candidate or committee for political purposes during such period, together with the
names of the person or persons to or with whom each such obligation has been
incurred, the specific purposes for which each was made, and the date when each
was incurred, together with the total amount of such obligations made in any
amounts or manner.
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Section 12.07. Records.
(1) The candidate or the treasurer of each personal campaign committee or political committee
shall preserve all records and accounts required for the reports required in Section 12.06
for one year after the date of the election.
(2) The City Clerk shall keep all reports filed as required by Section 12.06 for one (1) year
after the date of the election. Reports shall be available to the public at a reasonable time
and place.
Section 12.08. Notice of Failure to File.
The City Clerk shall receive all reports filed as required by Section 12.06 and notify the person
required to file a report that such person has failed to file a document by this Chapter.
Section 12.09. Termination Report.
No personal campaign committee, party committee or political committee shall dissolve until it
has filed a termination report. The termination report shall include all information required in
periodic reports and a statement as to the disposition of any residual funds.
Section 12.10. Distribution.
The City Clerk shall distribute a copy of Section[s] 12.02 through 12.11 to every candidate for
public office upon the candidate's filing for office.
Section 12.11. Penalty.
Any candidate, personal campaign committee, party committee or political committee found to
be in violation of Sections 12.02 through 12.09 shall be liable for a fine of not more than five
hundred dollars ($500.00).
Section 12.12. Filing of Information.
Each public official and each candidate must file as public record in the office of the City
Clerk a statement containing the following:
(1) Individual's name, address, occupation and principal place of business;
(2) A listing of all sources of compensation received for services rendered in excess of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per year without specifying [the dollar] amount;
(3) A list of the names of all business corporations, companies, firms or other business
enterprises or partnerships with which the individual is connected as an employee, officer,
owner, director, trustee, partner, advisor, or consultant.
(4) A list of financial interests through ownership of stocks, bonds, or other securities with
value in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) without specifying the
dollar amount.
(5) A list of all real property located within the City of St. Louis Park, excluding personal
homestead property, in which the individual has any financial interest in excess of one
thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). The filing shall indicate the location of such
property, but may omit any valuation.
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Section 12.13. Family Interests.
If the spouse and/or minor children of a public official or candidate hold an interest which, if
held by the official or candidate would have to be disclosed under the provisions of Section 12.12,
such interest of the spouse and/or minor children must be included in the statement filed according
to Section 12.12.
Section 12.14. Exclusions.
Section 12.12 shall not be construed to require:
(1) Filing of any information relative to connections or interests with any nonprofit
organization.
(2) Disclosure of privileged relationships, as recognized by law (e.g., doctor-patient, attorney-
client, pastor-parishioner, etc.).
Section 12.15. Time of Required Filing.
The times at which required personal financial disclosure filings must be made are as follows:
(1) Public officials--not later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this amendment
and every April 15 thereafter.
(2) Candidates--within fourteen (14) days after filing an affidavit of candidacy or petition to
appear on the ballot for an elective office.
Section 12.16. Records.
The City Clerk shall keep all reports filed as required by Sections 12.12 through 12.15 for four
(4) years.
Section 12.17. Penalty.
Any candidates or public officials who fail to file all the necessary documents with the City
Clerk within thirty (30) days after notice from the City Clerk that they are delinquent in their
filings shall be liable for a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Section 12.18. Personal Financial Conflicts of Public Officials.
(a) Contracts Void. Except for any contract permitted by M.S.A. § 471.88, any public official
who is authorized to take part in any manner in making a sale, lease or contract in his/her
official capacity shall have no personal financial interest in that sale, lease or contract or
personally benefit financially therefrom unless the effect on the public official's personal
financial interest is no greater than on any other person and/or property similarly situated.
Any sale, lease, or contract entered into by the City with regard to which a public official
has acted in violation of this section is void. Any money which is paid by the Council in
violation of this paragraph may be recovered from any and all persons interested therein.
Any vote pursuant to M.S.A. § 471.88 must be unanimous by Council.
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHT:29 St. Louis Park City Code
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(b) Noncontractual transactions voidable. Any public official who in the discharge of his/her
duties would be authorized to take an action, vote, or make a decision concerning a
noncontractual transaction of the City which would affect the public official's interests,
unless the effect on his/her interests is no greater than on other persons and/or property
similarly situated, shall disqualify himself/herself from such action, vote or decision. Any
transaction entered into by the City with regard to which a public official has acted in
violation of this paragraph is voidable at the option of the Council. Any money, which was
paid by the Council in violation of this paragraph, may be recovered from any and all
persons interested therein.
Section 12.19. Financial Conflicts of Associates of Public Officials; Contracts and
Transactions Voidable.
Any public official who in the discharge of his/her duties would be authorized to take an
action, vote or make a decision concerning a contractual or noncontractual transaction which
would affect the interests of his/her associates, unless the effect on the interests of his/her
associates is no greater than on other persons and/or property similarly situated, shall disqualify
himself/herself from such action, vote or decision.
Any contract or transaction entered into by the City with regard to which a public official has
acted in violation of this Section is voidable at the option of the Council. Any money, which was
paid by the Council in violation of this section, may be recovered from any and all persons
interested therein.
Section 12.20. Gifts and Favors.
No public official shall accept any valuable gift, whether in the form of money, service, loan,
thing or promise, from any person, firm or corporation which to his/her knowledge is concerned,
directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever in business dealings with the City; nor shall any
public official (1) accept any gift, favor or thing of value that may tend to influence his/her in the
discharge of his/her duties; or (2) grant in the discharge of his/her duties any improper favor,
service, or thing of value or accept an offer which would not have been given if he/she were not an
official; or (3) accept or receive anything of value through sale or gift of goods or services which
would result directly or indirectly from his/her position as a public official of the City of St. Louis
Park.
Section 12.21. Use of City Equipment and Facilities.
No public official shall request or permit the unauthorized use of City-owned vehicles,
equipment, materials, property, labor or services for personal convenience or profit.
Section 12.22. Distribution.
The City Clerk shall distribute a copy of this Chapter to every public official within thirty (30)
days after enactment of these sections. The City Clerk shall also distribute a copy of this Chapter
to every subsequently elected or appointed public official within fourteen (14) days of the public
official's election or appointment to public office and every candidate for City office upon the
candidate's filing for office.
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHT:30 St. Louis Park City Code
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APPENDIX A. CERTIFICATE OF COMMISSION
We, the undersigned, being duly appointed, qualified and acting members of the Board of
Freeholders (Charter Commission) in and for the Village of St. Louis Park, Hennepin County,
Minnesota, hereby certify that the foregoing document consisting of Chapters 1 through Chapter
11, inclusive, is the draft of a proposed Charter prepared and framed by said Board of Freeholders,
and hereby affix our signatures to said draft in testimony of our approval thereof, and deliver the
same to the Honorable Russell Fernstrom, President of the Council of said Village, as the chief
magistrate or executive thereof, for the action pursuant to law.
Dated at St. Louis Park, Minnesota, this ________ day of ________, 1954.
MAURICE ADELSHEIM, JR. J. E. ADOLPH KARLSSON
WILLIAM R. CHAPMAN LELAND F. LELAND
JAMES S. CULLEN MRS. LYDIA ROGERS
TRES F. GOETTING EDMUND T. MONTGOMERY
MRS. GERTRUDE HOGNANDER MRS. CATHERINE WESTERDAHL
FRED W. KAEPPEL EDWARD ROUSE
WALTER WHEELER
EVERETT A. DRAKE, CHAIRMAN
The foregoing draft of a proposed Charter and certificate in connection therewith received this
day of ________, 1954.
(Adopted December 7, 1954; effective January 7, 1955)
Supp. No. 18 (03-09) CHT:31 St. Louis Park City Code
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APPENDIX B. LIST OF AMENDMENTS
Text--(C)hapter or (S)ection Passage
Date
(O)rdinance
or Election
Effective
Date
(S) 4.03, 4.06 11/4/58 Election 12/4/58
(S) 2.08 12/8/59 Election 1/8/60
(S) 2.05 11/8/60 Election 12/8/60
(S) 4.02, 5.06, 6.04, 6.14 11/8/66 Election 12/8/66
(S) 2.04 6/14/71 (O) 1149 9/15/71
(S) 4.08 7/19/71 (O) 1158 10/20/71
(S) 5.02(b) 8/30/71 (O) 1163 10/31/71
(S) 2.03 3/5/73 (O) 1211 6/6/73
(S) 5.05, 5.06 5/29/73 (O) 1224 8/29/73
(S) 6.14 5/29/73 (O) 1225 8/29/73
(S) 11.04 5/29/73 (O) 1226 8/29/73
(S) 11.04, 11.10, 11.11, 11.12, 11.13, 11.14 2/3/75 (O) 1278 5/7/75
(S) 2.03, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.10 2/3/75 (O) 1279 5/7/75
(S) 3.03, 3.06, 3.09 4/7/75 (O) 1288 7/9/75
(S) 5.01, 5.02 4/7/75 (O) 1289 7/9/75
(S) 6.02, 6.03, 6.04, 6.05, 6.09, 6.10, 6.14, 6.15,
6.16, 6.17
4/7/75 (O) 1290 7/9/75
(S) 7.02, 7.04 4/7/75 (O) 1291 7/9/75
(S) 2.05, 4.03, 4.04 2/7/77 (O) 1362 5/17/77
(S) 2.03, 2.05, 3.01 11/8/77 Election 12/15/77
(S) 2.07 11/20/78 (O) 1432 12/1/79
(S) 2.09 11/6/79 Election 12/6/79
(C) 12 11/4/80 Election 12/4/80
(S) 3.07 2/18/82 (O) 1540 4/22/82
(S) 4.05 7/19/82 (O) 1567 10/26/82
(S) 2.03 11/2/82 Election 12/2/82
(S) 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 2.03(b), 2.06, 2.07(a-d),
3.07(a-b), 4.06, 5.04(a-b), 5.05, 5.06, 6.02, 6.04,
6.05, 6.06, 6.07, 6.08, 6.11, 6.12, 6.14, 6.15(b),
6.17(a-b), 6.18(b-c), 8.01, 8.02, 9.02, 9.03, 9.05,
9.06(a-b), 11.01-11.05, 11.06, 11.07
3/21/83 (O) 1593 6/28/93
(S) 2.03 1/21/85 (O) 1644 6/28/83
Supp. No. 18 (03-09) CHT:32 St. Louis Park City Code
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Text--(C)hapter or (S)ection Passage
Date
(O)rdinance
or Election
Effective
Date
(S) 1.00 9/15/86 (O) 1695 10/7/86
(S) 2.04, 3.04, 3.07, 4.06, 4.07, 5.01, 5.05, 5.06,
6.17, 11.03, 11.04, 12.01(3), 12.03
5/4/87 (O) 1716-87 8/10/87
(S) 2.05, 2.06, 4.06, 4.07, 5.01, 5.02, 5.04, 6.05,
6.06, 6.07, 6.15, 11.04 plus minor changes to:
1.02, 1.04, 2.03, 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 3.01,
3.03, 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 3.09, 3.10, 4.03, 4.08(C) 5
& 6, (S) 7.01, 7.02, 7.04, 8.02, 8.05, (C) 9-11
5/20/91 (O) 1855-91 7/1/91
(S) 1.00, 1.02, 2.03, 3.03, 3.07, 5.02, 6.04, 6.08,
6.11, 6.13, 11.02, 1.04, Index
10/20/92 (O) 1898-92 12/10/92
(S) 4.03, 4.06, 6.11, 6.15, 6.16, 6.18 5/3/93 (O) 93-1913,
1914, 1916
8/11/93
(S) 5.05 & 5.06 7/1/96 (O) 96-2070 9/29/96
(S) 1.00 6/2/97 (O) 2094-97 9/9/97
(S) 2.02, 6.05, 6.07, 6.12, 6.14, 12.03, 12.04,
12.05, 12.06, 12.07 & 12.18
4/20/98 (O) 2114-98 7/19/99
(S) 11.03, Chapter 11--Certificate of
Commission, Chapter 13--Index, Chapter
14--Amendments
9/8/99 (O) 2127-98 12/7/99
Table of Contents, (S), 1.02, 2.06, 2.08, 3.01,
3.03, 3.07, 5.05, 5.06, 5.07, 7.04, 9.02 through
9.09, 11.02, 11.04, 11.05, Index
3/5/01 (O) 2193-01 6-12-2001
(S) 4.02, 4.03, 4.06, 5.05, 6.04, 6.15, 6.16, 6.18,
amended. 11.01, 11.06 (deleted)
3-14-2005 (O) 2291-05 6-7-2005
(S) 3.10 (deleted), 5.06 12-15-08 (O) 2365-08 3-25-2009
(S) 4.03, 4.06, 6.09, 6.10 6-28-10 (O) 2386-10 10-6-2010
Table of Contents, (S) 11.05, Index 3-5-12 (O) 2411-12 6-15-2012
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHT:33 St. Louis Park City Code
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:1 St. Louis Park City Code
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CHARTER INDEX
Section
ADMINISTRATION
Administration of city affairs
Administrative Code ............................................................................................................ 5.03
Administrative rules and regulations of any state department or state statute
Adoption by reference ...................................................................................................... 3.07(d)
City Manager ........................................................................................................................... 5.01
Contracts, how let .................................................................................................................... 5.06
Council-Manager plan of government..................................................................................... 2.01
Departments of administration ................................................................................................ 5.03
Interference with administration ............................................................................................. 2.09
Other officers........................................................................................................................... 5.04
Powers and duties .................................................................................................................... 5.02
Purchases and contracts ........................................................................................................... 5.05
ADVERTISING
Advertising for bid
How contracts let ................................................................................................................. 5.06
Assessed valuations ................................................................................................................. 6.03
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to Charter ....................................................................................................... App. B
List of amendments ............................................................................................................. App. B
Ordinances ............................................................................................................................... 3.09
AUDITS
Auditing
City Manager ........................................................................................................................ 6.14
Council control ..................................................................................................................... 6.01
City finance ............................................................................................................................. 6.14
Investigations by council ......................................................................................................... 2.08
BANKING INSTITUTIONS
Depositories ............................................................................................................................. 6.13
BIDDING
Competitive bidding
How contracts let ................................................................................................................. 5.06
See: PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Authority to investigate ........................................................................................................... 2.02
Board of equalization .............................................................................................................. 6.03
Bureaus; Creation .................................................................................................................... 1.02
Civil Service Commission ..................................................................................................... 11.04
Local boards and commissions, creating. ................................................................................ 2.02
Party Committee; defined .................................................................................................. 12.02(8)
Personal Campaign Committee, defined ........................................................................... 12.02(7)
Personal Campaign Committee; organization. ...................................................................... 12.03
Planning Commission ............................................................................................................. 7.01
Political Committee, defined ............................................................................................. 12.02(9)
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:2 St. Louis Park City Code
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BONDS
Bonds and Debt Limit ............................................................................................................. 6.15
Bonds Outside the Debt Limit ................................................................................................. 6.18
Form and Repayment of Bonds ............................................................................................... 6.16
BOUNDARIES
City boundaries ....................................................................................................................... 1.01
BUDGET
Alterations ............................................................................................................................... 6.07
Annual ............................................................................................................................ 6.04, 6.14
Emergency appropriations.. ..................................................................................................... 6.08
Enforcement. ........................................................................................................................... 6.06
How adopted............................................................................................................................ 6.05
Ordinance ....................................................................................................................... 3.08, 6.05
Passage .................................................................................................................................... 6.05
Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 6.04
Transfer of funds ............................................................................................................ 6.07, 6.08
BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS
Maintenance of buildings; authority ...................................................................................... 1.02
Materials; building authority .................................................................................................. 1.02
Occupancy, authority .............................................................................................................. 1.02
BUILDINGS, PUBLIC
Public buildings. ...................................................................................................................... 7.01
BUSINESS REGULATIONS
Authority to regulate ............................................................................................................... 1.02
CERTIFICATION
Certificate of commission ................................................................................................... App. A
Certificate of indebtedness .................................................................................................. 6.17(b)
Certified public accountant audit ............................................................................................ 6.14
CITY ATTORNEY
Appointment ............................................................................................................................ 5.04
Sign ordinances .................................................................................................................. .3.07(b)
CITY CLERK
Administrative officers ............................................................................................................ 5.04
Attest ordinances ................................................................................................................. 3.07(b)
Charter distribution .................................................................................................... 12.10, 12.22
Election notices. ..................................................................................................................... .4.02
Notice of election winners ...................................................................................................... 4.08
Records ................................................................................................................................ 3.07(b)
Secretary of council ........................................................................................................ 3.02, 5.04
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:3 St. Louis Park City Code
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CITY COUNCIL
Adjournment if no quorum ...................................................................................................... 3.03
Administration limitations.............................................................................................. 2.01, 2.09
Approval of contracts .............................................................................................................. 5.05
Assessments......................................................................................................... 7.03, 7.04, 11.05
At large members .................................................................................................................... 2.03
Audits ............................................................................................................................. 2.08, 6.14
Canvass of elections and taking of office................................................................................ 4.08
City equipment and facilities................................................................................................. 12.21
City use of utilities ................................................................................................................ 10.04
Civil Penalties ....................................................................................................................... 11.05
Compensation .......................................................................................................................... 2.07
Composition ............................................................................................................................ 2.03
Control generally ..................................................................................................................... 2.01
Council-manager plan ............................................................................................................. 2.01
Council members
Absence ................................................................................................................................ 2.05
Administrative restrictions ................................................................................................... 2.09
At large ................................................................................................................................. 2.03
Attendance ........................................................................................................................... 3.01
Candidate .................................................................................................................... 2.03, 4.06
Death .................................................................................................................................... 2.05
Expenses ........................................................................................................................... 2.07(b)
Failure to perform duties or quality. .................................................................................... 2.05
Financial disclosure, filing ...................................................................................... 12.06 et seq.
Gifts and favors .................................................................................................................. 12.20
Mayor vote .......................................................................................................................... 2.06
Moving out of ward .............................................................................................................. 2.03
New members .............................................................................................................. 2.03, 2.05
Qualifications .............................................................................................................. 2.03, 2.04
Removal from ward .............................................................................................................. 2.05
Resignation ........................................................................................................................... 2.05
Salaries ............................................................................................................................. 2.07(a)
Term ..................................................................................................................................... 2.03
Violation .............................................................................................................................. 2.09
Voting ................................................................................................................................... 3.01
Election .................................................................................................................................... 2.03
Expenses .............................................................................................................................. 2.07(b)
Favors .................................................................................................................................... 12.20
Financial control ...................................................................................................................... 6.01
Gifts and favors ..................................................................................................................... 12.20
Improvements .......................................................................................................................... 7.03
Investigation ............................................................................................................................ 2.08
Journal ............................................................................................................................ 3.02, 3.03
Meetings
Dates prescribed by resolution ............................................................................................. 3.01
Legislation ................................................................................................................. 3.04 et seq.
See: ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
Location ............................................................................................................................... 3.01
Minutes of meeting ..................................................................................................... 3.01, 3.02
Number ................................................................................................................................. 3.01
Public ................................................................................................................................... 3.01
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:4 St. Louis Park City Code
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Rules of procedure and quorum ........................................................................................... 3.03
Special meetings .................................................................................................................. 3.01
Nominations and elections ........................................................................................... 4.01 et seq.
See: ELECTIONS
Notices, giving ........................................................................................................................ 3.07
Powers and authority ...................................................................................................... 1.04, 2.01
Creating departments/offices ...................................................................................... 5.03, 5.04
Presiding officer ...................................................................................................................... 2.06
Publications ............................................................................................................................. 3.07
Quorum .................................................................................................................................... 3.03
Residency ................................................................................................................................ 2.03
Salaries ........................................................................................................................... 2.07, 6.11
Secretary .................................................................................................................................. 3.02
Special assessments ................................................................................................................. 7.03
Subpoena ................................................................................................................................. 2.08
Surveys and research ............................................................................................................... 2.08
Use of proceeds of real property sale .................................................................................... 11.01
Vacancies ................................................................................................................................ 2.05
Voting ...................................................................................................................................... 3.04
Ward boundaries ..................................................................................................................... 2.03
CITY MANAGER
Accounting officer ...................................................................................................... 5.02(g), 6.14
Administrative duties from council ......................................................................................... 2.09
Annual budget ......................................................................................................................... 6.04
Annual statements ................................................................................................................... 6.14
Appointment, suspension, etc. ................................................................................................. 5.01
Budget enforcement ................................................................................................... 6.06, 6.16(b)
Chief administrative officer .................................................................................................... 5.01
Chief purchasing agent ............................................................................................................ 5.05
Compensation .................................................................................................................................
Council and mayor salaries set by ordinance ....................................................................... 2.07
Contracts .................................................................................................................................. 5.05
Council direction ..................................................................................................................... 2.01
Council-manager plan ............................................................................................................. 2.01
Council members; prohibition ........................................................................................ 2.04, 2.09
Discharge ................................................................................................................................. 5.01
Duties, generally ...................................................................................................................... 5.02
Financial statement .................................................................................................................. 6.14
Interference with administration ............................................................................................. 2.09
Investigation of city affairs ..................................................................................................... 2.08
Not to be secretary of council ................................................................................................. 3.02
Planning enforcement .............................................................................................................. 7.01
Powers and duties .................................................................................................................... 5.02
Qualifications .......................................................................................................................... 5.01
Rates of city utilities .............................................................................................................. 10.02
Reports .................................................................................................................................... 6.14
Salary ................................................................................................................................... 2.07(c)
Sign contracts .......................................................................................................................... 5.05
Sign ordinances ................................................................................................................... 3.07(b)
The mayor ................................................................................................................................ 2.06
Vacancies in the council .......................................................................................................... 2.05
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:5 St. Louis Park City Code
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CITY TREASURER
Accounts and reports ............................................................................................................... 6.14
Administrative officers ............................................................................................................ 5.04
Levy and Collection of Taxes ................................................................................................. 6.09
Receipts ................................................................................................................................... 6.13
Tax Settlement with County .................................................................................................... 6.10
CODE OF ETHICS
Campaign reports .................................................................................................................. 12.06
Conflicts
Financial conflicts of associates of public officials; contracts and transactions voidable. .. .12.19
Personal financial conflicts of public officials .................................................................. 12.18
Contributions ......................................................................................................................... 12.04
Use of contributions ........................................................................................................... 12.05
Declaration of policy ............................................................................................................. 12.01
Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 12.02
Distribution................................................................................................................. 12.10, 12.22
Exclusions ............................................................................................................................. 12.14
Family interests ..................................................................................................................... 12.13
Filing of information ............................................................................................................. 12.12
Gifts and favors ..................................................................................................................... 12.20
Notice of failure to file .......................................................................................................... 12.08
Penalty ........................................................................................................................ 12.11, 12.17
Personal campaign committees, organizing .......................................................................... 12.03
Records
Campaign committee.......................................................................................................... 12.07
Keeping on file ................................................................................................................... 12.16
Termination report................................................................................................................. 12.09
Time of required filing .......................................................................................................... 12.15
Use of city equipment and facilities ...................................................................................... 12.21
CONDEMNATION. See: EMINENT DOMAIN
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. See: CODE OF ETHICS
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Authority ........................................................................................................................ 1.02, 5.05
Conditional sales ..................................................................................................................... 6.18
Conflicts. .................................................................................................................... 12.18, 12.19
Construction contracts ............................................................................................................. 5.06
Favors .................................................................................................................................... 12.20
How let .................................................................................................................................... 5.06
Over $25,000.00 ............................................................................................................. 5.05, 5.06
Public works ............................................................................................................................ 7.05
Purchasing and contracting ..................................................................................................... 5.05
Signing ..................................................................................................................................... 5.05
Utility leasing ........................................................................................................................ 10.05
Voidable ..................................................................................................................... 12.18, 12.19
CORPORATE LIMITS
Powers of city outside ............................................................................................................. 1.02
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:6 St. Louis Park City Code
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COUNCIL. See: CITY COUNCIL
DAMAGING, DEFACING PROPERTY, ETC.
Damage suits ......................................................................................................................... 11.03
DEPARTMENTS OF CITY
Departments of administration ................................................................................................ 5.03
EASEMENTS
Acquisition .............................................................................................................................. 8.01
EFFECTIVE DATE
Charter ..................................................................................................................................... 1.05
ELECTIONS
Council members ..................................................................................................................... 2.03
Nominations and elections
Canvass of elections and taking of office ............................................................................ 4.08
General election laws to apply ............................................................................................. 4.01
Judges of election ................................................................................................................. 4.05
Nomination by petition ........................................................................................................ 4.06
Nomination petitions ............................................................................................................ 4.07
Primary elections .................................................................................................................. 4.03
Regular municipal election .................................................................................................. 4.02
Special elections ................................................................................................................... 4.04
Wards
Boundary changes ................................................................................................................ 2.03
Council members elections .................................................................................................. 2.03
Description ........................................................................................................................... 2.03
Redistricting ......................................................................................................................... 2.03
EMINENT DOMAIN
City may abandon proceedings ............................................................................................... 8.04
City may acquire entire plant .................................................................................................. 8.05
Payment of award .................................................................................................................... 8.03
Power to acquire property ....................................................................................................... 8.01
Proceedings in acquiring property ........................................................................................... 8.02
EMPLOYEES. See: OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
FINANCE. See: TAXATION AND FINANCE
FRANCHISES
Acceptance .............................................................................................................................. 9.02
Authority ................................................................................................................................. 1.02
Defined .................................................................................................................................... 9.01
Emergency ordinance ..................................................................................................... 3.06, 9.02
Eminent domain ...................................................................................................................... 8.05
Extension ................................................................................................................................. 9.02
Ordinances ............................................................................................................................... 9.02
Public hearing .......................................................................................................................... 9.02
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:7 St. Louis Park City Code
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GOVERNMENT
Council-manager form of government .................................................................................... 2.01
LICENSES AND PERMITS
General authority ..................................................................................................................... 1.02
MANAGER. See: CITY MANAGER
MAYOR
Ceremonial head of city .......................................................................................................... 2.06
Compensation .......................................................................................................................... 2.07
Disability ................................................................................................................................. 2.06
Duties ...................................................................................................................................... 2.06
Duty to redetermine ward boundaries ..................................................................................... 2.03
Elected at large ........................................................................................................................ 2.03
Election, term .......................................................................................................................... 2.03
Generally ................................................................................................................................. 2.06
Martial law duties .................................................................................................................... 2.06
Mayor pro tem ................................................................................................................ 2.03, 2.06
Service of papers ..................................................................................................................... 2.06
Sign controls ............................................................................................................................ 5.05
Sign ordinance ..................................................................................................................... 3.07(b)
Term ........................................................................................................................................ 2.03
Voting ............................................................................................................................. 2.06, 3.01
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Civil Penalties ....................................................................................................................... 11.05
Civil service commission ...................................................................................................... 11.04
Damage suits ......................................................................................................................... 11.03
Sale of real property .............................................................................................................. 11.01
Vacation of streets ................................................................................................................. 11.02
NAME OF CITY ...................................................................................................................... 1.01
NEWSPAPERS
Official publications regulated by ordinance ...................................................................... 3.07(a)
NOMINATIONS
Nominations and elections ........................................................................................... 4.01 et seq.
See: ELECTIONS
NOTICES, PUBLIC
Election .................................................................................................................................... 4.02
Levy of additional tax ............................................................................................................. 6.02
Minutes, resolutions, administrative rules and regulations ..................................................... 3.07
Person responsible for damage .............................................................................................. 11.03
Primary elections ..................................................................................................................... 4.03
Special elections ...................................................................................................................... 4.04
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:8 St. Louis Park City Code
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OATH, AFFIRMATION, SWEAR OR SWORN
Oath of office .......................................................................................................................... 2.03
Elections, filing .................................................................................................................... 4.08
Investigations by council...................................................................................................... 2.08
Officers................................................................................................................................. 5.04
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Appointed offices
Disqualification .................................................................................................................... 2.04
Appointments
Attorney. .......................................................................................................................... 5.04(a)
Clerk and treasurer ........................................................................................................... 5.04(a)
Council vacancy ................................................................................................................... 2.05
Council members ................................................................................................................. 2.04
Disqualification .................................................................................................................... 2.04
Manager ..................................................................................................................... 2.04, 5.01
Secretary of council ................................................................................................ 3.02, 5.04(a)
Subordinate officers ......................................................................................................... 5.04(a)
City council .................................................................................................................. 2.03 et seq.
See: CITY COUNCIL
City officers not to accept favors or contracts ................................................ 12.18, 12.19, 12.20
Civil service commission ...................................................................................................... 11.04
Council-manager plan ............................................................................................................. 2.01
Elected officers ........................................................................................................................ 2.03
Interference with administration by council............................................................................ 2.09
Investigation of city affairs by council .................................................................................... 2.08
Local boards and commissions................................................................................................ 2.02
Mayor ...................................................................................................................................... 2.06
See also that subject
Merit system; establishment .................................................................................................. 11.04
Nominations and elections ........................................................................................... 4.01 et seq.
See: ELECTIONS
Oath of office .......................................................................................................................... 5.04
Officers .................................................................................................................................... 5.04
Secretary of council ................................................................................................................. 3.02
Vacancies ................................................................................................................................ 2.05
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
Adoption by reference ......................................................................................................... 3.07(d)
Council and mayor salaries set by ordinance .......................................................................... 2.07
Legislation
Amendment and repeal of ordinances .................................................................................. 3.09
Emergency ordinances ......................................................................................................... 3.06
Ordinance, resolutions and motions ..................................................................................... 3.04
Procedure on ordinances ...................................................................................................... 3.05
Publication of minutes, resolutions, administrative rules and regulations .......................... 3.07
Signing and publication of ordinances ................................................................................. 3.07
When ordinances and resolutions take effect ...................................................................... 3.08
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:9 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS - continued
Motions
Generally .............................................................................................................................. 3.04
Publication ........................................................................................................................... 3.07
Votes required ...................................................................................................................... 3.04
Official publications regulated by ordinance ...................................................................... 3.07(a)
Publication ............................................................................................................................... 3.07
When ordinances take effect ................................................................................................... 3.08
PETITIONS
Nominations by petition ............................................................................................... 4.06 et seq.
See: ELECTIONS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Civil service commission ...................................................................................................... 11.04
Emergency command by mayor .............................................................................................. 2.06
POWERS AND CONSTRUCTION
Powers of city
Discretionary powers vested in city council ........................................................................ 2.01
Implied powers ..................................................................................................................... 1.02
Investigation of city affairs ..................................................................................................... 2.08
PREAMBLE .............................................................................................................................. 1.00
PROPERTY
Acquisition .............................................................................................................................. 8.01
Civil Penalties ....................................................................................................................... 11.05
Sale of real property .............................................................................................................. 11.01
PUBLICATIONS
Publication of minutes, resolutions, administrative rules and regulations .............................. 3.07
PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING
Contracts, how let .................................................................................................................... 5.06
Installment purchases .............................................................................................................. 6.18
Inter-fund loans ....................................................................................................................... 6.12
Official publications ............................................................................................................ 3.07(a)
Purchases and contracts ........................................................................................................... 5.05
RECORDS
Minutes
Council ................................................................................................................................. 3.01
Secretary of council ............................................................................................................. 3.02
Public records; keeping ........................................................................................................... 3.02
STATE LAWS
Application of general laws..................................................................................................... 1.04
Charter a public act ................................................................................................................. 1.05
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:10 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Grading and improving
City Plan ............................................................................................................................... 7.01
Regulate and control the use of the streets
Powers of city ....................................................................................................................... 1.02
Vacation of streets ................................................................................................................. 11.02
SUCCESSION
City to succeed to rights and obligations of former municipality ........................................... 1.03
SUITS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS
Damage suits ................................................................................................................ 1.02, 11.03
Injuries; suits ......................................................................................................................... 11.03
SURVEYS, MAPS AND PLATS
Platting .................................................................................................................................... 7.01
TAXATION AND FINANCE
Accounting methods ................................................................................................................ 6.14
Accounts and reports ............................................................................................................... 6.14
Alterations in the budget ......................................................................................................... 6.07
Annual budget ............................................................................................................ 6.04, 6.16(b)
See: BUDGET
Board of equalization .............................................................................................................. 6.03
Bonds and debt limit ............................................................................................................... 6.15
Bonds outside the debt limit .................................................................................................... 6.18
Conflicts ..................................................................................................................... 12.18, 12.19
Council to control finances ..................................................................................................... 6.01
Debt and tax anticipation certificates ...................................................................................... 6.17
City Treasurer ................................................................................................................. 6.09, 6.10
Disbursements; how made ....................................................................................................... 6.11
Emergency appropriation in budget ........................................................................................ 6.08
Enforcement of the budget ...................................................................................................... 6.06
Form and repayment of bonds ................................................................................................. 6.16
Funds ....................................................................................................................................... 6.12
Levy and collection of taxes .................................................................................................... 6.09
Local improvements and assessments
Authority generally ..................................................................................................... 1.02, 7.03
Bonds ....................................................................................................................................... 6.18
City plan .................................................................................................................................. 7.01
Enforcement of city plan ...................................................................................................... 7.02
Contracts .................................................................................................................................. 7.05
Fund ......................................................................................................................................... 6.12
Local improvements ................................................................................................................ 7.04
Ordinance ................................................................................................................................ 7.04
Public improvements and special assessments ........................................................................ 7.03
Public works; how performed ................................................................................................. 7.05
Revolving fund ........................................................................................................................ 6.18
Special assessment authority ................................................................................................... 1.02
Special assessment fund ................................................................................................. 6.12, 6.18
The city plan ............................................................................................................................ 7.01
Enforcement of city plan ...................................................................................................... 7.02
Supp. No. 22 (07-12) CHTi:11 St. Louis Park City Code
HOME RULE CHARTER
TAXATION AND FINANCE - continued
When ordinances and resolutions take effect ...................................................................... 3.08
Passage of the budget .............................................................................................................. 6.05
Power of taxation .................................................................................................................... 6.02
Preparation of annual budget................................................................................................... 6.04
Receipts to go to city treasurer ................................................................................................ 6.13
Tax settlement with county ..................................................................................................... 6.10
UTILITIES
Acquisition
Powers of city ....................................................................................................................... 1.02
Proceedings in acquiring ...................................................................................................... 8.02
Bonds ....................................................................................................................................... 6.18
Building ................................................................................................................................. 10.01
City purchases in bulk ........................................................................................................... 10.03
City use .................................................................................................................................. 10.04
Easements ................................................................................................................................ 8.01
Election ....................................................................................................................... 10.01, 10.06
Eminent domain ...................................................................................................................... 8.05
Favors .................................................................................................................................... 12.20
Franchises ................................................................................................................................ 9.02
Fund ..................................................................................................................................... 6.12(f)
Lease operations .................................................................................................................... 10.05
Planning ................................................................................................................................... 7.02
Public ownership and operation of utilities
City to pay for services ...................................................................................................... 10.04
Construction, acquisition and operation of utilities ........................................................... 10.01
Lease of plant ..................................................................................................................... 10.05
Public utility; how sold ...................................................................................................... 10.06
Purchase in bulk ................................................................................................................. 10.03
Rates and finances .............................................................................................................. 10.02
Public utilities; authority ................................................................................. 1.02, 8.01, 10.01
Public utility fund ................................................................................................................ 6.12(f)
Public Works
Authority .............................................................................................................................. 1.02
How performed .................................................................................................................... 7.05
Planning ............................................................................................................................... 7.01
Rates and charges ....................................................................................................... 10.02, 10.04
Regulation ............................................................................................................................. 10.01
Sale of city ............................................................................................................................. 10.06
VILLAGE
Powers transferred ................................................................................................................... 1.02
Rights go to city ...................................................................................................................... 1.03
WRITS, WARRANTS AND OTHER PROCESSES
Process; service upon mayor ................................................................................................... 2.06
ZONING
Zoning, city plan ...................................................................................................................... 7.01