04-12-2012 Charter Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CiTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS - MN STATUTES 410.12 January 2012 Proposals to amend a charter can be made by: • Council recommendation • Citizen petition • Charter Commission recommendation Charter amendments can be approved by: • Election • Ordinance For 2012 election year, proposals to amend a charter must be submitted no later than July 10, 2012. County Auditor must be notified of title and Language of all questions to be placed on the November 6, 2012 ballot no later than 5 pm , August 17, 2012. Actions/Approvals must be planned accordingly. PROCEDURE FOR AMENDMENT BY COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION: • Council adopts ordinance proposing the amendment • Council submits ordinance to Charter Commission for review • Charter Commission has 60 days for review (may be extended by the commission an additional 90 days by filing a resolution determining that additional time is necessary with the City Clerk) • Charter Commission either approves, rejects, or suggests substitute amendment • Charter Commission notifies Council of their action • Council may drop amendment OR adopt resolution calling for election to approve: o Proposed amendment as it was originally proposed OR o The Charter Commission's substitute amendment • If a resolution calling for election is adopted, Language of the ballot question is determined by the Council. The question must identify the amendment clearly and distinguish the question from other questions on the same ballot. PROCEDURE FOR AMENDMENT BY CiTIZEN PETITION: • Citizens circulate petition stating the proposed amendment to the charter o Petitions must be uniform in character and must state the proposed amendment to the charter in full o if amendment is larger than 1,000 words, a true and correct copy must be filed with the City Clerk, and the petition will contain a summary (between 50 and 300 words) setting forth the "substance and nature" of the proposed amendment. o When a summary is used, that summary (along with a copy of the proposed amendment) must be first submitted to the Charter Commission for its approval as to form and substance. The commission has 10 days to return the summary with any modifications necessary to fairly comply with these requirements. • Petition must be submitted at least 17 weeks prior to the general election and must be reviewed by the City Clerk for sufficiency. • If determined to be sufficient, the commission must submit the petition to popular vote. o Amendment goes to the City Clerk, who notifies the Council. o Council places amendment on ballot for voter approval o NOTE: Council may not refuse to submit or change the amendment as long as it is constitutional. A City Council does not need to submit an unconstitutional charter amendment or an amendment that violates state or federal law to the voters. • Language of the ballot question is determined by the Council. The question must identify the amendment clearly and distinguish the question from other questions on the same ballot. Page 1 Anoka County Elections and Voter Registration - January 2012