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Charter differs from State law <br />• General rule: State law wins to the extent <br />the charter provision is in conflict with <br />State's policy <br />• City attorney should advise whether a <br />conflict exists <br />oA.G. opinions or case law? <br />o Detectible policy that applies for all cities? <br />Powers of a city <br />• Statutory cities can <br />only adopt <br />ordinances when <br />authorized by state <br />law to do so. <br />• Home rule charter <br />cities can adopt <br />ordinances on all <br />appropriate <br />subjects unless <br />prohibited by law. <br />Disadvantages <br />• Costly <br />• Applicability of statutes, court <br />rulings and AG Opinions Tess <br />clear <br />• Skillful drafting harder with <br />fewer resources <br />• Amendments/abandonment <br />time-consuming, complicated, <br />difficult to pass <br />Do Charter Cities have to follow... <br />• Statutory City law (Minn. Stat. Ch 412) <br />• Planning & Zoning law (Minn. Stat. §§ 462.351- <br />.365) <br />• Special assessments law (M.S. Ch. 429) <br />• Criminal code (M.S. Ch. 609) <br />• Charter law (M.S. Ch. 410.04-.33) <br />• Clean Indoor Air Act (M.S. §§ 144.411-.417) <br />Advantages <br />• Local solution for local issues <br />• Encourages an informed <br />electorate <br />• As simple or complex as city <br />needs <br />• May provide for initiative, <br />referendum, recall, and election <br />of council by wards <br />How did we get a Charter? <br />• City residents or local clubs expressed <br />interest in a Charter <br />• Cf. Judge of district court appointed <br />Charter Commission <br />• Draft submitted to clerk, council <br />• Charter voted on by public <br />in an election <br />4 <br />