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CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM 3B <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson, City Administrator <br />MEETING DATE: February 8, 2016 <br />TOPIC: Charter Commission Request for LMC Assistance <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 <br />INTRODUCTION <br />The Lino Lakes Charter Commission has requested specific assistance from the League of <br />Minnesota Cities (LMC) through its Charter Assistance Program. The League will only agree to <br />provide assistance to the Charter Commission with approval of the City Council. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 410.06, subd 1, a charter commission may obtain legal counsel <br />for charter revision or amendment. At the commission's request, the League is able to provide <br />charter services by one of its staff attorneys. <br />On January 14, 2016, the Charter Commission agreed to work with the League of Minnesota <br />Cities on a charter amendment to establish council election wards in the City. Commission <br />Chair Caroline Dahl sent a letter to the League requesting assistance for an amendment that <br />would be included on the ballot for the upcoming November election. <br />Ms. Dahl and several Charter Commission members appeared before the Council at the February <br />1st work session to explain why they were requesting assistance from LMC. In June 2014, the <br />Commission approved an amendment to create a ward system in Lino Lakes. The City Council <br />declined submission of the proposed amendment because it conflicted with state law for three <br />reasons: (1) The Commission does not have authority to determine ward boundaries; (2) the <br />amendment did not provide a window of time during which ward boundaries would be redrawn; <br />and (3) only the City Council may authorize additional charter commission expenses it deems <br />necessary. The Commission needs assistance to draft an amendment that does not conflict with <br />state law. <br />If the City Council supports this action, the League would work with the Commission to draft an <br />amendment that could be submitted to the voters for the November 8, 2016 general election. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Approval of Charter Commission's request for charter services from LMC. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />Charter Commission's Original 2014 Amendment <br />