HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-088 Council ResolutionCITY OF LINO LAKES
RESOLUTION NO. 14-88
RESOLUTION DECLINING SUBMISSION OF
PETITION FOR INLCUSION ON THE BALLOT
WHEREAS, under the City's Charter, the people of Lino Lakes reserve the right to propose
ordinances through initiatives and referendums; and
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2014, a committee of Lino Lakes voters submitted a petition to put an
ordinance on the general election ballot, which the City Clerk determined to be sufficient by having
the required number of signatures in accordance with Section 5.03 of the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the petition proposes an ordinance that would require voter approval for withdrawal
from the Centennial Fire District; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota courts have consistently ruled against initiatives and referendums that
interfere with city councils' exercise of discretion in administrative matters; and
WHEREAS, these court decisions have recognized that the power of initiative to annul or delay
executive conduct would destroy the efficient and successful administration of municipal affairs;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council's resolution to withdraw from the Centennial Fire District was
administrative in nature and not legislative; and
WHEREAS, the petition seeks to annul the Council's authority over this administrative matter and
is, therefore, invalid.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes that the
Council declines to submit the petition to Anoka County for placement on the ballot in view of the
fact that it is an invalid petition.
Approved by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes this 11th day of August 2014.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Council Member
IRa-14,x,,-11 and was duly seconded by Council Member 1-}0e5-), and upon vote being
taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
`R &- ,A.t-1-ii, 5-1-o e s z, RD es t, -14 s -f -e r
The following voted against same:
ATTEST:
J s i. a Bartell, City C -rk
Jeff Reinert, a or
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM 3B
STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson
MEETING DATE: August 11, 2014
TOPIC: Resolution Declining Submission of Petition
VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5
INTRODUCTION
The Council will be considering a resolution declining submission of a petition to the general
election ballot.
BACKGROUND
On July 29, 2014, a committee of firefighters and Lino Lakes voters submitted a petition to put
an ordinance on the general election ballot that would require voter approval for withdrawal
from the Centennial Fire District.
In accordance with the City Charter, City Clerk Julie Bartell immediately began the process if
verifying the signatures to determine the sufficiency of the petition. Ms. Bartell completed that
process last week and determined that 745 of the 880 signatures submitted were valid. To
make an initiative, the City Charter requires that at least five percent of registered voters sign
the petition. In this case, 601 signatures were needed.
City Attorney Joe Langel was asked to review the petition to determine whether it was a proper
use of the initiative power granted by the City's Charter and Minnesota Statutes, Section
410.20. Mr. Langel found that Minnesota courts have consistently ruled against initiatives and
referendums that interfere with city councils' exercise of discretion in administrative matters.
Mr. Langel said the City Council's resolution to withdraw from the Centennial Fire District
was administrative in nature and not legislative. Because the petition seeks to annul the
Council's authority over this administrative matter, Mr. Langel stated that the petition was
invalid. He recommended that the Council not forward the petition to Anoka County for
placement on the ballot.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 14-88. declining submission of petition for inclusion on the ballot.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 14-88