CITY CHARTER - 2009 August - Laserfiche WebLink

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CHAPTER 2 FORM OF GOVERNMENT Section 2.01. Form of Government. The form of government established by this Charter is the "Mayor -Council Plan". Except as otherwise provided by state law or this Charter, all powers of the City are vested in the Council. Section 2.02. Boards and Commissions. There shall be no separate administrative Board of Health, Library Board, or any other administrative board or commission except for the administration of a function jointly with another political subdivision. The Council shall itself be and perform the duties and exercise the powers of such boards and commissions provided by state law. The Council may, however, establish by Ordinance Boards or commissions to advise the Council with respect to any municipal function or activity, to investigate any subject of interest to the City, or to perform quasi-judicial functions. Section 2.03. Council Composition and Election. The Council shall be composed of a Mayor and four Councilmembers who shall be qualified electors and who shall be elected at large. Councilmembers shall serve for a term of four years and/or until a successor is elected and qualifies. The Mayor shall serve for a term of two years and/or until a successor is elected and qualifies. Section 2.04. Incompatible Offices. No member of the Council shall hold any municipal office or employment through the City other than that to which elected. Further, until one year after the expiration of member's term, no Mayor or Councilmember shall be appointed or employed by the City in a compensated position which was created, or the compensation for which was increased, during member's term as Mayor or Councilmember. Section 2.05. Vacancies. A vacancy in the Council, whether it be in the office of Mayor or Councilmember, shall be deemed to exist in case of the failure of any person elected thereto to qualify, or by reason of the death, resignation in writing filed with the Clerk -Administrator, removal from office, non -residence in the City, conviction of a felony of any such person after their election, or by reason of the failure of any Councilmember without good cause to attend Council meetings for a period of three consecutive months. In each such case the Council shall by resolution declare the vacancy to exist. Section 2.06. The Mayor's Power and Duties. Subdivision 1. Subdivision 1. The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council and shall have a vote as a member. The Mayor shall be recognized as head of the City Government for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the Governor for purposes of martial law. Other than for the purposes specifically stated in this paragraph, as an individual, the Mayor shall have no administrative authority. (Amended by Ordinance 742, Adopted September 27, 2004; Filed: October 6, 2004.) Subdivision 2. Consistent with the responsibility to accept considerable leadership over the general conduct of City affairs, the Mayor may study the operations of the City Government and recommend desirable changes and improvements to the Council. The Mayor shall also deliver messages to the Council and the public, including a comprehensive message on the state of the City as soon as practicable after the beginning of each year of the Mayor's term of office. 2