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RELEVANT LINKS: <br />At some time during the meeting, often at the beginning, many city <br />834 VOICE v. Indep. seh. <br />councils establish a specific time when citizens can present concerns to the <br />Dist. No. 834,893 N.W.2d <br />council. In such an open forum, the mayor or presiding officer should <br />649 (Minn. Ct. App. 2017) <br />(upholding school board's <br />provide a limited time for each person who wishes to speak. No action <br />public speaking time <br />should be taken on any of the issues raised. Rather, if appropriate, the <br />restrictions). <br />issues should be placed on the agenda of a future council meeting. <br />When the council is going to discuss a major public issue, the bylaws, or <br />the council, by resolution, may provide a limited, specific amount of time <br />for each side to express its views. The council may also follow this <br />procedure for all items on the agenda. <br />F. Voting procedures <br />State law does not regulate the process of council voting. The council may <br />generally use whatever procedures it prefers, subject to charter provisions <br />in home rule charter cities. <br />The council's bylaws can include voting rules. Otherwise, the council may <br />use voice voting or standing voting unless a council member calls for <br />Minn. Stat. § 13D.01, subd. <br />voting by ballot. The bylaws can also set the order in which council <br />4. <br />members vote. Whether the vote is unanimous or not, the minutes must <br />record the votes of the members of the council and the vote of each member <br />must be recorded on each appropriation of money, except for payments of <br />judgments, claims, and amounts fixed by statute. <br />Mankato Free Press v. City <br />In addition, The Minnesota Court of Appeals has concluded that secret <br />of North Mankato, 563 <br />N.W.2d 291 (Minn. Ct. <br />voting violates the purposes of the open meeting law. <br />App. 1997). <br />DPO 10-011. See LMC <br />"open" The Court of Appeals reasoned that a meeting is not open to the public if <br />information memo, <br />Meetings of City Councils <br />voting is conducted in secret because it denies the public the right to <br />for more information about <br />observe the decision -making process, to know council members' stance on <br />voting. <br />issues, and to be fully informed about the councils' actions. <br />G. Role of the mayor and clerk <br />Mayors have the same powers as council members to make, second, and <br />vote on motions in statutory cities. The mayor does not have a veto, and the <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.02, subd. <br />mayor generally may not vote twice to break a tie. If there is a tie vote in <br />2a. Minn. Stat. § 412.191, <br />subd. 2. Minn. Star. § <br />filling a vacancy in elective office, however, the mayor must break the tie <br />412.121. <br />by making the appointment. The mayor presides at council meetings, and <br />See LMC information <br />memo, Role With It: <br />the clerk keeps the minutes. In the absence of the mayor, the acting mayor <br />Individual versus Council <br />must perform the mayor's duties. The acting mayor is chosen at the first <br />Authority. <br />meeting each year. <br />League of Minnesota Cities Handbook for Minnesota Cities 8/30/2022 <br />Meetings, Motions, Resolutions, and Ordinances Chapter 7 1 Page 31 <br />