Agenda Packets - 1988/05/02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Conference for Newly Elected New city officials learn about the job Debra Nyberg With elections over, newly elected officials now face the task of govern ng their cities. To aid in this task, officials heard from other officials on topics relating to cities at a conference. The League of Mhmesota Cities sponsored thethe conference on February 6. hTh88 in Minneamorning session included Ares* enlations on personal fiabd tY and con interest, o[ interest, the open meeting law and data practices act, and the powers Of city cowls. George Hoff, a partner in the Eden prairie law firm Hoff cnd Allen, cau- tioned that personal liability and conflict of interest are extremely broad. In the area of conflict of interest, Hoff said ® \ Partial_ Ps listen iste ;reresehlers Goad. 1988 conference for Nc;�ly Elected municipal officials should not personally benefit from the elected position, except for the salary they receive. The Legislature has defined the contract situation, but the courts judge the non- contract situation on a case -by -case basis. As for personal liability, Hoff explained new laws are taking ect constantly and described this area as being "extremely slippery." In addressing the open meeting, law, attorney Timothy Kunz said that the final word is always contact your attor- ney when in doubt." Kunz, who is a partner in the law firm LeVander, Gillen, Miller, Anderson and Kunz, said city officials must examine the spirit of the law to make sure the city is following it. s The Legislature, Kunz explained, always reviewing the open meeting law attempting to balance open government with the rights of individuals. act, Kunz To explain the data privacy data. said thus covers all government the Forty pages of statutes slit law. The three competing interests involved are tl:e public's rigl .o know, privacy of the individual, ari the effi- 1 dent running of gove:rne The law attempts to balance these interests. Q° Michael McCauley, city attorney for the city of Mankato, addressed the powers of city councsls. "Cities are creatures of the state of Minnesota," he explained, adding a city has no more or no less power than the state allows. McCauley outl ned the "laundry list" Of cities and explained the difference between statutory and home rule charter cities. During the noon luncheon, Donald Slater, executive director of the LMC, Mayora,,d Golden Valley son addressed thegroupMSlater out fined the services the League provides to members and Anderson addressed iI survival tactics for the newly elected. In the afternoon session, officials broke into smaller groups to discuss IS the azeas of budgeting and fimce, planning, and personnel and labor relations. ■ Minnesota Cities 18