VII.5. 2024 Charter Commission Update; Domeier
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Date: April 16, 2024
Subject: 2024 Charter Commission Update
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
To provide the City Council with an update on proposed 2024 Charter Commission
discussions and potential City Charter amendments.
INFORMATION
For 2024, staff is recommending the following items be reviewed by the Charter
Commission:
Sec. 2.03. - Elected officials. The mayor’s term is two years, and the four
council members terms are four years each. Staff has received inquiries from
residents along with previous and former council members about the length of
the mayor’s term. To be consistent with the council members’ terms, staff is
proposing that the Charter Commission consider amending the Charter to also
have the mayor serve a four-year term.
The LMC has shared the data on Mayor’s terms. The statistics provided are
based on 855 self-reported cities.
o 434 MN cities have 2-year terms for Mayor
o 30 out of 107 MN home rule cities have 2-year terms for Mayor
Sec. 4.01. - Municipal elections. Since 1995, the regular election has been held
on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd numbered years.
To increase voter turnout, implement cost savings, streamline election
administration, and align election dates with state and federal elections, staff is
proposing that the Charter Commission consider amending the Charter such that
the regular city election be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of even numbered years.
The LMC has shared the data on municipal elections. The statistics provided are
based on 855 self-reported cities.
o 18 MN cities have odd-year elections
o 10 out of the 18 MN Cites are home rule cities with odd-year elections
Administration
Staff reviewed the City of Hopkins odd-year election data for the past 10 years.
For the 6 elections held between 2013 and 2023, the averages are as follows:
o Turnout: per election 17.5%
o Cost per election: $60,233
Sec. 4.02. - Candidates. The current language for candidate filing procedures is
not consistent with MN State Statutes 205.13, subd. 1a and 205A.06, subd. 1a.
To align with the process and dates outlined in state statute, staff is proposing
that the Charter Commission consider amending the Charter so an eligible voter
of the city may file for election in the manner prescribed by law.
In addition, Staff is also proposing language be added related to write-in
candidates. The current write-in vote counting process is overly time consuming
and unnecessary. Staff would propose adding language that a write-in candidate
for mayor or city council who wants their write-in votes to be counted in the
general election must file a written request with the city clerk no later than seven
days before the general election. All write-in votes cast for candidates who have
not filed a written request to have these votes counted shall be treated
collectively as votes for a single candidate.
Sec. 6.06. – Purchases and Contracts. The current language is not consistent
with the Legislative Policy Manual section 6-A on Purchasing. Policy 6-A was
updated in January 2024. Staff would propose changes to the City Charter
allowing City Council to regulate the City Manager’s powers over purchasing
through the Legislative Policy Manual.
Chapter 7 – Taxation and Finances. The current language is outdated and not
consistent with current practices. Major changes would be to remove references
to a board of equalization made up of City Council and to grant the City Manager
budgetary control within each fund.
FUTURE ACTION
Staff anticipates future action from the City Council on these items in the upcoming
year. The process to amend the City Charter by ordinance according MN Statutes
Section 410.12 is attached.
Process for Amending the Charter by Ordinance
According to MN Statute, Section 410.12
First Charter
Commission Meeting
Charter amendments considered
Second Charter
Commission Meeting
Approve Resolution recommending
that the City Council adopt
ordinance amending Charter
Charter
Commission
Resolution
Ordinance
Amending
City Charter
City Council Approves Resolution
Accepting Ordinance, authorizing
publication, ordering public hearing
(within 30 days of receiving
Commission recommendation)
City Council Resolution
Ordinance published in
official city newspaper
Public Hearing at
City Council Meeting
Must be held at least 2 weeks, but
less than 1 month, from date of
publication
City Council
Votes on Ordinance
1st & 2nd readings
(approval must take place
within 1 month of public
hearing and be approved
unanimously)
No
Ordinance
returned to
Charter
Commission
Yes
Ordinance
published in
official city
newspaper
Petition requesting
referendum on
ordinance filed with
City Clerk within
60 days of
publication
No
Yes
Ordinance
takes effect 90
days after
publication
Ordinance will
not take effect
until approved
by voters