III.1. Charter Commission Update; DomeierLenz
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Date: September 18, 2024
Subject: Charter Commission Update
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
Daniel Lenz, Chair of the Hopkins Charter Commission will provide the City Council with
an update on the recent Charter Commission meetings and the proposed City Charter
amendments. No formal action will be taken on this item.
INFORMATION
The Charter Commission has held meetings on May 29 and July 31 to discuss the
following amendments:
Section 2.03 – Elected Officials
Proposed language: The elected officials shall be a mayor and four council members
who shall all be qualified voters. They shall all be elected at -large. The mayor and the
four council members will shall serve for a term of two years, and the four council
members shall serve for terms of four years each. The terms of all elected officials
shall commence on January 1 and all shall serve until their successors are elected
and qualify. After the city general election, the city council shall, at their next regularly
scheduled meeting, meet as the canvassing board and declare the results of the
election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for a particular office is
elected. If the election results in a tie, then the winner should be determined by lot in the
presence of the council acting as the canvassing board.
Charter Commission Vote – Ayes: 8. Nay: 3.
Section 4.01 – Municipal Elections
Proposed language: The regular election for the choice of the elected officials of the
city shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd
numbered years beginning in 1995. The city manager shall give notice of all elections
in the manner prescribed by state law for cities of the same classification as this city,
but failure to give such notice shall not invalidate such election. The regular city
election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even
numbered years. The election is held at the place or places designated by resolution of
the city council. Notice of the election is given in the manner provided by law. Failure
to give notice of the election does not invalidate the election. The council may, by
resolution, order a special election on any question which it desires to submit to a vote
of the voters, fix the time for holding the same, and provide all means for holding such
Administration
special election. The procedure at such election shall conform as nearly as possible to
that herein provided for other municipal elections.
Section 4.02. – Candidates
Proposed language: A candidate for a city office shall file an affidavit not more than
70 days and not less than 56 days before the municipal general election with the city
clerk, or application on behalf of any qualified voter of the city whom they desire to be
a candidate may be made as per state law. In either case, The filing fee shall be
$25.00. Such affidavit or application shall state that the candidate is a qualified voter
of the city, and name the office for which he is a candidate. Any candidate may
withdraw not later than 12:00 noon of the day following the last day for filing by filing a
notice of withdrawal with the city clerk . An eligible voter of the city may file for election
in the manner prescribed by law.
The City Council must adopt a resolution requiring a write-in candidate for mayor or city
council who wants their write-in votes to be counted in the general election to file a
written request with the city clerk within the timeline established in Minnesota Statues,
section 204B.09, subdivision 3. 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.
Charter Commission Vote for Chapter 4– Ayes: 11. Nay: 0.
Section 6.06 – Purchases and Contracts
Proposed language: The city manager shall be the chief purchasing agent of the city
as provided herein. All city purchases and contracts shall be made or let by the city
manager when the amount involved does not exceed an amount established at least
annually by the city council by resolution established in the City’s Legislative Policy
Manual. All other purchases and contracts shall be reviewed and approved by the city
council. Contracts shall be made in compliance with Minnesota law, including all
applicable competitive bidding requirements. All contracts, bonds, and instruments of
any kind to which the city is a party shall be signed by the mayor and the city manager
on behalf of the city and shall be executed in the name of the city. The city council
may, by ordinance or resolution, adopt further regulations regarding the process for
the making of bids and the letting of contracts, including the further delegation of
authority to the city manager as the city council deems appropriate.
Charter Commission Vote for Chapter 6 – Ayes: 11. Nay: 0.
Sec. 7.04 – Preparation of the Annual Budget
Proposed Language: The annual budget shall provide a complete financial plan for
the budget year by fund, showing all proposed expenditures and estimates of all
anticipated revenues applicable to proposed expenditures and any other information
the council may require or the city manager may deem desirable. In parallel columns
shall be shown the budgeted amount for the, if any, granted and expended under
similar heads for the past two complete fiscal years and, as far as possible, for the
current year. The council may include or exclude at its discretion any fund, except the
general fund. The budget shall be submitted to the council at a regular council
meeting, in a manner prescribed by state statute, not less than 30 days prior to final
approval . no later than the first regular monthly meeting in September. It shall be a
public record open to public inspection. by anyone and the city manager shall cause
sufficient copies thereof to be prepared for distribution to the mayor, members of the
council and interested persons.
Sec. 7.10 – Disbursements
Proposed Language: Disbursement of city funds shall be made by a negotiable
instrument bearing the actual or authorized facsimile signature of the authorized city
officer. No disbursements shall be issued until the claim to which it relates has been
supported by an itemized bill, payroll, time -sheet, voucher or the like approved and
signed by the responsible city officer who vouches for its correctness and
reasonableness. No check shall be issued until there is money to the credit of the fund
out of which it is to be paid sufficient to pay the same. The council may by ordinance
make further regulations for the safekeeping and disbursements of the funds of the
city.
Sec 7.13 – Accounts and Reports
Proposed language: The city manager shall be the chief accounting officer of the city
and shall submit to the council a statement each month quarter containing information
relative to the finances of the city as the council may require. Each year the city
manager shall submit a report to the council, no later than June 30, covering the entire
financial operations of the city for the past year. This report shall follow the style and
form, as far as practicable, prescribed for annual city financial reports and copies will
be made available to interested parties.
Charter Commission Vote for Chapter 7 – Ayes: 11. Nays: 0.
FUTURE ACTION
Staff will provide detailed presentations on the proposed ordinances during the public
hearings. The schedule for considering the proposed ordinances:
Public Hearings and First Readings of Ordinances: October 1, 2024
Second Reading of Ordinances: October 15, 2024
If Ordinance is adopted, date of publication: October 24, 2024
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: January 22, 2025