City Council

Resources to help newly elected city officials prepare for their new roles in city government.

Find out what records should be in a personnel file, and which should be in other special types of files.

Minnesota law provides for two basic types of cities: statutory cities operating under the statutory city code, and home rule…

City authority to regulate various activities city comes from state law. Learn about activities cities most commonly regulate and license.

Understand the basic concepts in licensing such as city authority, constitutional issues, preemption and limitation and fees.

Understand the authority to form a home rule charter city, charter city powers and the ways it may be organized.

Understand the council’s role, including eligibility for office, council powers versus individual council member roles, and delegation of council power.

The COVID-19 public health emergency requires cities to make alternative meeting plans and still comply with the Open Meeting Law.

Learn important meeting concepts like the open meeting law, taking meeting minutes, and scheduling and conducting meetings.

Learn about the different kinds of local government such as cities, towns, counties, and their relationship to state and federal…