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Search Results for: Governing Managing

1. Acquisition and Maintenance of City Streets Published May 28, 2013
   This memo outlines what cities must do to establish and finance new city streets as well as maintain existing street infrastructure. It includes design and construction standards, procedures to open streets, and definitions of the parts of a street and different types of streets. It also provides links to model street maintenance policies and ordinances regulating others who want to work in your rights-of-way. (Revised 5/2013)
2. Administrative Traffic Citations Tool Kit Published Jul 10, 2009
   This tool kit provides information for cities wanting to enforce the authority to exercise administrative citations. The tool kit contains a model resolution, answers to frequently asked questions, a checklist to use as guidance, and more.
3. Animal Regulation in Cities Published Apr 22, 2013
   Find out how cities may regulate and control pets, farm animals, exotic animals, and newly popular hobbies of keeping bees or chickens. Learn approaches to common problems such as dangerous dogs, dogs running at large, barking, and feral cats. Animal health and safety laws. Animal fighting. Owner rights and responsibilities. (Revised 4/2013)
4. Calendar of Important Dates Published Jan 10, 2013
   Handy reference to some of the significant dates in the business year for cities. Includes election dates. (Revised 1/2013)
5. Calendar of Important Election Dates Published Jun 13, 2013
   Provides city officials a reference to some of the more significant dates in their business year. Primarily designed for statutory cities but many items also apply to home rule cities. Items that apply to statutory cities only are generally designated as such. Other items apply to all cities in most cases. (Revised 6/2013)
6. Cemetery Regulations Published Jan 12, 2011
   Learn about the legal requirements and issues associated with municipal cemetery establishment, maintenance and care. Contains links to LMC model ordinances establishing a city cemetery and regulating its maintenance and use; establishing a permanent care and improvement fund, and a cemetery lot agreement. (Revised 1/2011)
7. City Administration: Clerk, Administrator and Manager Published Apr 30, 2012
   Learn the similarities and differences between the city clerk, city administrator and city manager positions. Understand the duties and responsibilities of each and the different forms of government under which they exist. This information helps councils decide how to best distribute responsibilities to achieve the appropriate balance between the elected leadership, who represent the voters, and professional management. (Revised 04/2012)
8. City Deposits and Investments Published Jul 9, 2012
   Learn which depositories a city may use and how to choose one. What are FDIC insurance and other collateral considerations. Listing of permitted types of investments and their safekeeping requirements but retirement plans and relief association investing are excluded. Elements of an investment policy with a sample policy outline. Contains sample resolution designating a depository. (Revised 07/2012)
9. City Special Elections Published Sep 11, 2012
   Understand which election questions are authorized or required by state law and which are not. Procedures to call and hold special elections. How general election law applies. Form and effect of recall and other resident petitions. Elections to fill a council vacancy. Ballot form requirements. Contains sample ordinance calling for a special election at the same time as the general election.(Revised 09/2012)
10. Competitive Bidding Requirements in Cities Published Apr 30, 2012
    Find out what types and price of contracts are subject to competitive bidding, methods of best value and joint contracting, also exemptions and alternatives. Learn about preparing bid specifications, advertising, opening and investigating bids. Discusses permitted changes after bid award; when you need performance and payment bonds. Contains sample bid advertisement and outline for a Request for Proposal (RFP). (Revised 4/2012)
11. Dangerous Properties Published Feb 22, 2011
    Learn about the tools available to cities under state law to remedy unhealthy and dangerous properties such as those damaged by fire or explosion, unsecured vacant buildings, garbage houses, and otherwise hazardous buildings or excavations. Contains several model resolutions for action and a link to a model ordinance. (Revised 2/ 2011)
12. Data Practices: Analyze, Classify and Respond Published Mar 6, 2013
    Learn your responsibilities under Minnesota’s Government Data Practices Act for data your city creates or maintains. Understand how to balance the public’s right to know what their government is doing with individuals’ right to privacy in government data created and maintained about them, and the city’s need to function responsibly and efficiently. Find sample resolutions and forms to help you comply with the law. (Revised 3/2013)
13. Lawful Gambling Published Jul 13, 2012
    Learn what gambling is allowed in Minnesota, like pull-tabs and raffles, and which organizations may conduct them. Understand state regulations on lawful purposes for which gambling money may be spent, licensing, gambling managers, and more. Find out how cities can regulate gambling with “10% funds”, investigation fees, trade areas and local gambling taxes. Contains a sample ordinance and premises permit forms.(Revised 7/2012)
14. Liquor Licensing and Regulation Published Sep 18, 2012
    Learn about types of liquor licenses and what each allows; criteria that applicants and their establishments must meet for the various types of licenses. Outlines liquor licensing procedure, state and local regulations imposed on liquor license holders, and insurance and liability concerns. Discusses liquor election questions. Charts summarize fees, license numbers, who issues and approves. Sample ordinance included. (Revised 9/2012)
15. Meetings of City Councils Published Jan 28, 2013
    Learn about the open meeting law, taking meeting minutes, scheduling and conducting meetings, including use of parliamentary procedure, audience participation and regulating attendance of councilmembers. Most principles apply also to city boards, commissions and other public bodies. Includes tables of privileged, subsidiary and main motions, and links to sample council bylaws.(Revised 1/2013)
16. Newspaper Publication Published Jun 28, 2012
    Find out requirements for publishing meeting and election notices, city financial reports and actions like ordinances or advertisements for bids and more. Learn which newspapers are qualified to publish your public notices. Designating an official newspaper for your city. Saving money by using summary publication. Tips on working with the media. (Revised 6/2012)
17. Official Conflict of Interest Published Oct 4, 2012
    Learn responsibilities of city officials to avoid prohibited personal or financial benefits in contracts, which public offices may not be held simultaneously by the same person, need to disclose economic interests, and limits on gifts. Links to a code of conduct and statement of values; contains resolutions for contracting with an interested council member.(Revised 10/2012)
18. Open Burning in Cities Published Apr 30, 2012
    Understand laws that lessen fire risks to property and natural resources. Covers materials prohibited in open burning, required permits and fees, burning of leaves, burning bans, environmental concerns, and how the city can act as a fire warden. Has links to sample ordinances authorizing open burning and burning of leaves. Includes a sample recreational fire or open burning permit application. (Revised 4/2012)
19. Planning Commission Guide Published Jun 17, 2013
    Learn ways the city may create, change or discontinue a city planning commission. Provides information on appointment of members, commission powers and duties, and meeting rules. Understand council and planning commission roles in creating a comprehensive plan for growth and development; how to implement it. Ways to participate in joint or multijurisdictional planning. (Revised 6/2013)
20. Procedures for Paying City Claims Published Jun 27, 2012
    Describes the appropriate process for paying city bills as set by laws applying explicitly to all forms of statutory city government unless otherwise indicated. Learn about city authority to delegate payment of certain claims, prompt payment requirements, facsimile signatures, when council must approve payment and more. In conclusion, brief attention is given to home rule charter cities. (Revised 6/2012)
21. Public Nuisances Published Jan 14, 2010
    Defines public and private nuisances, giving common examples such as weeds, smoke, noise, animals and more. Examines tools cities can use to effectively and fairly prevent nuisances or eliminate nuisance conditions when they occur. Evaluates complaint versus inspection enforcement options. Contains a sample nuisance ordinance. (Revised 1/2010)
22. Public Purpose Expenditures Published Sep 13, 2012
    Find general criteria that must be met in order for a public expenditure to be valid such as having a public purpose and direct or implied authority in law. Specific common expenditures are analyzed for the city’s ability to make payment. Examples include donations to organizations, economic development activity, certain employee expenses and more. (Revised 9/2012).
23. Purchase and Sale of Real Property Published Jul 27, 2010
    Understand the statutory authority of cities to acquire and dispose of real estate, including by sales, purchases, and alternatives such as gifts, leases, dedication, contract for deed, lease-purchase and others. Be alert to common issues in transactions such as environmental considerations, deed restrictions, trust land, permissions to buy and sell, and more.(Revised 07/2010)
24. Railroads and Cities Published May 9, 2008
    How cities can address concerns such as train horns, quiet zones, crossing safety and train speed when a railroad runs through city limits. Learn about regulating railroad property for taxation, special assessments and maintenance. Find out which federal and state agencies regulate railroads and their roles. Roles in responding to railroad emergencies like a crash, or hazardous materials release. (Revised 3/2004).
25. Regulating Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants Published Jun 10, 2013
    Describes possible ways cities can regulate peddlers, solicitors, and transient merchants. Learn how to differentiate between the persons and practices in order to avoid legal challenges. Understand the meaning of reasonable regulations that do not violate any rights protected by the state or federal constitutions. Contains easy-to-use charts and links to a sample ordinance. (Revised 6/2013).
26. Securing Payment of Utility Charges Published Jan 26, 2012
    Information on structure of utilities, charges for service, authority for rates and regulations, meters, deposits, interest on deposits, remedies for non-payment of charges, bankruptcy proceedings, and sample ordinance, bill and notices. (Revised 1/2012).
27. Special Assessment Guide Published Sep 22, 2011
    Discusses city authority to levy special assessments for local improvements like streets, waterworks, sanitary sewer and more. It defines special assessments, gives a synopsis of the procedure, discusses challenges by property owners, levying and collecting assessments, borrowing, making corrections, and applicability to tax exempt and railroad properties. Links to complete set of forms. (Revised 9/2011).
28. Special Vehicles Operating on City Streets Published Oct 19, 2012
    Vehicles showing up on or along city streets and sidewalks include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), golf carts, mini-trucks, motorized foot scooters, pocket bikes, mini-motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and electric-assisted bicycles. Learn what traffic and vehicle regulations state and federal laws impose, and additional possible regulations cities can enact through local ordinances. (Revised 10/2012)
29. Subdivision Guide for Cities Published Jul 9, 2010
    Learn the framework of municipal subdivision regulation. Find guidance on subdivision ordinance drafting, adoption, administration and enforcement. Links to sample subdivision provisions and maps from other Minnesota cities. (Revised 7/2010).
30. Vacation of City Streets Published Jul 10, 2010
    Learn how to divest the city of dedicated public streets, alleys, and other public ways and grounds, such as dedicated parks and docks that are no longer needed. Understand steps in the formal vacation process provided by law for this purpose. Contains a checklist for action and sample resolutions for city council action. (Revised 7/2010)
31. Zoning Guide for Cities Published Sep 10, 2012
    Learn the framework of municipal zoning and basics of other land use controls available to cities that may complement or be used separately from zoning controls. Find guidance on zoning ordinance drafting, adoption, administration and enforcement. Links to sample zoning provisions and maps from other Minnesota cities. (Revised 9/2012)