2007 Minnesota Statutes

410.05 CHARTER COMMISSION.
    Subdivision 1. Appointment. When the district court of the judicial district in which a city
is situated, deems it for the best interest of the city so to do, the court, acting through its chief
judge, may appoint a charter commission to frame and amend a charter. Upon presentation of a
petition requesting such action, signed by at least ten percent of the number of voters of the city,
as shown by the returns of the last regular city election, or upon resolution of the governing body
of the city requesting such action, the court shall appoint a charter commission. The commission
shall be composed of not less than seven nor more than 15 members, each of whom shall be a
qualified voter of the city. The size of the commission shall be determined within the above limits
by the court, except that where the commission is appointed pursuant to a petition of the voters or
resolution of the governing body of the city, the size of the commission shall be as specified in such
petition or resolution. Any city may by charter provision fix the size of the charter commission at
a figure which shall not be less than seven nor more than 15 members, and such charter provision
shall prevail over any inconsistent provisions of this subdivision. Except as otherwise provided in
the charter, no person shall be disqualified from serving on a charter commission by reason of
holding any other elective or appointive office other than judicial. The charter may provide that
members of the governing body of the city cannot serve on the charter commission.
    Subd. 2. Commission members; terms, vacancies. Charter commission members shall hold
office for the term of four years, and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except that
of members initially appointed after July 1, 1967, eight shall be appointed for two year terms and
seven for four year terms. Vacancies in the commission shall be filled by appointment of the chief
judge for the unexpired terms. Upon the expiration of each term, the chief judge shall appoint new
commission members. If the chief judge fails to appoint new commission members within 30 days
then thereafter the governing body of the city shall, appoint new commission members, unless
within the 30 day period the chief judge indicates in writing to the governing body an intention to
appoint new members, in which case the chief judge shall have an additional 60 days within which
to make the appointment. Appointments shall be made by order filed with the court administrator
of the district court. An appointee who neglects to file with the court administrator within 30 days
a written acceptance and oath of office shall be deemed to have declined the appointment and the
place shall be filled as though the appointee had resigned. The charter commission, within 30 days
after the initial appointment of the commission, shall make rules, including quorum requirements,
with reference to its operations and procedures. The commission shall submit to the chief judge of
the district court, on or before December 31 of each year, an annual report outlining its activities
and accomplishments for the preceding calendar year. The commission shall forward a copy of
the report to the clerk of the city. Any member may be removed at any time from office, by
written order of the district court, the reason for such removal being stated in the order. When
any member has failed to perform the duties of office and has failed to attend four consecutive
meetings without being excused by the commission, the secretary of the charter commission shall
file a certificate with the court setting forth those facts and the district court shall thereupon make
its order of removal and the chief judge shall fill the vacancy created thereby.
    Subd. 3. Commission appointments; nominees. A city council, a charter commission, or
the petitioners requesting the appointment of a charter commission may submit to the court
the names of eligible nominees which the district court may consider in making appointments
to the charter commission.
    Subd. 4. Commission meetings. The charter commission shall meet at least once during
each calendar year, and upon presentation of a petition signed by at least ten percent of the
number of voters of the municipality, as shown by the returns of the last annual municipal
election, or upon resolution approved by a majority of the governing body of the city requesting
the commission to convene, the commission shall meet to consider the proposals set forth in
such petition or resolution.
    Subd. 5. Discharge. If the charter commission of a statutory city determines that a charter
is not necessary or desirable, the commission may be discharged by a vote of three-fourths of
its members. Another commission may not be formed sooner than one year from the date of
discharge.
History: (1269) RL s 749; 1909 c 423; 1913 c 535 s 1; 1949 c 210 s 1; 1959 c 305 s 5; 1961
c 608 s 1; Ex1967 c 33 s 1; 1971 c 208 s 1-3; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1976 c 44 s 20; 1979 c 330 s 3;
1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1987 c 51 s 1; 2004 c 197 s 1,2