City Council Meeting Date: August 4, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Title
Consider Amendments to Council Rules of Business and Appendices.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a resolution to approve the amendments to the attached Council Rules of Business and related Appendices going into effect August 5, 2025.
Summary Report:
The City Council conducts an annual review of the Council Rules of Business and related Appendices, making amendments as needed. Throughout the year staff notes changes to incorporate at the annual review to bring the Rules of Business up to date. Occasionally, updates that are time sensitive are brought forward for Council approval outside the annual update. A redline version of the updates is attached. The following changes/amendments are proposed:
1. Updates to the language around remote participation. The state has recently updated statute and the location a member is joining the meeting from no longer needs to be “open and accessible”, meaning the location the Mayor or Member of Council is joining the meeting from does not need to be posted. In addition, due to the changes, the Mayor and Members of Council can now join a closed meeting remotely. Previously, the term “open and accessible” limited this option since the location had to be publicized and open to the public, should they wish to attend from that location. All other requirements from Minnesota State Statute and City remain the same. Staff will be bringing this back to Council related to board and commission participation and if Council would like to change their policy on that.
2. Updates to Appendix B: Rules of Decorum. The presiding officer does now not have to provide a verbal warning to any person, attendee, or participant who is out of order if they have previously been warned about their actions at any City meeting within the past six months. This change will also apply to the Board and Commission Rules of Business, as they share the same Rules of Decorum document. However, this update is pending, per the comment above.
Alternative Options:
The Council could leave the Council Rules of Business as is and not amend and the current Rules of Business would remain in place. The full Council Rules of Business are attached for your information.
Financial Impacts:
Not applicable.
Tentative Timelines:
• August 4, 2025 Council approves Rules of Business amendments
• August 5, 2025 Council Rules of Business goes into effect
• August 19, 2025 Board and Commission Rules of Business discussion
• September 9, 2025 Board and Commission Rules of Business amendments