City Council Meeting Date: June 2, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Resolution Receiving Charter Amendment to Section 4.1 of the City Charter and Calling for a Public Hearing on Charter Amendment Proposed to be Adopted by Ordinance.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to consider the attached resolution receiving the Charter Commission’s proposed amendment as submitted and calling for a public hearing.
Summary Report:
The Northfield Charter Commission adopted the attached proposed changes to Charter Section 4.1 at their May 14, 2026 meeting by a vote of 5-1. Commissioner Jensen was not in attendance at the meeting. Charter Commission Chair CC Linstroth submitted the amendment to the City Administrator via email on May 26, 2026. Linstroth requested that staff initiate the process for City Council review of the amendment. Linstroth will be in attendance at the meeting to present the recommended Charter Amendment. Additionally, other Charter Commissioners were encouraged by the Chair to attend and would like a brief opportunity to introduce themselves.
This change specifically adds a reference to applicable State law requirements for charter cities. The amendment also includes complementary language intended to align more clearly with State law while providing additional clarification regarding the timing of assuming office and related oath of office requirements.
The current wording of Section 4.1 is provided below:
Section 4.1. - Council Meetings.
At its first meeting in January, the council shall meet at the usual place and time for the holding of council meetings. At this time any newly elected members of the council including the mayor shall, as the first order of business, be administered the oath of office and shall assume their duties. Thereafter, the council shall meet at such time as may be prescribed by resolution. Such a resolution shall remain in force until modified by the council. The mayor or any three members of the council may call special meetings of the council upon at least twelve hours notice to each member and such public notice as shall be prescribed by ordinance in compliance with the laws of Minnesota. Public notice of all meetings of the council and its committees shall be given as prescribed by ordinance, and any citizen shall have access to the minutes and records thereof at all reasonable times.
(Ord. No. 739, § 4.1, 11-6-2000; Ord. No. 781, 3-17-2003)
The recommended new “redline” version (crossout=delete; underline = new add) is as follows:
Section 4.1. - Council Meetings.
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 205.07, subd. 1a, as the same may be amended from time to time, the terms of all city council members, including the mayor, expire on the first Monday in January of the year in which such terms expire, except that such outgoing members shall hold office until their successors qualify. At its first meeting in January, the council shall meet at the usual place and time for the holding of council meetings. At this time any newly elected members of the council including the mayor, if not having previously been administered the oath of office on or following the first Monday in January, shall, as the first order of business, prior to calling the meeting to order, be administered the oath of office and shall assume their duties. Thereafter, the council shall meet at such time as may be prescribed by resolution. Such a resolution shall remain in force until modified by the council. The mayor or any three members of the council may call special meetings of the council upon at least twelve hours notice to each member and such public notice as shall be prescribed by ordinance in compliance with the laws of Minnesota. Public notice of all meetings of the council and its committees shall be given as prescribed by ordinance, and any citizen shall have access to the minutes and records thereof at all reasonable times.
There is a lengthy background of this topic and ordinance development provided in the memo and attachments. However, the video including discussion is provide at the 3:21 mark of the meeting and lasts about 15 minutes in total should you like to review the discussion including dissenting thoughts of member DeLong who voted in opposition to the proposed amendment.
Amendment Background:
At the January 7, 2025 City Council meeting, a new Mayor, two new Council members, and one re-elected Council member were sworn into office. One Council member was absent from the meeting. As a result, only three continuing Council members were present at the start of the meeting (before the oath of office was to be administered).
Prior to the meeting, the agenda order was adjusted, and the meeting was called to order, followed immediately by the administration of the oath of office. No additional actions were taken prior to the oath of office being administered and the newly elected officials officially assumed office.
Following the meeting, a concern was raised by a member of the public, now Charter Commission member David DeLong, regarding whether a quorum was present at the start of the meeting. In response, the City Administrator requested that the Charter Commission review the existing Charter language and consider amendments to prevent similar issues in the future.
The Charter Commission began its review and discussion of potential amendments at its July 10, 2025 meeting. After numerous discussions on the citizen concern and in consultation with the City Attorney, the Charter Commission is proposing updates to Charter Section 4.1 that will allow the oath of office to be administered prior to calling the meeting to order.
Attachments:
The following documents are attached:
• Attachment 1 Resolution
• Attachment 2 Draft ordinance for proposed 4.1 amendment.
• Attachment 3 Email from Chair Linstroth submitting the amendment.
• Attachment 4 Timeline for Charter amendment process.
• Attachment 5 Citizen concern related to 2025 oaths of office.
• Attachment 6 City Attorney memo.
• Attachment 7 Answers to Charter Commission questions.
• Attachment 8 Charter Commission Video May 19, 2026 (Agenda Item #3 at 3:21
minute mark)
• Attachment 9 Presentation
Alternative Options:
The City Council must formally act on the recommendation per state statutes. Therefore, the resolution and timing of the hearing is ultimately required for this meeting. The timeline for action in the future can be amended as needed.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
The detailed process and anticipated dates of City Council action is attached (attachment #4). Charter amendments require a unanimous vote of all seven members of the City Council at both the first and second readings to pass. Staff will adjust the calendar for any City Council member absences.