City Council Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Public Hearing Related to Charter Commission Proposed Ordinance Amending Section 4.1 of the Northfield City Charter.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to hold a public hearing on Ordinance 1095 Amendment to Section 4.1 of the Northfield City Charter.
Summary Report:
Public Hearing Procedure (from adopted City Council Rules of Business):
A Public Hearing is used by the City Council to solicit the public's comments on various projects or City operation procedures.
A. The Mayor will open the hearing by identifying the subject.
B. Staff Presentation- City Administrator Ben Martig will give a presentation on the proposed amendments. City Attorney Chris Hood will be in attendance remotely to answer questions from the Council.
C. Applicant's Presentation - NOT APPLICABLE
D. Public Input- The public will have the opportunity to speak for or against the issue. The public may ask questions, make comments, voice support, agree or disagree with the issue.
1. The Mayor will recognize a speaker at the podium and comments/conversation will be between the Mayor and speaker; and between the Mayor and Council Members.
2. At the podium the speaker must give their name, and if representing a business, must give the name of the business or corporation. If an Attorney or consultant is representing a client, the client must be identified for the record.
3. Speakers will be allowed to speak a maximum of two (2) minutes per item (not including interpreter’s time, if applicable).
4. Speakers who have material to be handed out to the City Council will pass the material to the City Administrator. The City Administrator will then pass the information to the appropriate people. A minimum of twelve (12) copies are needed.
5. Persons cannot gift their 2 minute speaking time to other members of the public.
Note: There is a scheduled regular item after this agenda item. There will not be separate public input on that agenda item since this public hearing relates to that action item.
E. Questions or Clarifications from City Council - After the public input of the public hearing is completed, the City Council may request questions or clarifications prior to closing the public hearing. This section will be used when there are questions related to the topic on which the public hearing is being held. Questions should be succinct and avoid being rhetorical or leading in nature. Subsequent actions of the City Council provide for opportunities for further questions or clarifications from the City Council.
F. Any material to be entered into the record shall be noted. Any written communication presented to the City Council during a City Council meeting shall be read into the record or summarized for the record or simply delivered to the City Council, as the City Council may determine. They shall then be recorded in the minutes by title and filed with the minutes in the office of the City Clerk.
G. Motion to Close Hearing - The Mayor will state if there is an extension of time for public input into the hearing. If not, the City Council Members will make a motion, second, and vote of the City Council on closing the public hearing.
Background
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. 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. The City Council accepted the amendment and scheduled the public hearing at their June 2, 2026 meeting.
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 at the prior council meeting packet should the Council be interested in a deeper historical dive. However, the video link from the meeting where the Charter Commission voted to recommend approval is attached should the Council prefer to hear input from Charter Commission members as they deliberated. Their discussion includes 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 determine if there were appropriate amendments consistent with State law that could provide better clarity to avoid confusion in the future. Ultimately, the members were sworn into office in accordance to State law.
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 205.07, subd. 1a, that supersedes any City Charter provision “[t]he terms of all city council members of charter cities expire on the first Monday in January of the year in which they expire,” but “[a]ll officers of charter cities chosen and qualified shall hold office until their successors qualify.” The qualification of office occurred as the first item of business. State law does not require that qualification occur during a meeting therefore even though there wasn’t a quorum at time the meeting was called to order State Statutes does not require that. As soon as the swearing in occurred there was a quorum. No items of business occurred prior to this action.
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.
First reading of the ordinance amending Section 4.1 is a separate item on this meeting agenda and will immediately follow the public hearing.
Alternative Options:
None recommended. The Charter Commission recommends on a 5-1 vote and the City Attorney and City Administrator also recommend the amendment.
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 has adjusted the initial calendar presented at the June 2, 2026 City Council meeting to account for anticipated member absences.
ü June 2, 2026 City Council Accepts Amendment and Schedules Public Hearing
ü June 10, 2026 Notice of Public Hearing Published
• July 7, 2026 Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance
• July 14, 2026 Second Reading
• October 19, 206 Effective Date