City Council Meeting Date: November 12, 2026
To: Members of the Charter Commissioners
From: CC Linstroth, Chair
Title
Discussion of Proposed Charter Amendments and Consideration of Further Review.
Body
Action Requested:
The Charter Commission will discuss and consider which proposed amendments to review in further detail.
Summary Report:
The following proposed Charter amendments/topics will be discussed and considered by the Charter Commission. Details of the amendments are included below.
1. Section 7.3 (9) Powers and Duties of the Administrator.
2. Public Hearing References in Charter (various).
3. Section 5.6 Filing for Office.
4. Section 12.1 Franchise Required.
5. Section 3.4 Incompatible Offices.
6. Review Non-Disclosure Agreements.
7. Levy Limits for Large Projects.
8. The Core Responsibilities of City Council Members.
The Charter Commission has been reviewing the City Charter to identify areas Commissioners believe need to be amended. Commissioners provided their feedback to Chair Linstroth for further discussion. A link to the City Charter and the previous three Charter Commission meeting videos are attached for reference (attachments #1-#4).
Also, at the September 10, 2026 Charter Commission meeting, City Administrator Martig presented three potential Charter amendments for the Commission to consider. These Commissioner proposed amendments and City Administration/City Attorney proposed amendments are detailed below.
1. Section 7.3 Powers and Duties of the Administrator. Subd. 9.
Current Charter language is as follows:
The administrator shall see that statutes relating to the city and the laws, ordinances, and resolutions of the city are enforced, shall investigate all complaints concerning city administration, and shall make recommendations to the council for improvement in services.
Commissioner Feedback:
“I move that the Charter Commission review whether Charter Section 7.3 (9) adequately communications to residents [the public?] the existence, purpose, and availability of the complaint-investigation function established by the Charter and whether additional Charter guidance regarding public awareness of that function may be beneficial.”
2. Public Hearing References in Charter.
Commissioner Feedback:
“Calling for a required public hearing use to be a Council or Planning Commission action. Currently Staff calls the public hearing for them. Which staff is authorized to call, schedule and notice a public hearing for the Council or Planning Commission? Without that initial “official” resolution and authorization to serve as a precursor to the public, the actual public hearing sometimes.”
Additional Commission feedback is attached (attachment #8).
3. 5.6 Filing for Office.
Current Charter language is as follows:
Section 5.6. - Filing for Office.
A candidate seeking to fill a full term of a city office shall file an affidavit of candidacy with the city clerk not more than eighty-four (84) days nor less than seventy (70) days before the date of the primary election. A candidate seeking to fill the unexpired term of a vacated office shall file an affidavit of candidacy with the city clerk not more than ninety-one (91) days nor less than seventy-seven (77) days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. A person must file for office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 70th day before the primary or special election. No less than five (5) registered voters of the city may file an application with the city clerk on behalf of any qualified candidate they wish to have on the ballot, provided that service of a copy of the application be made on such candidate and proof of service endorsed on the application before filing. In either case, the filing fee shall be a reasonable amount as established by ordinance. Such affidavit or application shall state that the candidate is qualified under the laws and constitution of the state, name the office for which the person is a candidate, and if a candidate for a ward council member, that the candidate is a resident of that ward. All candidates shall complete and file the public disclosure statement prescribed by the city's ethics ordinance.
Any candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the city clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. two (2) days after the last day for filing affidavits of candidacy. Thereafter, no candidate may file an affidavit of withdrawal.
The Rice County Director of Property Taxes and Elections requested a review of Charter Section 5.6 after identifying inconsistencies with state law regarding candidate filing periods. The City Attorney recommends amending Section 5.6 to incorporate Minn. Stat. § 205.13 by reference, ensuring consistency with state law and reducing the need for future Charter amendments. Although removing the section is an option, retaining it would provide a helpful reference and preserve the City’s authority to establish candidate filing fees by ordinance. The City must follow state law regardless of whether the Charter is amended. The City Administrator Memo and recommended amendments are attached (attachment #5).
4. 12.1 Franchise Required.
Current Charter language is as follows:
Section 12.1. - Franchise Required.
No person shall operate a public utility in the City of Northfield without a franchise. The City of Northfield shall grant a franchise only by ordinance. Every ordinance granting a franchise shall contain all the terms and conditions of the franchise.
The City Administrator requested the City Attorney review Chapter 12 to clarify the terminology related to franchise regulations. The City Attorney notes that the current language limits applicability to “public utilities.” The proposed amendment change would broaden the language to include all users and occupants of the public rights-of-way. The City Administrator Memo and recommended amendments are attached (attachment #6).
5. 3.4 Incompatible Offices.
Current Charter language is as follows:
Section 3.4. - Incompatible Offices.
An elected officer of the city may not be appointed administrator, hold any other city office nor be employed by the city in any other capacity for pay; nor for a period of one year after expiration of the officer's term of office, hold a city office nor be employed by the city for pay.
The City Attorney, at the request of the City Administrator, reviewed this section to verify it does not differ with state statute. The City Attorney has provided three options below for proposed amendments.
A. Amend Section 3.4 to restate the applicable state law regarding employment restrictions.
B. Amend Section 3.4 to incorporate the applicable state law by reference.
C. Amend Section 3.4 to remove the restriction regarding holding another City office without addressing the employment restriction.
The City Administrator Memo and recommended amendments are attached (attachment #7).
6. Non-Disclosure Agreements.
Commissioner Feedback:
“Data Center discussions have brought this to the forefront. NDA’s promote secrecy not transparency.”
7. Levy Limits for Large Projects.
Commissioner Feedback:
“Set a dollar amount limit, which would be subject to inflationary increases, above which such expenditures would be subject to a referendum vote.”
8. The Core Responsibilities of the City Council Members.
Commissioner Feedback.
“Engage community on development project and proposals. Enables the public to participate in public hearings. Serve constituents as an advocate and ombudsman.”
Additional Commissioner feedback laying out specific proposals is (attachment #8).
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A