9-17-13 CSCCCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY SSEERRVVIICCEESS CCOOMMMMIISSSSIIOONN AAGGEENNDDAA
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
7:00 pm
Richfield Community Center (Fireside Room), 7000 Nicollet Ave
Commission Members Staff Liaisons
Reed Bornholdt Tracy Hollenback Bob Shotwell Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaison) Tom Rublein (Planning Com)
Gerry Charnitz (C) Greg Mangold (VC) Michele Thompson John Evans (Secretary) Edwina Garcia (City Council)
Dan Edgerton Arlan Nelson LuAnn Werner
Terry Heinze Andrew Seffrood
1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting: July 16, 2013
2. Public Comment
Resident comment and items not printed on agenda
3. Staff Reports
Recreation Services (Topitzhofer)
Ice Arena Improvements
Open Streets at Penn Fest
4. Discussion Items
Band Shell Survey Results and Band Shell Committee Report (Topitzhofer)
Community Garden Relocation (Topitzhofer)
Clarification of May 21, 2013 Organized Waste-Hauling Vote (Topitzhofer)
5. Action Items
None
6. Committee Reports
Transportation Commission (Shotwell/Edgerton)
FOWL Board (Werner)
Green Team/Waste Hauling Study Group (Mangold, Werner, Edgerton)
Planning Commission (Edgerton)
Arts Commission (Thompson)
7. Next Meeting
October 15, 2013, 7:00 pm
Richfield Community Center
8. Adjournment
July 16, 2
PRESEN
ABSEN
Call t
Charnitz
June me
Staff R
Recreati
Topitzho
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legislatur
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existing c
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Discus
Summer
Topitzho
about 10
imagine
people c
people ra
Hollenba
mass em
a band s
Augsbur
Augsbur
said that
suggeste
objective
CSC to g
ultimately
the CSC
time left
felt abou
an electr
inaccura
on the G
Commu
Topitzho
Street an
and main
that, to d
criteria.
2013
NT
CSC: G
Terry He
STAFF:
NT CSC: G
PLAN C
o Order/Appr
called the me
eeting. Approv
Reports
ion Services
ofer reported o
na Improveme
plans. Plans h
re will conside
uly: First year w
night, the par
tendance: Nu
Wildland Half
treets at Penn
rmits for pub
y represented
f has consider
epresented by
community ce
ons or promote
ssion Items
r Concerts Si
ofer thanked th
00 for Lyndale
what the Lynd
could picture th
ate each site o
ack asked abo
mail list, and th
shell is built at
g site has wor
g is a proven
t they identified
ed that we sur
e that they’re n
get a real feel
y vote to make
to make a rec
to make a rec
ut an electronic
ronic survey w
ate information
Go concert at V
nity Garden R
ofer said that a
nd 28th Avenue
ntain. He said
determine a sit
Topitzhofer sa
REG
erry Charnitz
einze, Dan Ed
Jim Topitzho
reg Mangold,
COM: Tom Ru
roval of Minu
eeting to order
ved, ayes all.
on the following
ents: Next ste
ave changed
er the legislatio
without carniv
rade, and the s
mbers suffere
Marathon & 5
nFest: Planne
lic events: An
to the City. C
red not allowin
y the permit ho
elebration licen
ed public even
ite Survey Re
he CSC volunt
Gardens. He
dale Gardens s
he site’s poten
objectively wit
out promotions
he Music On th
Vets or Lynda
rked well, is sh
success as a
d Augsburg, L
rvey the conce
not very inform
for the differe
e a recommen
commendation
commendation
c survey. Cha
with the same q
n and harshly-n
Vets Park in tw
Relocation
a Richfield loca
e. He said tha
d that some of
te, staff has re
aid that staff w
GULAR COMM
Richfi
, Tracy Hollen
dgerton, LuAn
ofer, John Eva
, Michele Tho
ublein COUN
tes
r at 7:00 pm. B
g:
p is transitory
regarding the
on to allow liqu
al. Big attend
street dance.
d in June; July
5K: Registratio
d for Septemb
n event, initiall
City staff had to
ng any events
older; he said
nse is the sam
nts.
esults
teers and pres
e said that the
site may be lik
ntial. Edgerton
h set criteria.
s. Topitzhofer
he Go promoti
ale Gardens. T
hady and intim
concert venue
Lyndale Garde
ert-goers at Au
mative. Topitzh
nt sites. Holle
ndation to the
n; Topitzhofer
n. Topitzhofer
arnitz suggeste
questions. We
negative comm
wo weeks.
ation would be
at moving it to
the relocation
ecommended a
will score all of
MUNITY SERVI
Tuesda
eld Communi
nback, Arlan
nn Werner
ans
ompson
NCIL: Edwina
Bornholdt mov
ordinance rev
locker rooms
uor sales at th
ance at the pa
y is looking be
on is going we
ber 15.
y planned for
o cancel the ev
where the per
that staff will a
me thing. Topit
sented the tab
ratings were s
ke. Nelson sa
n suggested th
Topitzhofer sa
said that each
ons mention t
Topitzhofer sa
mate, accessib
e. Hollenback
ens, and Vets a
ugsburg on a T
hofer said that
enback asked
Council, who
said that, with
said that the s
ed asking Patc
erner suggeste
ments. Topitz
e ideal for the c
Richfield wou
n costs include
a set of criteria
f the parks on
DR
CES COMMIS
ay, July 16, 20
ty Center (700
Nelson, Bob
Garcia
ved, seconded
vision first-hea
and possibly a
e arena.
ark. Great com
etter so far.
ell; ahead of la
Sunday, July
vent because
rmit-holder is i
approach the C
tzhofer said th
ulated results.
slightly more fa
aid that the nex
hat the survey
aid that it may
h concert is pr
he survey. Sh
aid that concer
ble, central, an
asked if the c
as possible sit
Thursday nigh
t the real adva
who would ma
would ultimate
hout a potentia
same survey c
ch to conduct
ed not using P
hofer said tha
community ga
uld make the s
e soil amendm
a for site selec
the given crite
RAFT MINU
SSION REGUL
013
00 Nicollet Ave
Shotwell, And
d by Hollenbac
aring at a Cou
a parking lot e
mments from a
ast year.
14, at Taft Pa
it was promot
inviting the pu
CSC to consid
hat the events
. He said that
favorable in all
xt survey shou
y should not pit
y be a good ide
romoted on Fa
hotwell asked
rts would not b
nd shouldn’t be
committee had
tes, with Vets
ht. Werner sai
antage of havi
ake a final dec
ely decide. Ho
al private spon
can be given n
a poll. Edgert
Patch because
at a link to the
ardens, which
site more secu
ment, water acc
ction. Hollenb
eria and will br
UTES UNTI
LAR MEETING
e)
drew Seffrood
ck, to approve
ncil meeting fo
expansion. He
all over. Seffro
ark, grew beyo
ted as a much
blic and the at
der such a pol
in question ha
t about 50 resp
l categories fo
uld maybe hav
t the two sites
ea to have a s
acebook, Twitt
if concerts wo
be held at Aug
e given up as a
d already reco
as their recom
d that the resu
ng the concer
cision; Topitzh
ollenback aske
nsorship applic
next month an
ton suggested
e of a lack of t
survey will be
are currently o
ure and would
cess, signage
back suggeste
ring the scorin
TIL APPRO
d, Reed Born
e the minutes o
or the capital i
e said that, ne
ood said atten
ond the size th
h bigger event.
ttendance ma
licy. Seffrood
ave more to do
ponses were r
or Vets Park, b
ve a site plan o
s against one a
site diagram o
ter, the websit
ould still be he
gsburg. Shotw
a concert site.
mmended a s
mmendation. S
ults of the surv
rts at different
hofer said that
ed what if ther
cation to subm
nd he asked th
d that we cond
he ability to m
sent out befo
on airport prop
make it easie
, fencing, and
ed adding “amp
ng to the CSC
VED BY TH
holdt,
of the regular
mprovement,
ext year, the st
ndance was gr
at the organiz
. Topitzhofer
y grow beyond
asked if the
o with busines
received for V
but people had
on the survey
another, but ha
n the back.
te, and by our
eld at Augsbur
well said that t
. He said that
site. Topitzhof
Shotwell
vey so far are
sites is for the
t the CSC wou
re’s a deadline
mit, there’s som
he group how t
duct a paper a
moderate
ore the next Mu
perty at 59th
r for staff to pl
lighting. He s
ple sunlight” a
to review.
HE CSC.
with
ate
reat
zers
said
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ss
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so
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fer
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me
they
nd
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ow
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as a
July 16, 2013
Action Items
Cancellation of regular August CSC Meeting
Nelson moved, seconded by Bornholdt, to cancel the regular August CSC meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Committee Reports
FOWL Board: Werner provided the report; the golf fundraiser has been dropped.
Green Team/Waste Hauling Study Group: Topitzhofer provided the report.
Planning Commission: Edgerton provided the report.
Arts Commission: Topitzhofer provided the report.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular September Meeting
Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave).
Werner moved, seconded by Shotwell, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 pm.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 17, 2013
Agenda Item:
Band Shell Survey Results and Band Shell Committee Report
Agenda Section:
Discussion Items
Attachments:
Survey Results Summary
Band Shell Committee Report, August 21, 2013
Contact:
Jim Topitzhofer
Recommended Action:
Discuss next steps with site selection.
Surveys were distributed by Commission Members at all four of the Wednesday night concerts to gather
feedback from concert goers about potential band shell site at Lyndale Gardens and Veterans Park with 299
written surveys collected at the concerts and another 303 surveys completed online. The attached summary
shows average scores of each question per concert and average scores over all concerts. Veterans Park had
a slightly better average combined score than Lyndale Gardens, however the scores were very close. Thank
you to all that helped survey the crowd during these concerts.
Staff will share recommendations for next steps toward site selection.
The Band Shell Committee met on August 21, 2013 and Chair David Butler prepared the attached report. The
Committee passed a motion for the Band Shell Committee to be dissolved. The group concluded that they
have completed their task of recommending a site and made an effort to solicit outside funds. They are open
to reassignment should the Community Services Commission need their help in the future.
4 Not noticeable 15 36%
60 4 Not noticeable 11 17%
44 4 Not noticeable 13 5%52
3 Just a little noisy 23 55%
67 3 Just a little noisy 26 40%
78 3 Just a little noisy 91 32%273
2 Pretty noisy 25%42Pretty noisy 16 25%
32 2 Pretty noisy 111 39%222
1 Too noisy 25%21Too noisy 12 18%
12 1 Too noisy 69 24%69
42 133 65 166 284 616
3.2 2.6 2.2
4 Not noticeable 37 91%148 4 Not noticeable 31 51%124 4 Not noticeable 61 21%244
3 Just a little noisy 2 5%63Just a little noisy 15 25%45 3 Just a little noisy 135 47%405
2 Pretty noisy 1 2%22Pretty noisy 10 16%20 2 Pretty noisy 60 21%120
1 Too noisy 1 2%11Too noisy 5 8%51Too noisy 31 11%31
41 157 61 194 287 800
3.8 3.2 2.8
4 Great 20 49%80 4 Great 16 27%64 4 Great 118 38%472
3 Good 16.5 40%49.5 3 Good 31 52%93 3 Good 64 21%192
2 Okay 3.5 9%72Okay 11 18%22 2 Okay 78 25%156
1 Poor 1 2%11Poor 2 3%21Poor 48 16%48
41 137.5 60 181 308 868
3.4 3.0 2.8
4 Great 18 45%72 4 Great 16 27%64 4 Great 70 24%280
3 Good 15 38%45 3 Good 33 56%99 3 Good 134 47%402
2 Okay 5 12%10 2 Okay 6 10%12 2 Okay 59 21%118
1 Poor 2 5%21Poor 4 7%41Poor 23 8%23
40 129 59 179 286 823
3.2 3.0 2.9
4 Great 20.5 58%82 4 Great 17 30%68 4 Great 64 23%256
3 Good 14 40%42 3 Good 26 46%78 3 Good 120 43%360
2 Okay 0 0%02Okay 7 13%14 2 Okay 69 25%138
1 Poor 1 2%11Poor 6 11%61Poor 26 9%26
35.5 125 56 166 279 780
3.5 3.0 2.8
4 Not noticeable 21 20%84 4 Not noticeable 37 44%148 4 Not noticeable 48 18%192
3 Just a little noisy 51 48%153 3 Just a little noisy 33 39%99 3 Just a little noisy 146 54%438
2 Pretty noisy 33 31%66 2 Pretty noisy 10 12%20 2 Pretty noisy 57 21%114
1 Too noisy 2 2%21Too noisy 5 6%51Too noisy 21 8%21
107 305 85 272 272 765
2.9 3.2 2.8
4 Not noticeable 21 20%84 4 Not noticeable 33 39%132 4 Not noticeable 74 27%296
3 Just a little noisy 51 49%153 3 Just a little noisy 42 49%126 3 Just a little noisy 127 46%381
2 Pretty noisy 33 31%66 2 Pretty noisy 7 8%14 2 Pretty noisy 58 21%116
1 Too noisy 0 0%01Too noisy 3 4%31Too noisy 20 7%20
105 303 85 275 279 813
2.9 3.2 2.9
4 Great 48 46%192 4 Great 35 42%140 4 Great 89 32%356
3 Good 38 36%114 3 Good 38 46%114 3 Good 94 34%282
2 Okay 17 16%34 2 Okay 6 7%12 2 Okay 62 22%124
1 Poor 2 2%21Poor 4 5%41Poor 34 12%34
105 342 83 270 279 796
3.3 3.3 2.9
4 Great 30 30%120 4 Great 17 21%68 4 Great 31 11%124
3 Good 49 49%147 3 Good 40 50%120 3 Good 79 28%237
2 Okay 18 18%36 2 Okay 19 24%38 2 Okay 81 29%162
1 Poor 2 2%21Poor 4 5%41Poor 87 31%87
99 305 80 230 278 610
3.1 2.9 2.2
4 Great 29 32%116 4 Great 28 35%112 4 Great 82 30%328
3 Good 33 36%99 3 Good 33 42%99 3 Good 107 39%321
2 Okay 18 20%36 2 Okay 14 18%28 2 Okay 57 21%114
1 Poor 12 13%12 1 Poor 4 5%41Poor 26 10%26
92 263 79 243 272 789
2.9 3.1 2.9
WRITTEN SURVEYS VETS LG ONLINE SURVEYS VETS LG ALL SURVEYS VETS LG
Airplane Noise 2.86 3.03 Airplane Noise 2.17 2.81 Airplane Noise 2.51 2.92
Street Noise 3.50 3.06 Street Noise 2.79 2.91 Street Noise 3.15 2.99
Accessibility 3.19 3.26 Accessibility 2.82 2.85 Accessibility 3.00 3.05
Parking 3.13 2.98 Parking 2.88 2.19 Parking 3.00 2.59
Site Aesthetics 3.24 2.97 Site Aesthetics 2.80 2.90 Site Aesthetics 3.02 2.93
TOTAL 15.92 15.29 TOTAL 13.45 13.67 TOTAL 14.69 14.48
Parking
AVERAGE SCORE
Site Aesthetics
VETS PARK 7/24/13
Airplane Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
Site Aesthetics
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
Street Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
Accessibility
Street Noise
Accessibility
Parking
AVERAGE SCORE
Parking
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
Accessibility
Street Noise
VETS PARK 6/26/13
LYNDALE GARDENS 7/10/13
AVERAGE SCORE
Airplane Noise
Airplane Noise
Site Aesthetics
Parking
LYNDALE GARDENS 8/7/13
Airplane Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
Street Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
Accessibility
Site Aesthetics
AVERAGE SCORE
Accessibility
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
VETS PARK (ONLINE)
Airplane Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
Street Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
Street Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
Parking
AVERAGE SCORE
Site Aesthetics
AVERAGE SCORE
LYNDALE GARDENS (ONLINE)
Airplane Noise
AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE SCORE
Site Aesthetics
Accessibility
AVERAGE SCORE
Parking
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 17, 2013
Agenda Item:
Community Garden Relocation
Agenda Section:
Discussion Items
Attachments:
Preliminary Scoring
Park Site Maps w/measurements
Contact:
Jim Topitzhofer
Recommended Action:
Discuss attached site scoring to relocate the Community Garden
Site selection criteria were determined at the last meeting regarding the relocation of the Community Garden.
Staff used the site selection criteria to score all Richfield parks. Eight locations were identified that would
have space sufficient enough to accommodate the existing square footage of our garden on MAC property
(54,000 sq. feet) or half of the area (27,000 sq. feet). These eight locations were scored further (see
attached). Soil compatibility was not scored due to the cost of soil testing. The actual area of each location is
marked on the attached maps.
Because the new garden is intended to be fenced to deter theft and vandalism, it was difficult to visualize how
well a fenced community garden would blend in with the nice setting of a park. As staff visited and scored the
sites, it began to be apparent that only one site would seem suitable and have enough buffer to help conceal a
large fenced in area. Conflicting use was also observed in many locations while visiting the site and in some
sites it would be necessary to remove trees.
The best location appeared to be Veterans Park, east of the Arts Center, labeled as Vets Park 1. Another
option is to consider constructing a fence around the existing garden to resolve the theft issue instead of
relocating the garden. A third option is to consider a number of smaller gardens at multiple sites that could
blend into the parks better and avoid conflict of use. Staff will report further observations at the meeting.
Community Garden
Site Selection Scoring
PARK Space to Accomdate an Area of 54,000 sq. feetSpace to Accomdate an Area of 27,000 sq. feetSufficient Buffer from Residential HomesAvailibility of WaterArea is Visible to Police Patrol CarsCentral LocationRest Room AvailibiltySoil CombatibilityNo Conflicting Park UsesAvailibility of Electricity for LightingNo Trees Need to be RemovedSufficient Parking to Accommodate 20 VehiclesTOTAL SCOREAdams Hill 0212200?0222 13
Apple Blossom 0 0 0
Augsburg 0 0 0
Christian 0 0 0
Donaldson 0 0 0
Fairwood 0 0 0
Fremont 0 0 0
Garfield 0200020?2000 6
Heredia 0 0 0
Jefferson 0 0 0
Lincoln Field 0 0 0
Little Bob’s 0 0 0
Madison 0 0 0
Monroe 0200010?2220 9
Nicollet 0202221?0221 14
Richfield Lake 0 0 0
Roosevelt 2212211?1202 16
Sheridan 0 0 0
Taft 2222000?1102 12
Veterans Park 1 2222012?1221 17
Veterans Park 2 0221212?2122 17
Washington 0 0 0
Does not meet requirements = 0 PTS
Partially meets criteria = 1 POINT
Meets criteria = 2 POINTS
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 17, 2013
Agenda Item:
Clarification of May 21, 2013 Organized Waste-Hauling Vote
Agenda Section:
Discussion Items
Attachments:
Voting Riddles Article from the League of MN Cities Publication dated April, 2007
Contact:
Jim Topitzhofer
Recommended Action:
Discuss clarification of the May 21, 2013 Organized Waste Hauling Vote
Greg Mangold has requested further discussion of the outcome of a vote by the Community Services
Commission on May 21, 2013 regarding organized waste hauling. A motion was made to recommend
approval of the preparation and submission of a request for proposal to the existing solid waste collectors for
the purpose of meeting the City’s solid-waste collection goals. Four members voted yes, two members voted
no and two members abstained. The City Attorney reviewed the situation and indicated that, in her opinion,
the motion did not pass because with eight members present at the meeting a total of five 'yes' votes would be
needed to pass the motion.
Greg has brought to our attention an article dated April, 2007, written by Jeanette Behr, Research Attorney for
the League of Minnesota Cities. This attorney indicates that, in her opinion, a member that abstains in a vote
that is not connected to a personal conflict of interest is counted as a vote of the majority. If this is the case,
the vote conducted on May 21, 2013, would have passed. The attached article has been sent to Richfield City
Attorney Mary Tietjen for further consideration. Staff will present the City Attorney's position on this matter at
the meeting.
M i n n e s o t a C i t i e s 1 9ap r i l 2 0 0 7
By Jeanette Behr
D I D Y O U K N O W ?
magine a vote to fill the mayor’s
position on a statutory city council.
Due to the mayoral vacancy, the
council now consists of four voting
members. However, one member
chooses to abstain from voting,
so we are down to three voting
councilmembers. Two members
vote for Candidate A to fill the vacancy,
and one member votes for Candidate B.
Is either appointed to the mayor’s office?
Before we can answer that question,
two other facts come into play. First, the
law requires no special number of votes
to fill a vacancy on the council, just a
majority vote. (Thus, in this scenario,
the winning candidate usually must
receive three out of four votes.) Second,
the councilmember abstains but not due
to a disqualifying interest in the vote. If
these two conditions exist, the answer
to this voting riddle is Candidate A
wins—even with only two affirmative
votes. In this situation, an abstention
may be considered acquiescence with
the majority and counts with the votes
of the majority.
The rationale for this rule, often cited
by courts in vote-counting cases, is that if
a quorum is present, members refusing to
vote will not defeat the action. Council-
members should be aware that choosing
to abstain may ultimately function like
a vote with the majority, and still tends
to either defeat or pass the motion.
The presence of abstaining members
still counts for quorum purposes. Even
though courts say that abstentions
count with the majority of those vot-
ing, it is not clear how far that rule
goes. Consider three council mem-
bers at a meeting: one member votes in
favor of approving meeting minutes and
two members abstain; are the minutes
approved? If a council faces multiple
voting abstentions, the best approach is
to consult the city attorney.
When do abstentions not count with
the majority? Abstentions do not count
Voting Riddles
a street improvement. The vote required
by law is four “yes” votes out of five
voting councilmembers. However, in
this example, two members abstain
from voting because they live on the
street being improved and will have to
pay the special assessments. The remain-
ing three members vote to adopt the
resolution ordering the improvement
and the assessments. Does it pass? Yes,
according to a district court case from
1992. The abstentions, due to disquali-
fying personal interests, reduce the
number of votes needed from four to
three in the same way that two vacan-
cies on the council reduce the num-
ber of votes needed. In addition, in this
scenario, the abstentions do not count
with the majority.
What about voting requirements in
charter cities? Charter cities are subject
to the same general rule that an absten-
tion may count with the majority if the
charter does not require a set number
of votes, and if the abstention is not due
to disqualification due to a personal
interest in the matter.
Summary. Councilmembers some-
times wish to abstain from voting on
controversial issues. Even so, an absten-
tion may ultimately tend to either
defeat or pass the action. For more
information about voting questions,
consult your city attorney or contact
the LMC Research Department at
(651) 281-1200 or toll-free at (800)
925-1122.
Jeanette Behr is research attorney with the
League of Minnesota Cities. Phone: (651)
281-1228. E-mail: jbehr@lmnc.org. See
also: “Counting the Votes Part I in Minne-
sota Cities,” Minnesota Cities magazine,
May, 2006; “Counting the Votes Part II
in Minnesota Cities,” Minnesota Cities
magazine, June/July 2006.
with the majority in statutory cities in
two situations. First, if state law requires
a specific number of affirmative votes;
and, second, if a councilmember abstains
due to a disqualifying personal interest
in the matter before the council.
To illustrate the first concept, in
statutory cities, it takes a majority vote
of all members of the council to pass an
ordinance. Thus, three members of a
five-member council must vote “yes”
to pass an ordinance.
Consider this example: four out of
five members attend a council meeting
to vote on passage of an ordinance; two
members vote in favor of the ordinance
and two abstain. The vote fails and the
ordinance is not adopted because the
ordinance did not receive the three
affirmative votes required by state law.
(Put another way, the law requires a
majority vote of all councilmembers, as
opposed to a majority of those present.)
In this situation, abstentions do not
count with the majority.
To illustrate the second concept,
abstentions do not count with the
majority if a councilmember abstains
from voting due to a disqualifying
personal interest. According to the
Minnesota Attorney General, when
a councilmember is disqualified from
voting, due to a personal interest in the
matter, the effect is the same as if there
were a vacancy on the council. The
rationale for this general rule is that if a
person can neither vote nor participate
in the discussions or other proceedings,
then that person really cannot function
as part of the council for that particu-
lar issue. The net result is that abstaining
due to a disqualifying interest reduces
the number of votes needed.
For example, state law requires a
four-fifths vote to approve a local road
improvement under Chapter 429 (the
special assessments chapter.) Imagine a
five-member statutory city council
voting to adopt a resolution ordering
I