Charter Commission reviews election rules, eyes citizen petition thresholds
Bloomington's Charter Commission met January 9 to review the city's governing document, examining election procedures and discussing whether the rules for citizen-initiated ballot measures remain appropriate for 2025. The multi-year review process will continue with focus on how accessible the charter is to ordinary residents.
The Charter Commission discussed how Bloomington residents can amend the city's charter—the foundational document that works like a constitution for local government. There are two pathways: minor, uncontroversial changes require only City Council approval, while major changes must go to voters. The commission used historical examples like the approval of ranked choice voting and tap room licenses to illustrate how these processes work.
During their review of Chapter 4, covering elections, commissioners noted that Bloomington requires odd-year elections for city offices—a requirement that staff has flagged as potentially worth reconsidering. The commission also discussed the $50 candidate filing fee, which was increased from $2 years ago to discourage frivolous primary elections before ranked choice voting was adopted. Voters have now approved ranked choice voting twice, the City Attorney noted, showing strong public support for the voting method.
Looking ahead, the commission will dive deeper into Chapter 5, which outlines powers reserved for citizens—such as the ability to petition for ballot measures. The City Attorney called it a "meaty and substantive" chapter that gets to the heart of what makes Bloomington a charter city. A key question for future discussion: whether the percentage thresholds required to launch citizen petitions remain appropriate in 2025.
The commission also reviewed Chapter 6, covering city administration, including the City Manager's role and the city's unique Merit System for employees. One commissioner suggested rewriting dense sections of the charter in plain English using active verbs to make it understandable to ordinary citizens. The City Attorney agreed to prepare a review of those sections for a future meeting. The commission's annual meeting is scheduled for May 1.
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Notable Quotes (11)
our Charter requires odd-year elections for our government local government offices so those are the two things that we have heard about
we shift it from $2 to $50 to more kind of test to see what that made people think about that a little bit
both times it um was adopted um by the voters to continue to be in the the form of voting and then to stay the form of voting so um twice now uh the voters have decided they want to haveing Choice voting in in the city
It's a very meaty substantive chapter and um really really uh gets to the essence of a charter city um creates very specific reservations of powers for the citizens.
The percentages that are required in order to initiate some of these measures um they are they they they have significant impacts and um there was a suggestion that the charter commission may want to pay attention and have perhaps a discussion the next time we get together about whether these percentages um to meet the threshold for these petitions to move on to the later stages are still the right percentages in this state in you know the TW in 2025
it really is for a lot of people their dream job to come be the city manager of wilington because it's so stable
it is the only this position is the only employee of the city council
I have no opinions about the Merit system or not having the Merit system but is removing the Merit system um some something that the the charter commission could recommend
the city manager can execute documents up to $175,000 and then above $175,000 uh has to be executed by the city council
sometimes changes in the chter our reaction to things that happen and this these sections reflect that about happening
I'm a firm believer of plain English and I think that all documents something the charter a constitution should be written in language that an ordinary person can understand
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
The foundational governing document for the city, undergoing a multi-year periodic review.
Significant updates were made last year to modernize them for the Charter Commission.
Governs charter amendments, alcohol regulation, election processes, and the uniform contracting system.
Contains detailed rules for Rank Choice Voting procedures, the Merit System, and establishes offices like the City Clerk.
Internal city policies that add greater detail to purchasing and approval processes.
Internal city policies that add greater detail to purchasing and approval processes.
Internal city policies that add greater detail to purchasing and approval processes.
A memo prepared by the City Attorney outlining terms and conditions for delegating signature authority.
The official newspaper for the city of Bloomington, where legal notices are published.
Minnesota state law referring to the uniform contracting system, influencing city contract execution.
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Other Topics from This Document
Charter Amendment Pathways
Periodic Review of City Charter: Chapter 4 - Elections
Periodic Review of City Charter: Chapter 5 - Citizen Reserved Powers
Periodic Review of City Charter: Chapter 6 - Administration of City Affairs
Clarity and Modernization of Charter Language
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