Bloomington Charter Commission Reviews Election, Administration Procedures
The Bloomington Charter Commission conducted a systematic review of city charter chapters covering elections and administrative procedures during a special meeting Thursday.
The commission examined Chapter 4, which governs municipal elections, including rank choice voting procedures that apply only to mayor and city council races. Chair Rod Axel noted that voters have twice approved continuing rank choice voting in the city. The chapter also addresses candidate filing requirements, including a $50 filing fee established to discourage frivolous candidacies that previously triggered costly primary elections.
Commissioners also reviewed Chapter 6, which outlines city administration structure and the city manager's role. The review comes as the city operates under interim management following the recent resignation of the city manager, who left to lead Catholic Charities. The charter designates the city manager as the only employee of the city council, with authority to execute contracts up to $175,000.
The commission discussed modernizing language in sections 6.06 and 6.07, which govern contract execution procedures. Commissioner Karen Lindquist suggested rewriting these sections in plain English to make them more accessible to residents. The current language includes a 67-word sentence that commissioners found difficult to understand.
The commission scheduled its next meeting for April to review Chapter 5, which addresses citizen petition powers including initiative, referendum and recall procedures. The annual meeting is set for May 1, where any recommended charter amendments would be formally considered.
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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.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Charter Commission Operations and Review Process
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
Also from this meeting
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