CHA 11/06/2017
TO: Charter Commission Members
FROM: Deb Skogen, City Clerk and Staff Liaison
Date: October 23, 2017
Re: Charter Commission Meeting of November 6, 2017
This is a reminder to you that the next Charter Commission meeting will be held on Monday,
November 6th at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room A on the Upper Level.
In order to ensure a quorum, please remember, the Charter Commission policy requires each
member to call or e-mail staff before 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 6th. Please contact me by
phone at (763) 572-3523 or e-mail me at deb.skogen@fridleymn.gov about your attendance.
If we do not have a quorum by 10:00 am, I will send out an e-mail to see if additional members
will attend. If by Noon there will not be a quorum, I will send out a follow-up e-mail to all
members of cancellation of the meeting and post a cancellation notice on the door for those
Commissioners who did not contact me, but came to the meeting.
The Commission will review the draft ordinance prepared for recommendation to City Council
suggesting changes. Please review the proposed ordinance prior to the meeting and come
prepared for discussion and questions. In addition to the underlined and strike-out version, I
have also enclosed a clean copy of what Chapter 7 would look like if the ordinance was adopted
by the City Council.
I have enclosed a copy of Chapter 8 for discussion of the meeting.
In addition, a calendar of City Council meeting dates is enclosed for your review for scheduling
your 2018 meetings.
If you have any other questions or concerns pertaining to this meeting, please contact me. If you
have any questions about proposed changes prepared by Shelly Peterson, Finance Director, you
may contact her at 763-572-3520 or shelly.peterson@fridleymn.gov.
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2017
7:00 P.M.
LOCATION:
FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER
CONFERENCE ROOM A UPPER LEVEL
1.CALL TO ORDER:
2.ROLL CALL:
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion approving the November 6, 2017 meeting agenda
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion approving the October 2, 2017 meeting minutes
5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. 2018 Meeting Schedule
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review of Proposed Draft Ordinance Chapter 7
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of Chapter 8
8. FUTURE MEETING TOPICS/COMMUNICATIONS
A.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting
Next Regular Commission Meeting
Date: January __, 2018
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2017
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Ostwald called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Commissioners Gary Braam, Don Findell, Manuel Granroos, Richard
Johnston, Ted Kranz, Rick Nelson, Dave Ostwald, Barb Reiland, Valerie
Rolstad, and Avonna Starck
Members Absent: Commissioners Zach Crandall, Bruce Nelson, Pam Reynolds, Cindy Soule
and Richard Walch
Others Present: Roberta Collins, Staff Liaison
Shelly Peterson, Finance Director
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Reiland seconded a motion approving the
meeting agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Braam MOVED and Commissioner Rolstad seconded a motion approving the
Charter Commission meeting minutes of September 5, 2017
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A.Order from the judge was received by the District Judge for the reappointments of
Commissioners Richard Johnston and Richard Walch. The terms expire September 9,
2021. Commissioner Johnston took his Oath and Acceptance.
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 2
OLD BUSINESS
DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 7
Chairperson Ostwald suggested the Commission review the draft of Chapter 7 made upon
recommendation of the Finance Director.
Section 7.02.3.A. Recycling Fees
Finance Director Peterson said recycling fees were not mandated by the state when originally
created. The City chose to have a centralized service and bill for those services as part of the
utility bill. The City felt recycling should be reclassified as a utility type fee because the City
goes through the same process when determining what to collect for the rates as it does for water
and sewer. When the City renegotiates the recycling contract, the charter restriction limits the
ability of increasing the fee. For example, if fuel prices go up, the City cannot increase or pass
on that cost. As the City does not have the funds to pay for the increases, the funds are taken
from another fund to support the increase. She said the charter definition states a fee or tax as
affecting all property owners, however, the recycling fee does not affect all properties. Recycling
is only charged to residential properties with twelve (12) units or less. So it truly does not meet
the definition of a tax that is charged to every property owner. Staff recommended recycling fee
be redefined as a utility like water and sewer. She said the Commission should decide if it
should be redefined and understood it was controversial. However, in light of the levy
restrictions and the change in the law that recycling is now mandatory, it was appropriate to
revisit the issue at this time.
Commissioner Reiland asked if the fees could be increased at any time.
Ms. Peterson said the City signs a multi-year contract that provides an inflationary calculation
that can increase the recycling fee rate, and that rate is not the same rate as the charter restriction.
She said the City is in the process of going out for bids for recycling as the contract is nearing its
term. Recently organics collection was added to the city code. While it is not mandatory,
legislation may change and it may become mandated at some date in the future.
There was further discussion on what organics were and general questions on where the City was
with that initiative.
The Commissioners had a brief discussion about Section 7.02.3.C and it was determined the
redlined sentence would not be redlined and the word described would be changed to
referenced in Section 7.02.3.B above.
Commissioner Kranz asked Ms. Peterson to explain why the charter language was out of date.
Ms. Peterson said the charter is so specific that when a law changes, even something as simple as
a date, the Charter becomes out dated. She reviewed many other city charters and looked for
consistencies or patterns. In addition she reviewed the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) web
site and policies. Based on that information, she made changes that were easier to understand
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 3
and removed some of the specifics and referencedstate law or state auditor guidelines. Ms.
Peterson said if everyone agreed with this section they could move to the next section.
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Starck seconded a motion moving recycling
fees from section A to section B, referencing state law and adding one sentence to section C as
referenced while removing the strikeouts.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.04 Preparation of the Budget
Ms. Peterson said the LMC has specific guidelines on what should be included in a budget
document and references specific statutes. Staff recommended this section be simplified by
acknowledging the city manager should have discretion on what to provide to the City Council
regarding the different funds. The City is different than the private sector as it has many funds
that all have special uses requiring special reporting and accounting. This section outlines the
general fund and special revenue funds where reporting requirements are similar. It still
identifies the required columns like prior year activity and current year projections. It also
specifies the broad categories of expenditure types and organizations units (rather than
departments which are very specific). This would provide the city manager more flexibility on
how the budget is presented to the city council. Ms. Peterson said there were other funds where
that format would not work. An example would be a business type fund, (i.e., utility fund) where
you do not record capital as an expense, but rather record an annual depreciation figure.
Additional language was added to this section to differentiate between the different types of
funds.
Ms. Peterson said Section 2 was very specific and did not appear in other charters reviewed.
What discovered in the current chapter was that when you have a small department and you are
required to list specific employee information in the budget document, you can pretty much
determine who that person is and what kind of health insurance or benefits they have or other
private information which could be a violation of HIPPA and other regulations. Since we have
that information and know what is public or private, it is better to list broad categories rather
positions. The recommendation would be to omit this section.
Commissioner Braam wondered if it was still prepared with specific information by the finance
director and provided to the city manager and if there was a question during an audit if it would
be available. Ms. Peterson said yes, the City had a large budget document that would have this
information, however, the city council preferred to see more of a summary budget.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Kranz seconded a motion approving the
recommended changes to Section 7.04 as provided.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 4
Section 7.06 Enforcement of the Budget
Ms. Peterson said after reviewing other charters and looking at what has worked well for the City
for enforcing the budget, staff recommends simplifying this section to reference the provisions of
the budget and financial policies. The current charter also states that anyone that purchases
something outside of the budget could be liable for the purchase and is very specific. If needs
change during the year, the proposed changes provide more flexibility but still require employees
stay within their allotted budget.
The Commissioners discussed the last sentence regarding excess amount wondering whether the
word shall or will should be used in the last sentence. Ms. Peterson stated that the reason you
over the budget. After further discussion it was agreed the word
may be a reason it is not a part of the appropriate budget, but you cannot foresee an emergency.
an
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Johnston seconded a motion approving
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.07 Alterations in the Budget.
Ms. Peterson said she tried to make changes in this section to be consistent with the section
above referring to budget resolution and removed language that did not change the content of the
section.
Chairperson Ostwald asked why reduced salaries was specifically being removed. Ms. Peterson
said the council adopts a revised budget so she tried to keep this section more general because if
the budget needs to be revised for any purpose, it has to go to the city council by resolution.
After some discussion the Commissioners agreed, if reducing the budget, to the following
languagethe budget resolution or authorize the
transfer of sums from the
Commissioner Kranz MOVED and Commissioner Reiland seconded a motion approving the
proposed language just read (as shown in above paragraph).
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.10 Tax Settlement with County
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 5
Ms. Peterson said after reviewing other charters staff found our charter was very detailed, which
other charters were not. She was recommending deleting the language, but the Commissioners
could decide whether to keep it in, change the language or remove it. She said the County
followed their own statutes and regulations and they know when they have to provide the cities
with our tax levies. She felt the City could not make a demand on the County to turn funds over.
Section 7.11 Disbursements How Made
Ms. Peterson said it identifies a process that has now become more automated and staff felt this
section could be deleted. She said in the past when disbursements were made, payments would
be late due to certain regulations or approvals needing to be met before payments could be made.
This section is no longer included in other charters reviewed and with technology things are
changing .
Commissioner Findell wondered if there was still a paper trail for these processes. Ms. Peterson
said yes, laws are very specific as to how Cites can process payments and our auditor ensures we
adhere to those requirements. She said there are internal controls that have been created to
address the new payment processing technology.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner seconded a motion approving the deletion of
Sections 7.10 and 7.11 and renumbering the following sections.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.12 Funds to be kept
Ms. Peterson said this section should be updated to match the state auditor chart of account
guidelines and Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) by removing the fund names
recommendation is to create a new first paragraph and delete the remaining language in this
section. The changes remove any specifically defined account which allow the City to adjust as
there may be new accounting standards or funds.
would be removed in the second line of the paragraph.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Reiland seconded a motion approving the
changes made to section 7.12 by re-numbering to Section 7.10, creating a new paragraph and
deleting the remainder of the language.
Section 7.13 Receipts to go to City Treasurer
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 6
Ms. Peterson said this section is outdated and the recommendation is to delete this section as it is
similar to accounts payable but is the receipting process.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner ____ seconded a motion approving the
deletion of this section and renumbering the reminder of the chapter.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.14 Accounts and Reports
Ms. Peterson said the section should be simplified and updated. The upper sections talks about
how the City needs to follow the rules and that the city manager shall submit the report rather
than stating how often or what to report. It is left to the discretion of the city manager and
requires the City follow the law at the end of the year when the audit is finalized.
Commissioner Findell wondered if there needed to be a timeline of when reports are due.
Commissioner Rolstad felt there should be no timeline and that it be open ended as it is written
in state law when those reports are due.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion approving the
remainder of the section.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.15. Bonded Debt and Debt Limit
Ms. Peterson said bonding is clearly defined in Minnesota statute and each bond has unique
requirements. Bonds are an expensive method of borrowing money and there are other options
the City should be able to utilize such as certificates and other bank notes that are less expensive.
The City should be able to take advantage of all types of indebtedness legally available rather
than the limitations of this section. In reviewing other charters, they called it indebtedness and
referred to state law. There is another tool on the LMC website explaining the types of debt
available to cities and rules that apply. Not only is there a rule on how much we can borrow and
how we calculate the limit, every bond has very specific requirements. She simplified the
language to reference the state laws and took out the limit we set upon ourselves which was less
restrictive than state law.
the laws of the State
of
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 7
end the sentence at its
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Johnston seconded a motion approving the
changes recommended by staff to Section 7.15 and as provided in the paragraph above.
Commissioner Findell wondered if there was an area in the charter or state statute that describes
how special assessments are paid back as that seems to be language being deleted. Ms. Peterson
said Chapter 429 provides for special assessments and there is a special assessment policy that
would provide specific information on how the assessment is calculated and paid back. The
interest collected goes go back into the street construction fund. If it was a bonded special
assessment, it would be defined during the bonding process as to who will be assessed, how the
funds are managed and the county would then administer the annual collection from those
assessed.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.16. Form and Repayment of Bonds
Ms. Peterson said this was not found in other rules or charters and that is because the County
establishes the amount collected for the debt levy and state law identifies the other specifics
listed in this section which are all dependent on the type of borrowing.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Starck seconded a motion approving the
recommendation to delete the language and continue to renumber the chapter.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.17. Debt and Tax Anticipation Certificates/Section 7.18 Bonds outside the Debt
Limit
Ms. Peterson said she tried to make the charter more consistent with other charters by
simplifying, amending and deleting unnecessary language. Tax Anticipation and Emergency
Debt address two different types of borrowing, both used to address emergencies.
The City receives two installments from the County each year for property taxes. Tax
Anticipation Certificates are a short-term borrowing to bridge the gap between these two
installments.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Starck seconded a motion approving the
recommended changes to section 7.17 and 7.18 and renumbering the remainder of the charter.
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 2017 PAGE 8
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Section 7.14 Emergency Debt Certificates (NEW SECTION)
Ms. Peterson explained that this emergency type debt allows the City to borrow funds in the
event of a natural disaster or unforeseen emergency.
was.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Granroos seconded a motion approving the
recommended new language as Section 7.14 and ch
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Chairperson Ostwald directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance of the changes for the next
meeting.
The Commissioners wondered if the language had been reviewed by an attorney. Ms. Peterson
said the Citys bond counsel has reviewed our chapter and recommends the revisions. She said
she would provide the latest revisions to the city attorney and bond counsel for review.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS/COMMUNICATIONS
Final review of draft ordinance to Chapter 7 of the Charter
Discussion of Chapter 8
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Kranz MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen, MMC, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Commissioner Manuel Granroos, Secretary
DRAFT
DRAFTCityofFridleyCalendar
2018
IMPORTANTDATES
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15 ağƩƷźƓ\[ǒƷŷĻƩYźƓŭWƩ͵5ğǤ 26ConferenceMeeting
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10/23/2017
ORDINANCE NO. ____
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER CHAPTER 7. TAXATION
AND FINANCES
The Fridley City Charter has completed its review of Chapter 7 and has recommended an
amendment of the City Charter by Ordinance to the City Council on ______, 2017.
The Fridley City Council hereby finds after review, examination and recommendation of the
Charter Commission that Fridley City Charter Chapter 7 related to taxation and finances should
be hereby amended and ordains as follows:
FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER
CHAPTER 7. TAXATION AND FINANCES.
SECTION 1: THAT SECTION 7.02.3 BE HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.02. POWER OF TAXATION
3.Any other fees created, or increased beyond the limits set forth in subsection 1, shall require
voter approval as stipulated in subsection 2.
A.For the purposes of this subsection, "fees" includes sales and use taxes, recycling fees,
gas and electric franchise fees and any other fee that produces a tax burden or direct
financial obligation for all property owners and/or residents of Fridley. (Ref Ord 1152,
1244)
B.For the purposes of this subsection, the term "fees" does not include: utility charges,
recycling fees, Parks and Recreation Department participation fees, charges for photo-
copying, sales of municipal liquor store products, or civil and criminal fines and other
charges collected in cases of restitution or violation of law or contract. The term "fees"
also does not include rental housing fees, building permit fees, liquor license fees, the
extension or transfer of cable television service authority to additional service providers
for which fees are already being charged, fees for the operation of junk yards, annual
license fees for the operation of pawn shops and other regulated business, and any other
charge for services, including health and safety related Code enforcement, and other
goods, services or materials routinely provided by the City to its citizens or other
members of the public which, by law, must be limited to the actual cost of the service
being provided. The term "fees" shall not include any special assessments made under
Minnesota state law. Statutes Section 429. (Ref Ord 1152, 1244)
C.All fees and other charges referenced in section B above shall be designed to cover the
cost of the service and anticipated future costs. For the purposes of this subsection, "fee
increase" includes a new tax or fee, a monetary increase in an existing tax or fee, a tax or
fee rate increase, an expansion in the legal definition of a tax or fee base, and an
extension of an expiring tax or fee. (Ref Ord 1152)
Ordinance No. ____ Page 2
SECTION II: THAT SECTION 7.04. PREPARATION OF ANNUAL BUDGET BE
HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.04. PREPARATION OF ANNUAL BUDGET
1.The City Manager shall prepare the estimates for the annual budget. The budget shall include all
funds identified by the City Manager as requiring annual budget estimates. The budgetwhich
shall include any estimated deficit/surplus for the current year. The budget shall contain sufficient
detail to be readily understood and contain explanatory statements as deemed necessary.
The estimates of revenues and expenditures for general and special revenue funds shall be by
organizational unit and include comparative figures for the current fiscal year and actual figures
for the two preceding fiscal years. submitted by each department to the City Manager. Each
Expenditure estimates shall be divided into three (3) major subdivisions as follows:
A.Salaries and Wages,
B.Ordinary Expenses,
C.Capital Outlay.
In funds other than general and special revenue, the proposed expenditures shall be presented in
an understandable manner according to the discretion of the City Manager.
2.Salary detail shall show a list of all salaried officers and positions with salary allowance and
number of persons holding each. Wages shall be broken down in sufficient detail to justify the
request. Ordinary expenses shall be broken down into such detail as the City Manager shall
direct. Capital Outlay shall be itemized as to items and amounts. (Ref. Ord. 625)
In parallel columns shall be added the amounts expended under similar headings for the two (2)
preceding fiscal years, and, as far as practicable, the amounts expended and estimated for
expenditure during the current year. In addition to estimates of expenditures, the City Manager
shall prepare a detailed statement of revenues collected for the two (2) preceding completed fiscal
years with amounts estimated to be collected for the current fiscal year, and an estimate of
revenues for the ensuing fiscal year. The estimates shall be submitted to the Council at its last
regular monthly meeting in August and shall be published twice in summary in the official
Publication prior to November 15. (Ref. Ord. 625, Ord. 946)
SECTION III: THAT SECTION 7.06 ENFORCEMENT OF THE BUDGET BE HEREBY
AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.06. ENFORCEMENT OF THE BUDGET.
It shall be the duty of the City Manager to enforce strictly the provisions of the budget in accordance
with the City Council budget resolution and other financial policies of the City. The City Manager
shall not approve any order upon the City Treasurer for any expenditure unless an appropriation has
been made in the budget, nor for any expenditure covered by the budget unless there is sufficient
Ordinance No. ____ Page 3
unencumbered balance left after deducting the total past expenditures and the sum of all outstanding
orders and encumbrances. No officer or employee of the City shall place any orders or make any
purchases except for the purposes and to the amounts authorized in the budget resolution. Any
obligation incurred by any person in the employ of the City an officer or City employee for any
purpose not authorized in the budget resolution or for any amount in excess of the amount therein
authorized shall appropriated in the budget resolution or in excess of available moneys in any fund
of the City may be considered a personal obligation upon the person incurring the expenditure.
(Ref. Ord. 857)
SECTION IV: THAT SECTION 7.07. ALTERATIONS IN THE BUDGET BE HEREBY
AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.07. ALTERATIONS IN THE BUDGET.
After the budget shall have has been duly adopted, the Council shall not have power to increase the
amounts therein fixed in the budget resolution, whether by the insertion of new items or otherwise,
beyond the estimated revenues, unless the actual receipts shall exceed such estimates, and in that
event, not beyond such actual receipts. The sums fixed in the budget shall be and become
appropriated at the beginning of the fiscal year for the several purposes named therein, and no other.
The Council may at any time, by resolution passed by a vote of at least four (4) members of the
Council, reduce salaries or the sums appropriated for any purpose by the budget resolution, or by
vote of at least four (4) members of the Council authorize the transfer of sums from the unexpended
balances of the budget to other purposes. (Ref. Ord. 946)
SECTION V. THAT SECTIONS 7.10. TAX SETTLEMENT WITH COUNTY AND 7.11.
DISBURSEMENTS HOW MADE BE HEREBY REPEALED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 7.10. TAX SETTLEMENT WITH COUNTY.
The City Treasurer shall see to it that all moneys in the county treasury belonging to the City are
promptly turned over to the City according to law.
Section 7.11. DISBURSEMENTS, HOW MADE.
All disbursements shall be made only upon the order of the City Manager or designee, duly authorized
by a resolution or motion of the Council, and every such order shall specify the purpose for which the
disbursement is made, and indicate the fund out of which it is to be paid. Each such order shall be
directed to the Treasurer, and the latter shall issue a check payable to the order of the person in whose
favor the order was drawn. The Treasurer shall issue no check upon any City funds except upon such
order. In the discretion of the Council the order and check may be a single instrument. No claim
against the City shall be allowed unless accompanied by either an itemized bill, or a payroll, or time
sheet, each of which shall be approved and signed by the responsible City officer who vouches for
the correctness and reasonableness thereof. The Council may by ordinance make additional
regulations for the safekeeping and disbursement of the City's funds. The Council may by resolution
or motion provide for the regular payment without specific individual authorization by the Council of
Ordinance No. ____ Page 4
salaries and wages of regular employees, laborers, and fixed charges which have been previously duly
and regularly incurred.
SECTION VI: THAT SECTION 7.12. FUNDS BE KEPT BE HEREBY AMENDED AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 7.12 10. FUNDS TO BE KEPT.
There shall be maintained by the Finance Director a classification of funds which shall provide for a
general fund and funds required by law, ordinance, or resolution and meet generally accepted
accounting standards and procedures. The Council may, by resolution, make interfund loans where
permitted by law except from funds held by the City as a trustee or custodian or in the capacity of an
agent. in the City Treasury the following funds:
A. A general fund for the payment of such expenses of the City as the Council may deem
proper. Into this fund shall be paid all money not provided herein or by statute to be
paid into any other fund.
B. A debt service fund, into which shall be paid all receipts from taxes or other sources
for the payment of principal and interest of all obligations issued by the City except
bonds issued on account of any local improvement to be financed wholly or partly by
special assessments and bonds issued on account of any municipally owned utility.
Out of this fund shall be paid the principal and interest of such obligations when due.
Any surplus in such fund not needed immediately for debt service may be invested
under the direction of the Council in such securities as are authorized by statute for
the investment of such funds and such investments may be liquidated at any time.
C. A bond fund, into which shall be paid and disbursed the proceeds of all bonds issued
by the City except bonds issued on account of any local improvement to be financed
wholly or partly by special assessments and bonds issued on account of any
municipally owned utility. A separate bond account shall be kept for each issue of
such bonds.
D.A special assessment fund, which shall be used to finance local improvements that are
to be paid for, in whole or in part, from special assessments against benefited property.
There shall be paid into this fund: (1) collections of special assessments, with interest,
levied against benefited property; (2) proceeds of bonds or certificates of indebtedness
sold by the City in anticipation of assessment collections and the proceeds of interfund
loans; (3) amounts from other City funds representing either (a) apportionments of
costs against the City at large, (b) benefit assessments against City property, or (c)
appropriations to maintain the integrity of the fund. There shall be paid out of this
fund: (1) all expenses and costs of the improvement projects that are financed through
the fund; (2) the redemption of all special assessment fund bonds and certificates of
indebtedness, with interest, at or before maturity, and any interfund loans; (3) transfers
to the general fund of any unencumbered surplus of the fund, in the discretion of the
Council; and (4) abatements of assessments and refunds of receipts in error. The
Council shall maintain the integrity of this fund by appropriations from tax funds if
necessary, and in addition may by ordinance create and maintain in the fund a cash
reserve sufficient for working capital purposes. In order to anticipate the collection of
Ordinance No. ____ Page 5
special assessments the Council may by a majority vote issue and sell bonds and
certificates of indebtedness, pledging the full faith and credit of the City, or pledging
only special assessments, in such amounts and maturities as it may determine,
regardless of the provisions of Section 7.16 of this Chapter; provided that the
aggregate amount of such bonds and certificates outstanding at any time shall not
exceed the sum of the following;
(1) all assessments levied and uncollected; (2) assessable cost of work in progress;
and (3) the cash reserve for working capital as previously determined by
ordinance. In order that the fund may be administered on a self-sustaining basis,
all improvement projects financed through it shall upon completion be certified
by the City Manager as to total cost, which shall thereupon be apportioned by the
Council either as assessments against benefited property or as amounts due from
other City funds. Amounts apportioned against other City funds shall be due not
later than the dates of adoption of the corresponding assessment rolls, shall be
charged interest as in the case of assessments and shall be paid into the fund, with
any interest due, not later than one (1) year after the due dates.
E. A public utility fund into which shall be paid all money derived from the sale of bonds
issued on account of any municipally owned utility and all money derived from the
sale of utility services, and from the sale of any property acquired for or used in
connection with any such utility. There shall be paid out of this fund the cost of the
purchase, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of such utility, including
the principal of and interest upon obligations which have been or shall be issued on
its account. Separate accounts within the public utility fund shall be kept for all
utilities which are operated separately.
F. In addition to the foregoing funds, there may be maintained in the City Treasury,
whenever the Council deems it advisable, the following funds:
(1) A working capital or revolving fund, for financing self-sustaining activities not
accounted for through other funds.
(2)A trust and agency fund, for the care and disbursement of money received and
held by the City as trustee or custodian or in the capacity of an agent for
individuals or other governmental units.
(3) Such other funds as may be required by statute or ordinance. In lieu of
establishing any of the three (3) foregoing types of funds, Subsections 1, 2, and
3, the Council may provide for the recording of operations or activities for which
the use of such funds night be suitable through the maintenance of separate
accounts in any appropriate fund already established. The Council shall have
full power to make by duly adopted ordinance such interfund loans, except from
funds held under Subsection 2 hereof, as it may deem necessary and appropriate
from time to time.
SECTION VII: THAT SECTION 7.13 RECEIPTS TO GO TO CITY TREASURER BE
HEREBY REPEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.13. RECEIPTS TO GO TO CITY TREASURER.
All receipts of money belonging to the City, or any branch thereof, excepting only those funds
Ordinance No. ____ Page 6
collected by the County Treasurer, shall be paid to the City Treasurer by the person authorized to
receive the same. All such moneys, and also all moneys received upon tax settlements from the
County Treasurer, shall be deposited as soon as possible in a bank or banks approved by the City
Council, subject to state laws regulating the designation of depositories for municipal funds.
SECTION VIII: THAT SECTION 7.14 ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS BE HEREBY
AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.14 11. ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS.
The accounts of the city shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted governmental
accounting standards and procedures. The City Manager shall submit such reports as will be
necessary in order to keep the Council fully informed of the financial conditions of the City. Once a
year in accordance with Minnesota state law, the City Manager shall submit a complete financial
report of the City, for the preceding fiscal year. This report shall contain audited financial
statem
shall be published in the official newspaper in a format consistent with the Minnesota State Auditor
requirements. be the Chief Accounting Officer of the City and of every branch thereof, and the
Council may prescribe and enforce proper accounting methods, forms, blanks, and other devices
consistent with the law, this Charter and the ordinances in accord with it. The City Manager shall
submit to the Council a statement each month showing the amount of money in the custody of the
City Treasurer, the status of all funds, the amount spent or chargeable against each of the annual
budget allowances and the balances left in each and such other information relative to the finances
of the City as the Council may require. The Council may at any time and shall annually provide for
an audit of the City finances by a certified public accountant or by the department of the State
authorized to make examination of the affairs of municipalities. On or before the first day of April
in each year the City Manager shall prepare a complete financial statement in form approved by the
Council of the City's financial operations for the preceding calendar year, and quarter, which
statement may be published in such manner as the Council may direct and a summary thereof shall
be published in the official newspaper on or before the third week in April, July, October and
January as appropriate. (Ref. Ord. 625, Ord. 857)
SECTION IX: THAT SECTION 7.15. BONDED DEBT AND DEBT LIMIT BE HEREBY
AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.15 12. BONDED DEBT AND DEBT LIMIT INDEBTEDNESS.
1. In addition to all the powers in respect to borrowing and the issuance of bonds and other
obligations for the payment of money specifically or impliedly granted by this Charter, and
any amendments thereto, the City shall have all the powers in reference to these subject
matters granted to cities of its same class by the laws of the State of Minnesota state law. in
force from time to time. The City shall have the power to issue and sell its bonds to the State
of Minnesota and to comply with all provisions of law relative to loans to municipalities from
the permanent State funds. The City shall also have such powers as are necessary to obtain
loans or funds from the Government of the United States and any of its instrumentalities or
from the State of Minnesota or any of its instrumentalities, and to comply with all provisions
Ordinance No. ____ Page 7
of law relative to obtaining such loans or funds.
2. The Council by a vote of at least four (4) of its members may authorize the issuance of the
bonds to provide funds for any public purpose not prohibited by law,. or The City Council
may in at its discretion, by a majority vote of all of its members, submit to the electorate
propositions for the issuance of such bonds. When such a proposition is submitted to the
electorate, no bonds or other term obligations of the City may be issued except pursuant to a
favorable vote of a majority of those voting on the proposition of their issuance. By the
proceedings for the issuance of any bonds, by the terms of the bonds and by agreements with
the purchasers of bonds, they may be made special in character and limited in their payment
to earnings or to part earnings and part tax funds. To the extent that they are thus payable out
of earnings or other than tax funds, such bonds shall not be paid out of taxes. The total bonded
debt of the City at the time of the issuance of any bonds shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of
the last assessed valuation of the taxable property therein, or the limit authorized by State law
for cities of the same class, whichever is the greater, but in computing the total bonded debt,
certificates of indebtedness, bonds, warrants or other obligations issued before or after
adoption of this Charter shall not be included or counted if (1) held in a sinking fund
maintained by the City; or (2) issued for the acquisition, equipment, purchase, construction,
maintenance, extension, enlargement or improvement of street railways, telegraph or
telephone lines, water, lighting, heat and power plants, or either, or any other public
convenience from which a revenue is or may be derived, owned and operated by the City, or
the acquisition of property needed in connection therewith, or for the construction of public
drainage ditches, storm and sanitary sewers, or for the acquisition of lands for streets, parks,
or other public improvements or for the improvement thereof, to the extent that they are
payable from the proceeds of assessments levied upon property especially benefited by such
improvements; or (3) issued for the creation of maintenance of a permanent improvement
revolving fund; or (4) for the purpose of anticipating the collection of general taxes for the
year in which issued. (Ref. Ord. 857)
SECTION X: THAT SECTION 7.16. FORM AND REPAYMENT OF BONDS BE
HEREBY REPEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.16. FORM AND REPAYMENT OF BONDS.
No bonds shall be issued to run for longer than the reasonable life expectancy of the property or
improvement for which the bonds are authorized, as ascertained and set forth in the resolution
authorizing such bonds, and in no case shall bonds be issued to run for more than thirty (30) years.
The purposes for which bonds are authorized shall be set forth in the resolution authorizing them and
the proceeds from such bonds shall not be diverted to any other purpose. It shall be the duty of the
City Manager to include in the budget estimates each year a sum or sums amply sufficient to pay the
principal of, and the interest on, any bonds which are to fall due in the coming fiscal year, and another
sum sufficient to pay the interest for the same year on the Bonds which will be still outstanding. It
shall be the duty of the Council, enforceable by mandamus upon the suit of any bondholder or
taxpayer, to include such sum or sums as may be necessary for this purpose in the annual budget
which it passes. (Ref. Ord. 857)
Ordinance No. ____ Page 8
SECTION XI: THAT SECTION 7.17. DEBT AND TAX ANTICIPATION
CERTIFICATES BE HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.17 13. DEBT AND TAX ANTICIPATION CERTIFICATES.
In a manner consistent with Minnesota state law, at any time after January 1, following the making
of an annual tax levy, the council may issue certificates of indebtedness in anticipation of the
collection of taxes levied for any fund and not yet collected. The total amount of the certificates
issued against any fund for any year with interest thereon until maturity shall not exceed ninety
percent (90%) of the total current taxes for the fund uncollected at the time of the issuance. Such
certificates shall be issued on such terms and conditions as the Council may determine but they shall
st
become due and payable not later than the 1 day of April of the year following their issuance. The
proceeds of the tax levied for the fund against which tax anticipation certificates are issued and the
full faith and credit of the City shall be irrevocably pledged for the redemption of the certificates in
the order of their issuance against the fund.
1.If in any year, the receipts from taxes or other sources should from some unforeseen cause
become insufficient for the ordinary expenses of the City, as provided for in the budget, or if
any calamity or other public emergency should subject the City to the necessity of making
extraordinary expenditures, then the Council may authorize the sale by the City Treasurer of
emergency debt certificates to run not to exceed eighteen (18) months and to bear interest at
not more than allowable by State Statutes. A tax sufficient to redeem all such certificates at
maturity shall be levied as part of the budget of the following year. The authorization of an
issue of such emergency debt certificates shall take the form of an ordinance approved by at
least four (4) of the members of the Council; the ordinance may, if deemed necessary, be
passed as an emergency ordinance. (Ref. Ord. 592)
2. For the purpose of providing necessary moneys to meet authorized expenditures, the Council
may issue certificates of indebtedness in any year prior to the receipt of taxes payable in such
year, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, bearing interest at a rate not more
than allowable by State Statutes; provided that such certificates outstanding at any one time
shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the tax levy payable in the current year belonging to
the fund for the benefit of which the borrowing is authorized. (Ref. Ord. 592)
SECTION XII: THAT SECTION 7.18. BONDS OUTSIDE THE DEBT LIMIT BE HEREBY
REPEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.18. BONDS OUTSIDE THE DEBT LIMIT.
Without limit as to amount, the Council may issue bonds for legal purposes outside of the debt limit:
(a) for the creation and maintenance of a permanent improvement revolving fund, (b) for extending,
enlarging, or improving water supply system, lighting and heat and power plants, or either, or other
revenue-producing public utilities of whatever nature, owned and operated by the City, or of acquiring
property needed in connection therewith, (c) for public improvements payable from special
assessments. The Council may also purchase equipment for street department, water or sewer utility,
or fire department use on conditional sale contracts, provided that the installment payments do not
Ordinance No. ____ Page 9
extend beyond the estimated useful life of the equipment so purchased.
SECTION XIII: THT SECTION 7.14. EMERGENCY DEBT CERTFICATES BE
HEREBY CREATED AS FOLLOWS:
Section 7.14. EMERGENCY DEBT CERTIFICATES
If in any year, the receipts from taxes or other sources should from some unforeseen cause
become insufficient for the ordinary expenses of the City, as provided for in the budget, or if any
calamity or other public emergency should subject the City to the necessity of making
extraordinary expenditures, then the Council may by resolution, issue and sell certificates. A tax
sufficient to pay principal and interest on such certificates with the margin required by law shall
be levied as required by law. The authorization of an issue of such emergency debt certificates
shall take the form of a resolution approved by at least four (4) of the members of the council. It
may be passed as an emergency resolution and would be exempt from voter approval.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS
___ DAY OF _______ 20__.
_________________________
SCOTT J. LUND, MAYOR
ATTEST:
__________________________________
DEBRA A. SKOGEN, CITY CLERK
Public Hearing:
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Publication Date:
FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER
CHAPTER 7. TAXATION AND FINANCES.
Section 7.01. COUNCIL TO CONTROL FINANCES.
The Council shall have full authority over the financial affairs of the City, and shall provide for the
collection of all revenues and other assets, the auditing and settlement of accounts, and the
safekeeping and disbursement of public moneys. In the exercise of a sound discretion it shall make
provisions for the payment of all liabilities and expenses. The Council shall establish the fiscal year
for the City.
Section 7.02. POWER OF TAXATION.
1.The City shall have, in addition to the powers by this Charter expressly or impliedly granted,
all the powers to raise money by taxation pursuant to the laws of the State which are applicable
to cities of the class of which it may be a member. The amount of taxes levied against real
and personal property within the City for general City purposes shall not exceed five percent
(5%) more than the prior year tax levy. Moreover, if necessary, the tax levy may be increased
up to an additional three percent (3%) with an affirmative vote of at least four members of the
Council. (Ref. Ord. 592, 1102, 11/7/00 Amendment, and Ord 1345)
Nothing in this provision shall be construed to impair any general obligation the City may
have in support of otherwise lawful indebtedness or similar obligation supported by the full
faith and credit of the City, provided, however, that long-term, general obligation
indebtedness shall not be used for the purpose of funding the routine and daily business
operations of the City. (Ref Ord 1152)
2. The City Council may also levy a tax against real and personal property within the City in
addition to said limit as defined in paragraph 1 provided the Council shall:
A. Adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for an additional tax levy and specifying
the purposes for which such additional tax levy is required.
B. Hold a public hearing pursuant to three (3) weeks' published notice in the official
newspaper of the City setting forth the contents of the resolution described in
Subdivision A.
C.Adopt after such public hearing a resolution by an affirmative vote of a least four (4)
members of the Council which shall be presented as a clear and concise 'plain
language' ballot question at the next regular municipal election. (Ref. Ord. 592, 1102
and 11/7/00 Amendment)
D.The additional tax levy shall take effect if 51% of the votes cast at said election are in
favor of its adoption.
1
3.Any other fees created, or increased beyond the limits set forth in subsection 1, shall require
voter approval as stipulated in subsection 2.
A.For the purposes of this subsection, "fees" includes sales and use taxes, gas and
electric franchise fees and any other fee that produces a tax burden or direct financial
obligation for all property owners and/or residents of Fridley. (Ref Ord 1152, 1244)
B.For the purposes of this subsection, the term "fees" does not include: utility charges,
recycling fees, Parks and Recreation Department participation fees, charges for
photo-copying, sales of municipal liquor store products, or civil and criminal fines
and other charges collected in cases of restitution or violation of law or contract.
The term "fees" also does not include rental housing fees, building permit fees,
liquor license fees, the extension or transfer of cable television service authority to
additional service providers for which fees are already being charged, fees for the
operation of junk yards, annual license fees for the operation of pawn shops and
other regulated business, and any other charge for services, including health and
safety related Code enforcement, and other goods, services or materials routinely
provided by the City to its citizens or other members of the public which, by law,
must be limited to the actual cost of the service being provided. The term "fees"
shall not include any special assessments made under Minnesota state law. (Ref Ord
1152, 1244)
C.All fees and other charges referenced in section B above shall be designed to cover
the cost of the service and anticipated future costs. For the purposes of this
subsection, "fee increase" includes a new tax or fee, a monetary increase in an
existing tax or fee, a tax or fee rate increase, an expansion in the legal definition of a
tax or fee base, and an extension of an expiring tax or fee. (Ref Ord 1152)
D.For the purposes of this subsection, "city" includes the city itself and all its
departments and agencies that are organized to exercise the "Powers of the City" as
defined in Chapter 1 of this Charter. "City" shall not include any body of
government owing its existence to separate constitutional or statutory authority
outside of the Charter, regardless of whether that other body of government has
jurisdiction or performs duties and services within the boundaries of the City. (Ref
Ord 1152)
E.For the purpose of addressing natural disasters this subsection does not apply to any
specific emergency measure authorized in Section 7.08 or state law. (Ref 11/7/00
Amendment, Ord 1345)
Section 7.03. BOARD OF REVIEW.
The Council shall constitute a board of review and shall meet as such in the usual place for holding
Council meetings to review, amend and equalize the assessed valuations according to state law. (Ref.
Special Election 4/12/60, Ord. 592, Ord 1345)
2
Section 7.04. PREPARATION OF ANNUAL BUDGET
The City Manager shall prepare the estimates for the annual budget. The budget shall include all funds
identified by the City Manager as requiring annual budget estimates. The budgetshall include any
estimated deficit/surplus for the current year. The budget shall contain sufficient detail to be readily
understood and contain explanatory statements as deemed necessary.
The estimates of revenues and expenditures for general and special revenue funds shall be by
organizational unit and include comparative figures for the current fiscal year and actual figures for
the two preceding fiscal years. Expenditure estimates shall be divided into three (3) major
subdivisions as follows:
A.Salaries and Wages,
B.Ordinary Expenses,
C.Capital Outlay.
In funds other than general and special revenue, the proposed expenditures shall be presented in an
understandable manner according to the discretion of the City Manager.
Section 7.05. PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET.
The estimated budget shall be a principal item of business at regular meeting(s) prior to the
deadline established in state law, at the times required by law and at subsequent meeting(s) until
the budget is adopted. The meetings shall be so conducted as to give interested citizens a
reasonable amount of time in which to be heard, and an opportunity to ask questions prior to
passage of the final budget. The budget estimates shall be read in full and the City Manager shall
explain the various items thereof as fully as may be deemed necessary by the Council. The adopted
annual budget shall set forth in such detail as may be determined by the City Council, the complete
financial plan of the City for the ensuing fiscal year. It shall indicate the sums to be raised and
from what sources, and the sums to be spent and for what purposes, according to Section 7.04.
The total sum appropriated shall not exceed the total estimated revenue. The Council shall adopt
the budget by resolution in accordance with state law. (Ref. Ord. 625, Ord. 946, Ord 1318, Ord
1345)
Section 7.06. ENFORCEMENT OF THE BUDGET.
It shall be the duty of the City Manager to enforce the provisions of the budget in accordance with
the City Council budget resolution and other financial policies of the City. No officer or employee
of the City shall place any orders or make any purchases except for the purposes and to the amounts
authorized in the budget resolution. Any obligation incurred by an officer or City employee for any
purpose not authorized in the budget resolution or for any amount in excess of the amount
appropriated in the budget resolution or in excess of available moneys in any fund of the City may
be considered a personal obligation upon the person incurring the expenditure. (Ref. Ord. 857)
3
Section 7.07. ALTERATIONS IN THE BUDGET.
After the budget has been duly adopted, the Council shall not have power to increase the amounts
therein fixed in the budget resolution, whether by the insertion of new items or otherwise, beyond
the estimated revenues, unless the actual receipts shall exceed such estimates, and in that event, not
beyond such actual receipts. The Council may at any time, by resolution passed by a vote of at least
four (4) members of the Council, reduce the sums appropriated for any purpose by the budget
resolution or authorize the transfer of sums from the unexpended balances of the budget to other
purposes. (Ref. Ord. 946)
Section 7.08. EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION IN THE BUDGET.
1.The Council shall have power to establish an emergency appropriation as a part of the budget,
but not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total budget. Transfers from the emergency
appropriation to any other appropriation shall be made only by a vote of at least four (4)
members of the Council.
2. The sums transferred to the several departments or divisions shall be considered as a part of
such appropriations and shall be used only for the purposes determined by the city manager
and approved by the Council. (Ref Ord 1345)
Section 7.09. LEVY AND COLLECTION OF TAXES.
In accordance with Minnesota State Law, the Council shall levy by resolution the taxes necessary to
meet the requirements of the budget for the ensuing fiscal year. The tax levy resolution must be
certified to the county in accordance with state law. A statement of all the taxes levied, and such taxes
shall be collected and the payment thereof be enforced with and in like manner as state and county
taxes. No tax shall be invalid by reason of any informality in the manner of levying the same, nor
because the amount levied shall exceed the amount required to be raised for the special purpose for
which the same is levied, but in that case the surplus shall go into a suspense fund, and shall be used
to reduce the levy for the ensuing year. (Ref. Ord. 625, Ord. 946, Ord 1345)
Section 7.10. FUNDS TO BE KEPT.
There shall be maintained by the Finance Director a classification of funds which shall provide for a
general fund and funds required by law, ordinance, or resolution and meet generally accepted
accounting standards and procedures. The Council may, by resolution, make interfund loans where
permitted by law except from funds held by the City as a trustee or custodian or in the capacity of an
agent.
Section 7.11. ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS.
The accounts of the city shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted governmental
accounting standards and procedures. The City Manager shall submit such reports as will be
necessary in order to keep the Council fully informed of the financial conditions of the City. Once a
4
year in accordance with Minnesota state law, the City Manager shall submit a complete financial
report of the City, for the preceding fiscal year. This report shall contain audited financial
shall be published in the official newspaper in a format consistent with the Minnesota State Auditor
requirements
Section 7.12. INDEBTEDNESS.
1. In addition to all the powers in respect to borrowing and the issuance of bonds and other
obligations for the payment of money specifically or impliedly granted by this Charter, and
any amendments thereto, the City shall have all the powers in reference to these subject
matters granted to cities of its same class by Minnesota state law.
2. The Council by a vote of at least four (4) of its members may authorize the issuance of bonds
to provide funds for any public purpose not prohibited by law. The City Council may at its
discretion, by a majority vote of all of its members, submit to the electorate propositions for
the issuance of such bonds. When such a proposition is submitted to the electorate, no bonds
or other term obligations of the City may be issued except pursuant to a favorable vote of a
majority of those voting on the proposition of their issuance.
Section 7.13. TAX ANTICIPATION CERTIFICATES.
In a manner consistent with Minnesota state law, at any time after January 1, following the making
of an annual tax levy, the council may issue certificates of indebtedness in anticipation of the
collection of taxes levied for any fund and not yet collected. The total amount of the certificates
issued against any fund for any year with interest thereon until maturity shall not exceed ninety
percent (90%) of the total current taxes for the fund uncollected at the time of the issuance. Such
certificates shall be issued on such terms and conditions as the Council may determine but they shall
st
become due and payable not later than the 1 day of April of the year following their issuance. The
proceeds of the tax levied for the fund against which tax anticipation certificates are issued and the
full faith and credit of the City shall be irrevocably pledged for the redemption of the certificates in
the order of their issuance against the fund.
Section 7.14. EMERGENCY DEBT CERTIFICATES
If in any year, the receipts from taxes or other sources should from some unforeseen cause
become insufficient for the ordinary expenses of the City, as provided for in the budget, or if any
calamity or other public emergency should subject the City to the necessity of making
extraordinary expenditures, then the Council may by resolution, issue and sell certificates. A tax
sufficient to pay principal and interest on such certificates with the margin required by law shall
be levied as required by law. The authorization of an issue of such emergency debt certificates
shall take the form of a resolution approved by at least four (4) of the members of the council. It
may be passed as an emergency resolution and would be exempt from voter approval.
5
FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER
CHAPTER 8. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Section 8.01. THE CITY PLAN.
The present zoning and comprehensive plans shall be the plans for future physical development of
the City. Plans may be altered from time to time. To alter a zoning plan, the City Council shall
hold a public hearing and notice published fourteen (14) days prior to hearing with notices sent to
affected property owners. It may include provisions for zoning, for: (Ref Ord 1310)
Zoning;
Platting and development of new areas;
Planning and location of public works of art;
Public buildings;
Parks;
Playgrounds;
Bridges;
Public transportation services and facilities;
Other public facilities;
Designing and improving streets;
Designing and improving public places; and
Other matters which may seem essential to the City plan.
Section 8.02. ENFORCEMENT OF CITY PLAN.
The Council shall have all necessary power, acting through the City Manager, to enforce complete
adherence by all persons to the plans adopted as provided above, and to adopt and enforce a
comprehensive zoning ordinance. The Council shall have power to pass ordinances to regulate the
use of private property, the height of buildings, and the proportion of the area of any lot which may
be built upon and to establish building lines. Such power shall be exercised to promote public
health, safety, morals, welfare and convenience.
12/02/2013
Fridley City Charter Section 8.05.2
Section 8.03. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
The City shall have the power to make any and every type of public improvement not forbidden by
the laws of the State and to levy special assessments to pay for all such improvements as are of a
local character, in accordance with Minnesota State Statute Chapter 429, Local Improvements,
Special Assessments. The amounts assessed to benefited property to pay for such local
improvements may equal the cost of the improvements, including all costs and expenses connected
therewith, with interest, until paid, but shall not exceed the benefits to the property.
Section 8.04. LOCAL IMPROVEMENT REGULATIONS.
The City Council may prepare and adopt a comprehensive ordinance, prescribing the procedure
which shall determine all matters pertaining to the making of local improvements thereafter, and
such ordinance shall supplant all other provisions of law on the same subject and may be amended
only by an affirmative vote of at least four (4) members of the City Council. Such ordinance shall
provide for such notice and hearing in the ordering of improvements and the making of assessments
therefore as shall be necessary to meet constitutional requirements. Such ordinance shall also
require a petition of a majority in number and interest of the owners of property to be assessed for
such improvement, or improvements, for the initiation thereof; provided that the City Council may
proceed upon its own initiative hereunder and under such ordinance by resolution adopted by
four/fifths (4/5) affirmative votes of the City Council after a proper notice and hearing. (Ref. Ord.
776)
Section 8.05. PUBLIC WORKS HOW PERFORMED.
1. Public works including all local improvements, may be constructed, extended, repaired or
maintained either by contract or directly by day labor. Before receiving bids the City
Manager shall, under the direction of the City Council have suitable plans and specifications
prepared for the proposed material or project and estimate of the cost thereof in detail. The
award of any contract amounting to more than what is allowable under Minnesota state
statutes shall require an affirmative vote of at least four (4) members of the City Council.
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Fridley City Charter Section 8.05.2
When the best interest of the City will be served thereby, the City Council may organize a
public works department and provide the department with suitable equipment. (Ref. Ord.
1310)
2. The right is reserved to the City Council, upon the recommendation of an engineer, acting
through the public works department, to bid on any work to be let by contract. All contracts
shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder who is qualified in accordance with Minnesota
State Statutes. The term "lowest responsible bidder" shall be interpreted as giving the City
Council the right to accept any bid which it determines to be most advantageous to the City.
The City Council shall reserve the right to reject any or all bids in accordance with
Minnesota State Statute Chapter 429. The City shall require contractors to furnish proper
bonds for the protection of the City, the employees and material person. (Ref. Ord. 776)
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