CHARTER
Editor’s note:
According to “History of the Minnesota Valley” (pages 480, 481), by the Rev. Edward D. Nell, 1882, North Star Publishing Co., Minneapolis, Le Sueur “dates its birth in 1852, one year previous to the creation of Le Sueur County... In its early history there were three villages, Le Sueur, Middle Le Sueur and Le Sueur City, also the township of Le Sueur.” Rev. Neill goes on to relate that Le Sueur was first incorporated June 10, 1858, and Le Sueur City was first incorporated seven days later. “For nine years thereafter the two villages vied with each other, neither observing any regularity in civil matters. On March 9, 1867, by special act of the legislature, the two rival villages were incorporated in one borough town, Le Sueur,” and village officers were appointed. “In February, 1871, to avoid the necessity of two sets of officials, the township organization was done away with, and the entire territory included in one borough town of Le Sueur.”
Le Sueur is now a city of the fourth class, and the home rule Charter set out herein was adopted at a special election held March 9, 1971, at which more than 51% of the votes cast were marked in favor of adoption; it took effect 30 days thereafter, as provided in § 1.05. Copies of the Charter have been filed by the city clerk in his own office and in the offices of the secretary of state and the register of deeds of Le Sueur County, together with certification and information as required by M.S. § 410.11.
In setting out the Charter herein, the editors have adopted a uniform system of capitalization and, in a few sections, have added words in brackets for purposes of clarification. Some of the section catchlines have been changed and enlarged so as to more fully indicate the contents of such section, and the catchlines are not to be regarded as official. No other changes have been made in the Charter as herein set out.
For state law as to requirement that courts take judicial notice of home rule charters as attested and filed in office of secretary of state, county recorder and municipal clerk, see M.S.A. § 410.11. As to the City Charter here set out being prima facie evidence in the courts, see § 10.01 of this Code, and cross-references thereunder to applicable state law. For state law as to home rule charters generally, and procedures for amendment thereof, see M S.A. Chapter 410.
Section
Chapter 1. Name, Boundaries, Powers and General Provisions
1.01 Name and boundaries
1.02 City boundaries; jurisdiction beyond city for certain purposes
1.03 Additional territory for police and sanitary purposes
1.04 Powers of the city
1.05 Charter a public act; effective date
Chapter 2. Form of Government
2.01 Form of government
2.02 Boards and commissions
2.03 Elective officers
2.04 Incompatible offices
2.05 Vacancies in the council
2.06 The mayor; president pro tem
2.07 Salaries and wages
2.08 Investigation of city affairs
2.09 At-large elections
Chapter 3. Procedure of Council
3.01 Council meetings; when newly elected members assume duties of office
3.02 City clerk
3.03 Rules of procedure; quorum
3.04 Ordinances, resolutions and motions
3.05 Procedure on ordinances
3.06 Emergency ordinance
3.07 Procedure on resolutions
3.08 Signing and publication of ordinances and resolutions; adoption of codes, etc., by reference
3.09 When ordinances and resolutions take effect
3.10 Amendment and repeal of ordinances and resolutions
3.11 Revision and codification of ordinances
Chapter 4. Nominations and Elections
4.01 The regular municipal election
4.02 Special elections
4.03 Nominations by petition
4.04 Nomination petitions
4.05 Procedure at elections
Chapter 5. Initiative, Referendum and Recall
5.01 Powers reserved by the people
5.02 Expenditures by petitioners
5.03 Further regulations
Initiative
5.04 Initiation of measures
5.05 Form of petition and of signature papers
5.06 Filing of petitions and action thereon
5.07 Action of council on petition
5.08 Initiative ballots
5.09 Initiation of charter amendments
Referendum
5.10 The referendum
5.11 Referendum petitions
5.12 Referendum ballots
Recall
5.13 The recall
5.14 Recall petitions
5.15 Filing of petition
5.16 Recall election
5.17 Procedure at recall election
5.18 Form of recall ballot
Chapter 6. Administration of City Affairs
6.01 The council
6.02 Powers and duties of the council
6.03 Departments of administration
6.04 Purchases and contracts
6.05 Procedure governing purchases and letting of contracts
Chapter 7. Taxation and Finances
7.01 Council to control finances
7.02 Fiscal year
7.03 System of taxation
7.04 Boarding of equalization
7.05 Preparation of the annual budget
7.06 Passage of the budget
7.07 Enforcement of the budget
7.08 Alterations in the budget
7.09 Emergency appropriation in budget
7.10 How disbursements made
7.11 General and special funds to be maintained
7.12 Accounting procedure
7.13 City indebtedness
7.14 Tax anticipation certificate
7.15 Emergency debt certificates
Chapter 8. Public Improvements and Special Assessments
8.01 Power to make improvements and levy assessments
8.02 Local improvements and regulations
Chapter 9. Eminent Domain
9.01 Power to acquire property
9.02 Proceedings in acquiring property
Chapter 10. Franchises
10.01 Franchises required
10.02 Term
10.03 Public hearing
10.04 Power of regulation reserved
10.05 Renewals of extensions
Chapter 11. Public Ownership and Operation of Utilities
11.01 Acquisition and operation of utilities
11.02 Rates and finances
11.03 Purchases in bulk
11.04 Lease of plant
11.05 How public utilities may be sold
Chapter 12. Miscellaneous and Transitory Provisions
12.01 Official publications: official newspaper
12.02 Oath of office
12.03 City officers not to be interested in contracts
12.04 Official bonds
12.05 Sales of real property
12.06 Vacation of streets
12.07 City to succeed to rights and obligations of former city
12.08 Present officers to hold office until time herein stated; election and terms of future mayors and councilmen
12.09 Statutes not affected by charter
12.10 Existing ordinances and regulations continued in effect
Chapter 13. Charter Commission
13.01 Charter Commission membership