Opinion: Proposed City Charter Amendment: "Government Structure: Executive Mayor and Legislative Council" - What it's About and Why You Should Care
Sunday, August 29, 2021 at 2:15PMSubmitted by Mary Moos, Resident Southeast Minneapolis
There is a very important city election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Minneapolis will choose its city officials. This is pretty simple to understand so far. Now for the seemingly confusing part. The ballot will also include three amendments to our City Charter. The City Charter is our constitution. Minneapolis is required by State law to have a City Charter.
One amendment recommends the city adopt a system of rent control.
Another amendment requires the disbanding of the Police Department along with the Police Chief and instead, instituting a new department…the Department of Public Safety. This new department would have police ‘only if necessary.’
I am most interested in this next amendment. And you should be too. The future quality of life in Minneapolis depends on it. The ability of our city to exercise its full potential and take it’s place as one of the great cities in the Upper Midwest. This cannot happen without your support. Officially it is called the Government Structure; Executive Mayor and Legislative Council Amendment. This amendment will be listed first on your ballot.
Yes, it’s a mouthful. It sounds more confusing than it is. In reality it is quite simple.
Our current city government is without a well defined organizational structure. There is no single source of accountability. No one to say the buck stops here. All thirteen Council People and the Mayor are able to give orders to each of the department heads with equal authority. They also have the ability to seek retribution if their orders are not carried out. Having fourteen bosses is at the least confusing and at the worst dysfunctional. As a result there is extraordinary turnover within each department. In the last year the city has lost over eight key positions. Recruiting new experienced and competent people is difficult under the circumstances. We need and deserve the best most experienced city employees available.
I can’t imagine any business operating this way.
Minneapolis must simplify and clarify its government structure. We don’t need to invent this from scratch. And we don’t need band aid solutions. There are effective models for Minneapolis to adopt and easily implement. The Federal and State Governments are perfect examples.
Executive and Legislative Branch.
Under this amendment the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer and has the authority and accountability to propose the annual budget. The Mayor is accountable to all residents of the city for the day to day operations once the City Council approves the budget.
The Mayor also nominates the designated Department Heads who are responsible for the delivery of basic city services. The City Council must approve the Mayor’s recommendations. This amendment sets a clear path for Minneapolis to reform the police department and transform public safety.
The City Council will be the Legislative Policy making body. It defines the level of city services within city ordinances and the Annual Operating and Capital Budgets. Council members will have the responsibility for advocating and ensuring equity in the delivery of services. They will have oversite to ensure the work is done according to the policies they have set and within the financial parameters via independent audits. The responsibilities of the Mayor and the City Council are clearly stated in this Amendment.
What this means to you, the voter, is that emergencies like the riots of last spring can and will be addressed sooner with speed and compassion and without petty turf arguments.
It means that whatever the outcome of the other amendments, there will be a clear common-sense road map for implementing police reform. Currently there is none. Each department head struggles with serving fourteen bosses.
It means that the much needed police reforms can take place systematically without jeopardizing the safety of any resident. At a time when city-wide homicides are at and all time high, emotional knee-jerk reactions are not appropriate.
Yes, you will still have access to your city council person. That person will still have the responsibility to advocate for their ward. And you will have peace of mind knowing that Minneapolis city government is working equitably for you today and for the long-term future of our city.
Vote YES on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 for:
