charter amendment
June 12, 2019, Jennissen Supreme Court Oral Argument
On June 12, 2019, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the voter rights case arising out of the city of Bloomington’s organized collection of trash. The legal issues presented in Jennissen v Bloomington are procedurally distinguishable from the issue presented in our referendum lawsuit, Clark, et al v, City of St. Paul, et…
Read MoreCity Withdraws Penalty Ordinance
Instead of voting on its “penalty power” ordinance 19-18, at its May 8, 2019, meeting, the city council withdrew it. Apparently, the council could not get the unanimous approval of all seven ward members, a requirement for charter amendments. Since no vote was taken, there is no record to identify who among the individual ward…
Read MoreCharter Change Lacks Transparency
Sunday’s May 5, 2019, Pioneer Press offers a thoughtful opinion on the city’s proposed “penalty power” charter amendment. This piece comes from the steering committee of the civic group known as St. Paul Strong. St. Paul Strong is dedicated to the purpose of bringing greater transparency to the function of our city government. The authors…
Read MoreMay 8 Council Meeting Charter Amendments
According to the agenda for its regular May 8 meeting, the council is due to vote on two significant ordinances to amend our City Charter. These are items 21 and 22, at page 6 of this agenda. Item 21 pertains to ordinance 19-16, which will amend the signature requirements applicable to citizen petitions. We believe…
Read MoreCouncil Delays Penalty Power Vote until May 8
On April 24, 2019, the city council decided to delay its vote on ordinance 19-18, which would give the council broad powers to enact and enforce penalties for violations of any ordinance. In order to enact this ordinance to amend our City Charter, the council needs to obtain a unanimous vote. Council members, Jane Prince…
Read More