Charter amendment background

We explain how the Government Structure Charter Amendment was developed.

The process for changing our city government

Proposal

The Charter Commission created the proposal to establish an “Executive Mayor-Legislative Council” structure. The goal was to define and clarify executive and legislative responsibilities.

See Charter Commission’s final report on the amendment

The Charter Commission:

  • Defined how the Charter would change
  • Drafted and approved the ballot language
  • Sent it to the City Council for its approval

City Attorney review

The City Attorney's Office found the amendment to be:

  • A proper subject for the Minneapolis Charter
  • Constitutional and in compliance with the law
  • Suitable for a general election ballot question

City Council adoption

After several revisions, the City Council adopted the following ballot question: 

"Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to adopt a change in its form of government to an Executive Mayor-Legislative Council structure to shift certain powers to the Mayor, consolidating administrative authority over all operating departments under the Mayor, and eliminating the Executive Committee?"

See the final approved government structure ballot language

Voter approval

  • The question appeared on the November 2021 ballot.
  • Voters approved it, with 52.41% voting yes.
  • That proposal (Charter Amendment No. 184) becomes effective Dec. 3, 2021. 

For more details, see the legislative file:

Proposal to amend the City Charter: Government Structure: Executive mayor - legislative council

Reorganization

After the ballot question approval, the Mayor's Office formed a work group to recommend changes to the city's organization.

Read the Work Group report

The Mayor worked with City Council to create a department organization that supports his new leadership role. The new organization features four direct reports to the Mayor:

  • City Operations Officer to lead the Office of Public Service
  • Community Safety Commissioner to lead the Office of Community Safety
  • City Attorney to function as the chief legal officer of the City and head of its legal department
  • Chief of Staff to manage the Office of Mayor

The Office of Public Service joins all operational departments under the centralized leadership of the City Operations Officer.

The Office of Community Safety integrates the work of all community safety departments and functions under the leadership of the Community Safety Commissioner.