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RELEVANT LINKS: <br />League of Minnesota Cities Handbook for Minnesota Cities 6/8/2022 <br />Elected Officials and Council Structure and Role Chapter 6 | Page 27 <br /> D. Presiding officer at council meetings <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. <br />1. <br /> <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.02, subd. 6. <br />Plan A and Plan B statutory city councils are usually composed of five <br />members consisting of the mayor and four council members. In a Standard <br />Plan city, the council consists of the mayor, the clerk, and three council <br />members. Any statutory city, however, may adopt a council size of seven <br />following adoption of a council ordinance and voter approval at the next <br />general city election. <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. <br />2. The mayor serves as presiding officer at council meetings. The mayor <br />generally recognizes speakers for debate and motions, and rules on <br />questions of council procedure. The power to rule on council procedure is <br />especially significant because once rulings are made they are binding on <br />the council, unless the council votes to challenge them. <br /> <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. <br />2. <br />A statutory city mayor can vote on all motions put before the council but <br />does not have the right to veto council actions. The right of the mayor to <br />make and second motions is implied from the mayor’s privilege of voting <br />and taking part in regular council deliberations. The mayor has an <br />obligation to be impartial and objective in conducting the meeting. To <br />maintain this objectivity, many mayors choose to minimize making or <br />seconding motions, and to allow other members of the council to speak <br />before expressing an opinion. Mayors may also call special meetings. <br /> E. Weed inspector <br />Minn. Stat. § 18.80, subds. 2, <br />3. The mayor is the city weed inspector. The city may appoint one or more <br />assistant weed inspectors. An assistant weed inspector has the same power, <br />authority, and responsibility of the mayor in the capacity of weed <br />inspector. <br />Minn. Stat. § 18.81, subd. 2. Local weed inspectors examine all lands, including highways, roads, and <br />alleys, to determine if the landowner has complied with the rules regarding <br />the eradication of noxious weeds. Weed inspectors also issue permits for <br />the transportation of materials infested with noxious, weed-propagating <br />parts. A claim for the expenses of performing the weed inspector’s duties <br />is a legal charge against the city. <br /> F. Election duties <br />Minn. Stat. § 204C.07, <br />subds. 3, 4. Mayors of all cities have election duties. At elections where cities will vote <br />on a question, the mayor, upon receiving a written petition signed by at <br />least 25 eligible voters, must appoint one voter for each precinct to act as a <br />challenger of voters in the polling place. <br />30