During the Shorewood City Council work session on May 12th, a discussion regarding the proposed council “bylaws” (pg. 16 here) revealed some stark differences between at least two members regarding roles, responsibilities and the relative authority of elected members.
This discussion was triggered when Councilmember Sanschagrin questioned the proposed language stating that the mayor is “the official head of the city”. As Sanschagrin pointed out, Shorewood is a Minnesota Plan A statutory city which is considered a “weak mayor” form of city government. (Read more here). He stated that his understanding is that the council is the head of the city, collectively. Because this language apparently originated from a League of Minnesota Cities handbook, Sanschagrin reached out to that group and they agreed that they would review the language before the next handbook update.
Mayor Labadie disagreed with Sanschagrin’s premise. She stated that the time she spends as mayor is more than double what she spent as a council member. She proceeded to catalogue various meetings she attends including a recent meeting with State Senator Anne Johnson Stewart “with all her mayors”. The mayor went on to say, “I do think there are times that the mayor represents the city in a formal way, whether the council likes it or not.” Labadie seemed to imply that the effort she devotes to city matters entitles her role as mayor to additional authority. (See the discussion here)
While it is commendable that Mayor Labadie is willing to spend extra time attending meetings, unless the whole council appointed her as representative, these meetings are completely voluntary and not required by state law. Attending many meetings does not automatically bestow the title “official head of the city” on any council member.
Additionally, when the mayor (or any member) attends a meeting, no agreements or commitments should be made without the explicit authorization of the City Council as a whole and a detailed report of these meetings should be communicated to all members of the council.
The whole city council is collectively the final decision maker of roles and responsibilities beyond what is defined in Minnesota state statutes. If the majority of the Shorewood City Council decides to confer on the mayor’s position some honorary title, they are free to do so, but it doesn’t change the core authority of the position as defined in state law. Perhaps a more appropriate title might be “City Council spokesperson”.
Labadie’s attempt to elevate her position above her elected peers on the council and her “whether the council likes it or not” comment is disrespectful to them and their positions. She owes them an apology.
Words matter. Mayors in Plan A cities are not the official head of the city. SCA strongly recommends rejecting the proposed language. No one needs to look very far to see what happens when elected individuals attempt to assert powers they don’t actually have.
Links below for references to Minnesota law:
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 412
Minnesota Statutes 412.191
Minnesota Secretary of State
