RES 17-17City of Elk River
Ver City Council
Resulution 1 i -1L
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Supporting Local Decision -
Making Authority
WHEREAS, local elected decision -makers are in the best position to determine what health, safety
and welfare regulations best serve their constituents; and
WHEREAS, just like state legislative leaders, local elected officials are held accountable through
Minnesota's robust elections process; and
WHEREAS, ordinances at the local level are enacted only after a comprehensive, legal and open
process; and
WHEREAS, local units of government are required to publish notices about meetings where policies
will be discussed and decisions will be made; and
WHEREAS, under the state's Open Meeting Law, public policy discussions and decisions must occur
in meetings that are accessible to members of the public; and
WHEREAS, cities are often laboratories for determining public policy approaches to the challenges
that face residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, preservation of local control in Minnesota has yielded statewide benefits such as the
2007 Freedom to Breathe Act, an amendment to the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act; and
WHEREAS, more than two dozen bills that restrict local decision-making have been introduced in
2017 to date.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota, as follows: that this Council supports local decision-making authority and opposes
legislation that removes the ability for local elected officials to respond to the needs of their businesses
and constituents.
Passed and adopted this 3.d day of April 2017
AT:
.TC_
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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