Title
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN ORDINANCE REVIEW AND MODERNIZATION TASK FORCE.
Body
BY COUNCILOR HOBBS:
WHEREAS, on March 6, 1870, the Minnesota State Legislature made the town of Duluth the City of Duluth and on April 4, 1870, Duluth held its first elections and adopted a mayor-council system of government; and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 1913, a commission form of government was adopted with a mayor and four elected commissioners placed in charge of different aspects of city government; and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 1956, Duluth abandoned the Commission form of government and again adopted the mayor/city council form of government we have today; and
WHEREAS, the Duluth City Code has grown and changed over the last 150 years reflecting the legal, social, and economic priorities of the time; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the public, the council and the administration to periodically review ordinances for the purposes of current application, consistency and possible contradictions; and
WHEREAS, the community benefits from a clear and understandable City Code.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council establishes an ordinance review and modernization task force consisting of the following members:
• Three city councilors appointed by the council president;
• The city’s chief administrative officer;
• The city attorney;
• The city clerk;
• The city’s director of administrative services; and
• The city’s human right’s officer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ordinance review and modernization task force may request additional assistance from city staff and local experts as needed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ordinance review and modernization task force refer code changes to the city council through standard ordinance change process, refer charter changes to the charter commission for review and recommendation, and request proposed ordinances for review from the city’s boards and commissions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ordinance review and modernization task force shall terminate on December 31, 2023.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution establishes a task force to review and modernize city ordinances for the purpose of reviewing the City Code for clarity and consistency and recommending appropriate amendments.