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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ADVISORY BOARD AND COMMISSION POLICY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Document Purpose <br />The City Council is responsible for the actions of its advisory boards and commissions and this policy serves to <br />provide guidance to those bodies. The Council expectation is that this policy is clearly understood and followed. <br />Councilmembers welcome requests for discussion or clarification of information provided in this policy. The <br />Council goals are clear communication and impeccable service to the residents of Elk River. The terms board and <br />commission shall be used interchangeably throughout this document. <br /> <br />Creation of Advisory Commissions and Independent Commissions <br />State statutes govern the creation of council advisory commissions that are authorized to exercise the duties the <br />Council has legally assigned. They are frequently authorized to conduct investigations and make recommendations. <br /> <br />Advisory commissions shall not make decisions on behalf of the Council. Councils routinely accept commission <br />recommendations if the commission has done a thorough and competent job. Commissioners must understand <br />that the Council has the independent final decision on all matters before them and is not beholden to commission <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />The Council creates and dissolves advisory commissions as they deem appropriate, has the power to appoint and <br />remove members, and exercise powers of general supervision. Per Minnesota Statutes Sections 462.351-462.365, a <br />planning commission must be established by ordinance and once established may only be dissolved by an <br />ordinance passed by a 2/3-majority vote of the Council. <br /> <br />There are two types of commissions, independent and advisory. Statutes establish most independent commissions <br />and give them some discretionary powers. Advisory commissions conduct studies and investigations on behalf of <br />the Council and submit reports and recommendations for Council consideration. Advisory commission decisions <br />do not take effect until the Council has accepted the decision by passing an ordinance or resolution. <br /> <br />Advisory Commissions <br />The City of Elk River currently has five standing advisory commissions. They are: <br /> Heritage Preservation Commission  Planning Commission <br /> Multipurpose Facility Commission  Energy City Commission <br /> Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> <br />Independent Commissions <br />The discretionary power of the following Elk River independent commissions varies per state statute. <br /> The Economic Development Authority (EDA) is established as authorized by Minn. Stat., Sect. <br />469.090-469.108, to include, but not be limited to, promoting commercial and industrial growth and <br />development in the City of Elk River. <br /> The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) in and for the City of Elk River was created by an <br />act of the Legislature of the State of Minnesota entitled the “Municipal Housing and Redevelopment <br />Act,” Minn. Stat., Sect. 469.001-469.089. The HRA may not transact any business or exercise any <br />powers until the Council, by resolution, finds the city has substandard, slum, or blighted areas that <br />cannot be redeveloped without government assistance; or, has a shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary <br />Page 1 of 6 <br />