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BET president proposes charter amendments to add member and allow standing alternates
Summary
President Steve Brandt proposed adding a seventh elected member to the Board of Estimate and Taxation and permitting council-appointed standing alternates to address recurring quorum problems; commissioners debated timing, political feasibility and legal paths but took no formal action.
Steve Brandt, president of the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation, opened a discussion on April 22 about proposed charter amendments that would add a seventh elected member to the board and permit the council president and the budget committee chair to appoint standing designees to attend BET meetings when council members cannot.
Brandt said the recommendation grew from repeated quorum shortfalls. "The quorum issue is one that's dogged us this year," he said, arguing that adding a seventh member would provide a margin of error and produce an odd-numbered membership to avoid tie votes.
The proposal drew a range of responses. Commissioner Chughtai said she supported alternates and a seventh seat and emphasized respect for staff who must attend evening meetings: allowing vice chairs or designated alternates could help keep business moving. Commissioner Payne urged caution on timing, noting the Charter Commission is weighing multiple substantive and technical amendments and that bundling items could complicate a ballot process. "There are a number of charter amendments that are largely non-controversial, technical in nature," Payne said, but he warned that the council-appointed vs. ballot paths carry different requirements.
City attorney Mr. Hammer summarized the amendment routes and deadlines: changes can go to voters via a ballot question (by petition or via the Charter Commission) or be advanced by ordinance, which for technical, noncontroversial changes typically requires a unanimous 13-0 city council vote plus the mayor's signature. He noted calendar constraints for placement on this year's ballot, citing a roughly 17-week timeline and up to 150 days for Charter Commission review.
Some commissioners expressed reservations about expanding membership purely as a quorum fix. Commissioner Olson, who arrived late, cautioned that an odd-numbered membership can reduce the need for supermajorities and that district-based seats could encourage parochial voting. Vice President Bernstein questioned whether adding seats would generate competitive elections and suggested the board should first try to make its meetings so essential that members prioritize attendance. Commissioner Payne also recommended developing a stronger, more agenda-driven role for BET rather than expanding membership as a first step.
Brandt asked the attorney to explore draft language and potential next steps; the board did not vote on any charter amendments at the meeting and left the matter for further drafting and discussion.
No formal action was taken on changing the charter; the discussion will inform any future resolution or referral to the Charter Commission and City Council.
