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Council adopts updated Minnesota Government Data Practices Act policy after discussion about naming a responsible authority
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 25‑07‑2101 updating its Minnesota Government Data Practices Act policy (5–0); the city attorney advised that if the resolution does not name an individual the statute still designates the chief city officer as the responsible authority, and the council discussed pros and cons of naming a specific person.
The New Prague City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25‑07‑2101, an annual update to the city’s Minnesota Government Data Practices Act policy.
Staff presented the policy as an annual review; the city attorney noted the statute and administrative rules differ slightly in guidance. Scott Riggs told the council that if the resolution does not name a specific individual, Minnesota law provides a fallback that designates the chief city officer as the responsible authority, but acknowledged the League of Minnesota Cities’ guidance advises naming a specific person in the resolution. The council discussed operational risks of naming a particular individual (for example, personnel changes) and the option of naming a title instead of a person.
After discussion the council voted 5–0 to adopt the updated policy. Staff said it will continue to review the policy annually and update it if legislative changes require revisions.
What happens next: staff will finalize the resolution language and post the adopted policy; the city will follow statutory requirements for data‑practice requests and records retention.
