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Shorewood council debates draft bylaws and the mayor’s representational role
Summary
Councilmembers discussed proposed council bylaws focused on ex parte communications and the mayor’s representational duties; debate centered on whether language should emphasize a 'weak mayor' council‑led government or recognize mayoral representational activities in practice.
City Administrator Nevinski presented draft council bylaws on May 12, describing them as largely reflective of current practice and intended for council feedback.
Councilmember Maddy questioned language that could be read as broadly restricting members’ communications, referencing Statute 13.D. Councilmember Sanschagrin expressed concern that some draft language could create a misperception about the mayor’s role in a weak‑mayor system and suggested tightening the language. "I appreciated all the time Mayor Labadie was spending representing the City, but that was where some confusion came in with some of those activities," Sanschagrin said, urging clarity about when the mayor formally represents the city.
Mayor Jennifer Labadie responded that her representational duties (regional mayor meetings, Mayor's Association events, meetings with state legislators) sometimes require acting in a forum attended only by mayors and asked staff to provide language from the Mayor's Handbook and the League of Minnesota Cities for side‑by‑side review. Nevinski said the draft language was drawn from the handbook and staff would bring comparative language for council review. Councilmember Gorham and others noted additional edits but said time and an absent councilmember suggested returning the item for fuller discussion.
The council did not adopt bylaws at the work session and asked staff to return with comparative language and edits for a future meeting.
