Board backs charter change request to let council vice presidents fill in to maintain quorum

President Steve Brandt called the Board of Estimate and Taxation to order and introduced a proposed resolution asking the Charter Commission and Minneapolis City Council to consider a charter change that would allow council vice presidents and budget-committee vice chairs to serve in the board president's stead when necessary to maintain a quorum. "A resolution has been drafted to propose pursuing a charter change via the Charter Commission and the city council," Executive Secretary Christina Keitling said as she presented the item.

The move responds to "continuing issues we've had in achieving and maintaining a quorum," Brandt said, citing multiple demands on some board members. Commissioner Bernstein, who introduced the resolution, told colleagues the measure largely formalizes work the board and council already began when they jointly studied alternative revenue sources. Bernstein said the change would let designated council leaders "step into the president's role in order to help us achieve quorum whenever the presidents are not available."

Commissioner Olsen asked whether the Board of Estimate and Taxation would retain any authority to require how pilot funds are used; members agreed the board could only recommend and that the ultimate authority over charter text and binding roles rests with the Charter Commission and city council. Council President Payne voiced support but emphasized that any such change would require broader policymaker discussion.

The board recorded four ayes on the roll call and the resolution was adopted. The resolution asks the Charter Commission and City Council to consider the change; it does not itself alter the charter or the board's authority. The item will proceed through the Charter Commission and City Council for next steps.