Download to read offline
Introduction To The Mn Basic Code
- 1. Introduction to theMN BASIC CODENarrated by Codification Staff Attorney Rachel Carlson
- 2. What is theMinnesota Basic Code?A Code of Ordinances for YOUR City.Designed to replace current, outdated ordinances.
- 3. The MBC isa SUBSCRIPTION SERVICENew bi-annual updates arrivein the mail.Updates reflect changes infederal and state laws, rules and court decisions.Limit city’s legal liability.
- 4. Updates Save Money!ReduceLegal fees for Attorney Review.Reduce Staff Time Spent on Codification and Updates.
- 5. Who Produces theMBC?League of MN Cities Staff Attorneys with over 40 Years of Codification Experience.Working with our Codification Partner American Legal Publishing.
- 6. Why Switch tothe MBC?Organization! The MBC can help you move from this . . . To This!
- 7. Save Staff TimeTheMBC Arrives:Indexed and tabbed;Available on disk to besearchable and uploaded to the city website.
- 8. Build Public ConfidenceCityResidents Expect:To Be Able to Understand the Rules.Prompt Access.Efficient and Accurate Service.
- 9. Limit Legal LiabilityUpto Date Ordinances Help Limit Potential Legal LiabilityThe MBC keeps current withchanges in federal, state laws and regulations.The MBC monitors changes in federal and state case law.
- 10. What Topics Doesthe MBC Cover?Blight & nuisancesWater, sewer and rubbish collectionAdult usesAnimal regulationsBusiness licensing (liquor, tobacco, gambling, tattoos)Optional zoning and subdivision provisions
- 11. Contact InformationObtain aMBC Preview CopyRay Bollhauer, Staff AttorneyAmerican Legal PublishingCodification ConsultantRBollhauer@amlegal.com1-800-445-5588Questions about the MBCRachel Carlson, Staff Attorneyrcarlson@lmc.org651-281-1226 or 1-800-925-1122
Editor's Notes
- #2 Welcome to this narrated introduction to the Minnesota Basic Code. My name is Rachel Carlson and I am a staff attorney for the League of MN Cities.
- #3 The Minnesota Basic Code (or MBC) is a complete ordinance book designed for cities under 1,000. Once adopted by your city, the MBC will replace your old and outdated ordinance book with a completely new code that is current with legal developments, organized and easy to interpret and enforce.
- #4 The MBC is also a subscription service. This means that we update the code when the law changes and send you the needed revisions. The updates help reduce the city’s potential legal liability from old, out of date ordinances.
- #5 The regular bi-annual updates to the MBC also helps the city save on the costs of attorneys fees and staff time needed to review and revise city ordinances.
- #6 The League of Minnesota Cities developed the MBC for our members. Our member cities in smaller communities under 1000 let us know that they were having a difficult time maintaining and updating their ordinances. Each new legislative session brings the potential for new changes to the laws that effect cities. In addition, court cases can require cities to make changes. The MBC is drafted by LMC staff attorneys and published by American Legal Publishing. American Legal has over 130 years of experience in the codification business. Because the MBC is drafted in house by LMC, the costs to your city are kept low.
- #7 Why should a city switch to the MBC? The MBC can help you with organization. Old, uncodified ordinances can look like a stack of messy papers and numerous binders. Revisions may be difficult to follow, as various amendments accumulate over the years. Pages may be lost. Some ordinances may even be handwritten and illegible. The MBC comes neatly bound in a single volume with a table of contents, tabbed sections and an index. Ordinances are grouped together by subject and clearly labeled for ease of reference.
- #8 A switch to the MBC can save city staff time by making the ordinances staff needs to do their job easily accessible. The MBC can even be purchased on a computer disk with a searchable format and uploaded to your City’s website.
- #9 City residents expect to be able to clearly understand the rules that apply to them. Public confidence builds when the city’s ordinances are both easy to access and understand.
- #10 Federal and state laws and rules can change each year. Court cases may be decided daily. Changes in the law can require concurrent amendments to city ordinances or invalidate city ordinances. With so much going on, it can be hard for cities to keep up. Out of date ordinances can create legal liability for a city when it tries to enforce them. Out of date ordinances may be ruled unenforceable by a court, leaving a city without the protections the ordinance was designed to guarantee.
- #11 The MBC is designed to be the “right” amount of regulation for smaller cities under 1000. The MBC protects and promotes the welfare of residents without creating an unworkable enforcement burden for smaller staffs. Some of the most important subjects covered in the MBC are:1) Blight & nuisances (such as junked cars and unmowed lawns)2) Water, sewer and refuse collection systems3) Adult uses such as strip clubs and bookstores4) Animal regulations5) Business licensing for liquor, tobacco, gambling and tattoo parlorsThere is even an optional zoning and subdivision section
- #12 Thank you for your time today and for learning about the Minnesota Basic Code. The LMC Codification Service is proud to offer this opportunity to our members to obtain up to date ordinances at a reasonable cost. To subscribe to the MBC or to obtain a review copy, please contact Ray Bollhauer at American Legal. His contact information is on this slide. For general questions about the content of the MBC or information on adopting the MBC, please contact Rachel Carlson, Staff Attorney at the League of MN Cities.