Municipal Law

Legal Counsel to Minnesota Cities

General Counsel • Special Counsel • Litigation

The term municipal law is commonly used to identify those laws that apply uniquely to cities or that otherwise are frequently relevant to cities. Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, devotes a majority of its practice to serving the specific needs of city government. Since 1958, we have provided continuous representation to cities statewide in Minnesota. Our lawyers currently serve cities throughout Minnesota as general counsel, and provide special counsel and litigation services. We represent cites among all four classes including both statutory and home rule charter cities.

Municipal Law

Our municipal law attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience in the everyday issues confronting city government:

Land Use

• Zoning
• Municipal Planning Act and Metropolitan Land Planning Act
• Comprehensive Plans
• Platting and subdivision regulations
• Conditional uses
• 60 Day Rule – action on written request relating to zoning
• Annexation – orderly and contested
• Purchase and sale of real state

Licensing and Regulation

• Traffic control and parking
• Nuisances – regulation and abatement
• Liquor Licensing and Regulation

Council Meetings and Actions

• Open Meeting Law
• Data Privacy
• Ordinances – notice, publication, enforcement and constitutional standards

Employment and Personnel

• Labor rights, discrimination and wage laws
• Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PERLA) – negotiation and bargaining
• Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA)
• Pensions and Retirement (PERA)
• Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Termination and Discipline

Litigation

• Construction related claims
• Employment disputes
• Enforcement of ordinances
• Land use disputes
• Adult use regulations

Utilities and Telecommunications

• Gas and Electric Franchises
• Cell Phone Towers
• Easements

Environmental Law

• Wetlands, shorelands and flood plains

Eminent Domain and Takings

• Regulatory – inverse condemnations
• Eminent Domain/condemnation for public purposes

Development and Redevelopment

• Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (HRA’s)
• Economic Development Authorities (EDA’s)
• Development Agreements

Municipal Bonds

• General obligations
• Revenue & Private Activity Bonds

Public Finance

• Tax Abatement
• Revenue Bonds
• Tax Increment Financing

Purchasing and Contracts

• Bids and specifications – lowest responsible bidder
• Best value contracting
• Construction

City Revenues

• Property Taxes
• Special Assessments – to finance public improvements
• User Fees – when available and reasonableness

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Attorneys