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• Hiring and terminating employment. For example, the city council may make the decision to lay off classes of employees or terminate employment for misconduct. Elwood v. Rice County, 423 N.w.2d 671 (Minn. 1988). Attempts to directly supervise or direct employees, without city council Rico v. state, 472N.w.2d 100 consent or direction, may create unintended legal liability for a mayor. (Minn. 199 toJ'F b. 8, 1994, 561ia Accident of Feb. $ 1994, 561 General) the doctrine of official immunity protects public officials from y� y p N.w.2d 543 (Minn. Ct. App. lawsuits based upon discretionary actions taken in the course of their official 1997) (snowplow driver). Kari v. City of Maplewood, 582 duties. Additionally, state statute requires cities to defend and indemnify N.w.2d 921 (Minn. 1998) council members for any suit arising from their official duties. However, these (emergency vehicle). Kelly v. City of Minneapolis, 598 doctrines may not protect a mayor if they are found to be acting outside the N.w.2d 657 (Minn. Ct. App. scope of their duties. In addition, it is important to note that neither official 1999) (police officer). immunity nor the statute applies when a mayor or council member acts with Minn. Stat. § 466.07. malice or in bad faith. Aside from legal liability, attempting to directly supervise staff may also have the effect of creating confusion for staff, who may receive conflicting direction from multiple sources. This confusion may delay important city actions, create unnecessary expense, or itself be a source of legal liability. 1. Access to employee records Minn. Stat. § 13.43, subd. 1. Most employee data is defined as private data that is not accessible to the Minn. Rule 1205.0400. general public. As a result, access to employee files is limited to individuals whose job duties reasonably require access to private data. Since the mayor or individual council members do not have individual authority over city personnel, they cannot generally access this private information on their own initiative. However, the council could authorize the mayor or an individual council member to view the data for job -related reasons. For example, if the mayor is assigned to an employee review team. VI. Conclusion The Minnesota Mayors Handbook is a starting point for all you need to learn to be a successful mayor. The handbook is designed to highlight key areas of knowledge without being an exhaustive guide. Some sections pinpoint potential legal pitfalls for mayors or advise caution on common areas of liability. The purpose of this guide is to give you just enough information in these critical areas to help you recognize these situations and to know where to turn for more resources and assistance. Minnesota Mayors Chapter 1-42 Association