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See Chapter4. <br />Mayors have no extraordinary authority when it comes to employment. <br />Employment matters are likely to come up at council meetings, and the <br />presiding member is wise to know when the meeting must or can be closed, <br />and when it cannot in relation to employment issues. However, the mayor has <br />no independent authority to hire or fire city staff, and decisions to do so must <br />be the will of council as a whole. <br />Chapter 3: Meeting <br />management <br />Meetings of city council are where the business of the city is conducted and <br />vital decisions for the city's future are made. Meetings are often also the <br />principal place where citizens interact with their governing body and form an <br />impression about their city. As a result, meeting management is one of the <br />most important components of a mayor's duties. <br />I. Role of the mayor in managing <br />meetings <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. 1. <br />The mayor of a statutory city is a member of the council and has the same <br />right to vote and make and second motions at meetings as the other council <br />members. Charter cities may have a different role for the mayor specified in <br />their charter. <br />In addition to participating in meetings, mayors have two additional roles to <br />play. They preside over the meeting to facilitate discussion and they preserve <br />order. <br />A. Role of presiding officer <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. 2. <br />The mayor is the presiding officer of the meeting. In the absence of the mayor, <br />Minn. Stat. § 412.121. <br />the acting mayor must perform the duties of the mayor. The acting mayor is <br />sometimes also called the mayor pro-tem and is usually appointed by the <br />council. <br />See Section 11—Bylaws and <br />The authority of the presiding officer may vary slightly from city to city, <br />rules of order. See Appendix <br />A: Minnesota Mayors <br />depending on the council's bylaw or policies. Typically, however, the presiding <br />Association city council <br />officer at a meeting is the person vested with the authority to: <br />Bylaws. <br />• Call a meeting to order and propose adjournment. <br />• Recognize and call upon speakers. <br />• Call for debate and vote on motions. <br />Minnesota <br />Mayors Chapter 1-15 <br />Association <br />