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Minn. Stat. § 462.3595, subd. • Granting of a conditional use permit. 2. Minn. Stat. § 412.851. . Vacation of any street, alley, public grounds, public way, or any part thereof. Minn. Stat. § 414.033, suba. • Annexation by ordinance. 2b. Minn. Stat. § 429.031. • Public improvements that will be specially assessed. There are numerous other instances where a public hearing is required by state statute. When a public hearing is a legal requirement, it is important that the specific statute imposing the hearing be read and all conditions related to notice of the hearing be followed carefully. Often there are special notice requirements that are more substantial than the notice that is needed for a simple special meeting. For example, hearings mandated for zoning ordinance amendments have special notice requirements that may obligate the city to mail individual notices to nearby landowners. While a mayor should be generally aware of these requirements, usually city staff will keep abreast of them and work with council to ensure compliance. 3. Conducting public hearings The focus of a public hearing is different from a regular council meeting. A public hearing is a meeting where members of the public can express their opinions. The mayor presides at the meeting in order to regulate the hearing and make sure that people who want to speak on the issue get the opportunity. The council does not deliberate or discuss matters during the public hearing portion of this type of meeting; instead, it listens to the public. Once the public comment period is finished, the council will often wrap up the meeting or move to the next agenda item. In order to recess or continue a meeting of this sort, the council should not formally end the public comment part of the hearing. If the city would like to continue a public hearing, there would need to be a motion to continue the public hearing to a specific time, date, and place. V. Building an adequate record Council meetings, including any special public hearings, are where city decisions are made, and city business is conducted. Because city business affects citizens in vital and sometimes personal ways, such as the approval or denial of a land use permit, cities are required to keep an adequate record of their proceedings. In addition, an adequate record can be a vital tool in defending the city's decisions should a lawsuit result. Minnesota Mayors Chapter 1-22 Association