Opinion ID: 2122942
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Enabling Resolutions Generally and the EDA's Enabling Resolution Specifically

Text: Having concluded that we can and will consider the EDA's enabling resolution, we next explore the general function of enabling resolutions and the contents of this specific resolution. Enabling resolutions are of particular importance for economic development authorities because they define the scope of an authority's powers. In 1987, the Minnesota Legislature enacted legislation regarding the establishment, actions, and powers of economic development authorities. Act of May 28, 1987, ch. 291, §§ 91-109, 1987 Minn. Laws 1500, 1580-97 (codified as amended at Minn.Stat. §§ 469.090-.108 (2008)). A city may establish an economic development authority by adopting an enabling resolution. See Minn.Stat. § 469.091, subd. 1. Under Minn.Stat. § 469.091, subd. 1, an economic development authority may be granted certain powers. These powers include those specifically ascribed to economic development authorities in Minn.Stat. §§ 469.090-.108, as well as housing and redevelopment authority powers delineated in Minn.Stat. §§ 469.001-.047 (2008), and some city powers delineated in Minn. Stat. §§ 469.124-.134 (2008). [3] Among the granted powers is the power to acquire property by condemnation. See Minn. Stat. § 469.101, subd. 4. Minnesota Statutes § 469.101, subd. 2, provides that an economic development authority may exercise the power of eminent domain under chapter 117, or under its city's charter to acquire property. The Legislature also explicitly provides that an enabling resolution may impose... limits upon the actions of an economic development authority. Minn.Stat. § 469.092, subd. 1. Further, a city can later change an economic development authority's powers by modifying the enabling resolution. See Minn.Stat. § 469.092, subd. 2 (stating that an enabling resolution may be modified if the modification is made in accordance with the applicable statutes). The procedures for making such modifications are outlined in Minn. Stat. § 469.093. Under Minn.Stat. § 469.091, subd. 1, the City Council established the EDA when it adopted Resolution 00-17, the Enabling Resolution Establishing an Economic Development Authority for the City of Eagan. In the EDA's enabling resolution, the City Council provided the EDA with the powers of a housing and redevelopment authority under Minn.Stat. §§ 469.001-.047, the powers of a city under Minn.Stat. §§ 469.124-.134, and the powers of an economic development authority as contained in Minn.Stat. §§ 469.090-.108, which include the power to acquire property and to exercise eminent domain. See Minn.Stat. § 469.101. In the enabling resolution, the City Council placed six limits on the EDA's authority, including the requirement that [t]he EDA must submit its plans for development and redevelopment to the City Council for approval in accordance with City planning procedures and laws.