The City of Robbinsdale is a Charter City establishing the "Council-Manager Plan." This means that the Robbinsdale City Council sets the policy direction and the City Manager is responsible for the administration of the city including day-to-day operations and hiring City staff.  The Mayor is the presiding officer of the council.  The Mayor and City Council each have equal votes on all motions.  The City Manager is appointed for an indefinite period and the city manager shall be removed at the discretion of the council at any time by a three-fifths vote.

The original City Charter was adopted November 8, 1938.

What determines what City Government can and cannot do and why is the City Charter important?

Certain powers not granted to the Federal government are reserved for States and the people, which are divided between State and local governments. Local governments include counties, cities, townships and other bodies.  The purpose of this section is to focus on the City of Robbinsdale.

• Local governments have no powers except those granted by the State. Power to cities is defined throughout State Statutes. Robbinsdale's main functions are public safety (including police, fire, building inspection), public works (including maintenance and repair of streets, sanitary and storm sewer, parks, signage, city buildings), and recreation services.
• Robbinsdale is a Third class city (population between 10,001 and 20,000.) Sections of State law apply differently based on a city classification. Again, staying general, this means that Robbinsdale is limited in what it is able to do and may not be required to some things required of larger cities.
• Robbinsdale is a Home Rule Charter City. This means that the City, through the City Charter, is able to set some of its own rules. Key items in the City Charter include the form of government, procedure at council meetings, election processes, powers and duties of the City Manger, taxation and financial reporting and financing options, special assessments for public improvements, ability to enter into franchise agreements, and other regulations. The City Charter also reserves to the people the powers of Initiative, Referendum and Recall. Occasionally State law takes away powers the city was previously able to determine through the Charter. When this happens, the City Charter is amended to be back in compliance with State law. 
• Robbinsdale is a City Manager form of government. The City Council hires the City Manager and the City Manager controls and directs the administration of all of the city functions. The City Council provides policy direction, considers changes to city codes, and has full authority over the financial affairs of the city. Financial direction is described within the City Charter. 
• Initiative, Referendum and Recall allow the people through a petition process to initiate certain ordinances, require the City Council to reconsider certain ordinances being proposed, and to remove elected officials from office.

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