Senate stadium bill limits charter nullification

A change to the Senate Vikings stadium bill potentially opens the door to lawsuits over whether the facility requires a citywide vote in Minneapolis.

The change relates to a section of the Minneapolis charter that requires a referendum when the city spends more than $10 million on a stadium.

The original bill included broad language that nullified that charter provision altogether in relation to the Vikings stadium. But the latest version only sidesteps a citywide vote on Target Center upgrades.

That means if lawmakers want to build a stadium without a referendum, City Attorney Susan Segal's legal argument will have to prevail -- perhaps in court. Segal has argued that a referendum would not be triggered because the state is merely reclaiming its own money.

Opponents contest that the argument does not hold water.

It appears the change is a reaction to statements by city leaders like City Council President Barb Johnson, who said the broad language was needed only to prevent a citywide vote on Target Center.

The House bill, which passed Monday night, included no charter nullification provisions.

Local activists have mulled whether to take legal action over the plan, but have been deterred by the catch-all language.

UPDATE AT 4:15 p.m.: The Senate just passed an amendment that deletes even the Target Center referendum provision and emphasizes that the bill will not override the charter in any way.

Sen. John Marty's amendment, which passed 36-30, states that "Nothing in this act shall be construed to preempt, override, or waive any charter provision, including any provisions requiring a referendum on professional sports facility financing."

That does not force a Vikings stadium vote in Minneapolis. It could, however, force a vote on the Target Center upgrades since the city is expected to directly control that project.