HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-2025 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
Mayor
Amáda Márquez Simula
Councilmembers
Connie Buesgens
Rachel James
Justice Spriggs
Laurel Deneen
City Manager
Aaron Chirpich
City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE
Monday, October 06, 2025
6:30 PM
MINUTES
The following are the minutes for the Work Session Meeting of the City Council at 6:30 pm on Monday,
October 6, 2025, in the Shared Vision Room, City Hall, 3989 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights,
Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Márquez Simula at 6:32pm.
Present: Mayor Márquez Simula, Councilmember Buesgens, Councilmember Deneen, Councilmember
James, Councilmember Spriggs
Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Renee Dougherty, Library Director; Jesse Hauf, IT Director;
Sara Ion, City Clerk; Erik Johnston, Deputy Police Chief; Joe Kloiber, Finance Director; Matt Markham,
Police Chief; Dan O’Brien, Fire Chief; Kristin Peterson, Fire Department Office Supervisor; Rochelle
Widmer, City Engineer; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Erik Simonson, Excel Energy.
WORK SESSION ITEMS
1. Group Ice Breaker.
Mayor Márquez Simula led an ice breaker, asking the group “If you could have another
career, what would it be and why?”
2. Franchise Fee Updates.
City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic as well as Erik Simonson from Xcel
Energy to discuss the options for setting franchise fees for electricity and gas by ordinance.
City Manager Chirpich explained the proposed fee structure based on property
classification as well as estimated annual fee generation.
Councilmember James clarified with City Manager Chirpich what fund account the
franchise fees collected would be allocated to. City Manager Chirpich stated that it was
ultimately the council’s decision where to allocate the fees. Based on feedback from the
council it is proposed that the fees are used to support the infrastructure and easements in
which they operate. For the 2026 budget the funds would be used to support the initial
planning for the Municipal Service Center including the architectural plans and engineering
work, as well as purchasing the SACA property next to the current public works building.
Councilmember James inquired about what the franchise fee would look like if there were
two meters at a home (i.e. when there is a meter assigned for an electric car). Erik
Simonson with Xcel stated that there would only be one franchise fee assessed per single
family household related to electrical meters.
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Council consensus was to move forward with the first reading related to these Ordinances
at the October 14, 2025, City Council Meeting. They are looking forward to designating
some of the fees towards the planning and construction of a municipal services building.
3. 2025 Budget Presentations by Division.
Recreation
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl gave an overview of the 2026 Recreation Department
budget. Details regarding the Recreation budget can be found in the City Managers 2026
Budget Book.
Councilmember James thanked Director Windschitl for the presentation, and she is glad to
see the push for Spanish language translation. Mayor Márquez Simula agreed with
Councilmember James.
Director Windschitl thanked the Communications Team for the work that they have done
to expand the languages offered for the recreation brochure, he also stated that he would
like to see even more translation occur in the future.
Police
Police Chief Matt Markham and Deputy Chief Erik Johnston gave an overview of the 2026
Police Department Budget. Details regarding the Police Department budget can be found in
the City Managers 2026 Budget Book.
Mayor Márquez Simula thanked the Chief and Deputy Chief for the work on preparing the
budget, the presentation for the council as well as the graphs to help clarify the
presentation further.
Councilmember Buesgens asked for additional clarification on the animal control portion of
the budget. The council asked that they be emailed statistics related to the number of
animals impounded. She also inquired if there is a professional organization that offers
mentoring to new officers.
Councilmember James stated that she is more than willing to help approve items needed
to retain staff and get to the authorized staffing level.
Information Technology
Jesse Hauf, IT Director gave an overview of the 2026 IT Department Budget. Details
regarding the IT budget can be found in the City Managers 2026 Budget Book.
Mayor Márquez Simula stated that she was thankful for planned updates to the phone
system and call tracking. Councilmember James thanked Director Hauf for his
proactiveness.
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Library
Renee Dougherty, Library Director gave an overview of the 2026 Library Department
Budget. Details regarding the Library budget can be found in the City Managers 2026
Budget Book.
Councilmember Buesgens inquired about how the furniture was doing at the library.
Director Dougherty stated that overall, it has been holding up well. Mayor Márquez Simula
asked if there could be more power outlets in the community room. She also inquired
about the positive response to the freshly paved additional parking space.
Fire
Chief Dan O’Brien and Office Supervisor Kristin Peterson gave an overview of the 2026 Fire
Department Budget. Details regarding the Fire Department budget can be found in the City
Managers 2026 Budget Book.
Councilmember Spriggs inquired if the increase in calls is due to medical issues or fires.
Chief O’Brien stated that there is an overall increase in EMS calls and is likely expected to
continue.
4. Council Corner.
The council reviewed the October calendar, notified each other of upcoming events and
discussed proclamations for upcoming meetings.
Tenants’ Rights
Councilmember James introduced the item and her concerns related to the topic of Just
Cause Eviction and Tenants Rights. There is some upcoming legislation that she would like
the council to support in addition to working on these concerns for Columbia Heights
Residents. Mayor Márquez Simula stated support for this initiative and that we could also
improve upon our educational options that the Fire Department is offering to both tenants
and landlords.
Council Consensus was that they would like to move forward with support for the
legislation as well as increasing the educational opportunities available as staff has time to
bring this to the council at a 2026 work session meeting.
Request for Ordinance Regarding Unlawful Detention
Mayor Márquez Simula introduced the item to the council, and the recent email to Council
requesting a Ordinance related to restricting ICE activity in Columbia Heights.
Councilmember Deneen asked that the City invite the School Board Liaison to an upcoming
council meeting to review School District partnership and that we also refresh the City
Website to bring the council statement from earlier this year back into focus.
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Mayor Márquez Simula stated that she has received reports that ICE was in the community
today. Police Chief Markham has asked that concerns are brought to the police department
for further investigation and so that assistance can be offered to those impacted.
Soccer Survey
Councilmember James introduced the item and stated that she is concerned about
communication and planning for the soccer field improvements. City Manager Chirpich
clarified that the current soccer field survey available to residents had a outdated map, and
that he is partnering with the consultant to make sure there is accurate information
available to confusion and misinformation.
Federal Budget Cut Concerns
Councilmember Buesgens asked if there are any current concerns related to the cuts
happening at a federal level.
City Manager Chirpich stated that there could be concerns with future funding but
currently the city is using funds that are currently allocated.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Márquez Simula adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:30pm
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary