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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-2026 Special City Council Meeting Packet SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula Councilmembers Connie Buesgens Rachel James Justice Spriggs Laurel Deneen City Manager Aaron Chirpich City Hall—Council Chambers, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, April 06, 2026 8:00 PM AGENDA ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, or by using Microsoft Teams Meeting at at http://www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/joinameetingID 281 892 347 642 920, Passcode m6oU9wT7. For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-3610. Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763 -706-3610 to make arrangements. WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA (The Council, upon majority vote of its members, may make additions and deletions to the agenda. These may be items submitted after the agenda preparation deadline.) ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Ordinances and Resolutions 1. Second Reading of Ordinance 1724, Amending the Columbia Heights City Charter Regarding Mayoral Oversight of the Police Department. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance 1724, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1724, being an ordinance amending the City Charter of Columbia Heights, and to direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. ADJOURNMENT Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements. 1 ITEM: Second Reading of Ordinance 1724, Amending the Columbia Heights City Charter Regarding Mayoral Oversight of the Police Department. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager DEPARTMENT: Administration BY/DATE: Sara Ion / March 10, 2026 CORE CITY STRATEGIES: (please indicate areas that apply by adding an “X” in front of the selected text below) _Community that Grows with Purpose and Equity _High Quality Public Spaces _ Safe, Accessible and Built for Everyone X Engaged, Effective and Forward-Thinking _ Resilient and Prosperous Economy _ Inclusive and Connected Community BACKGROUND At the January 15, 2026, Columbia Heights City Charter Commission Meeting the commission held a second reading of the changes proposed to the City Charter regarding mayoral oversight of the Police Department to better align the role with current practice shifting oversight to the duties of the City Manager. During this Charter Commission meeting the following summary of was approved. SUMMARY CHAPTER 2 – FORM OF GOVERNMENT Removal of the language related to “appointment, control, and direction of all police officers of the city” Section 10. THE MAYOR. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council, and shall exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the ordinances of the city, and the laws of the state. A president pro tempore shall be chosen who shall serve as president in the mayor’s absence, and who shall, in the mayor’s absence, exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the ordinances of the city and the laws of the state. In the absence of both the mayor and the president pro tempore, the council member with the most seniority (as determined by consecutive uninterrupted years of service to date) shall exercise and perform said powers and duties. The mayor shall have the appointment, control, and direction of all police officers of the city, and shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil processes, and by the governor for the purposes of the military law. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, whether by death, resignation, or any other cause, the council shall order a special election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term except in the case of a recall, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by this charter. CHAPTER 6 – ADMINISTRATION OF CITY AFFAIRS Removal of the language related to duties “except the police department and enforcement of the laws pertaining to said department shall be under the sole control of the mayor” Section 53. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER. Subject to the provisions of this charter and any regulations consistent therewith which may be adopted by council, the city manager shall control and CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA SECTION ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION MEETING DATE APRIL 6, 2026 2 Item 1. City of Columbia Heights - Council Letter Page 2 direct the administration of the city's affairs, except that the police department and the enforcement of the laws pertaining to said department shall be under the sole control of the mayor. The city manager's powers and duties shall be: (a) To see that this charter and the laws, ordinances and resolutions of the city are enforced; (b) To appoint and, except as herein provid ed, remove the city clerk, all heads of departments, and all subordinate officers and employees in the departments, all appointments to be upon merit and fitness alone; (c) To exercise control over all departments and divisions of the city administration c reated by this charter or which may be hereafter created by the council except as herein provided; (d) To attend all meetings of the council, with the right to take part in the discussions but having no vote; but the council may at its discretion exclude the city manager from meetings at which the city manager's removal is considered; (e) To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as the city manager may deem necessary for the welfare of the people and the efficient administration of the city's affairs; (f) To keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city, and to prepare and to submit to the council the annual budget; (g) To prepare and to submit to the council for adoption an administrative code incorporating the details of administrative procedure, and from time to time to suggest amendments to the same; and (h) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or required of the city manager by ordinances or resolutions adopted by the council. SUMMARY OF CURRENT STATUS The council held the first reading and public hearing on Ordinance 1724 at the March 9, 2026, meeting and a motion calling for a second hearing was made and unanimously approved to set the second reading for the March 23, 2026 meeting. At the March 23, 2026, meeting the council voted to move the second reading to a special meeting to be held on April 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance 1724, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1724, being an ordinance amending the City Charter of Columbia Heights, and to direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. ATTACHMENT(S) Summary of Charter Commission Changes Ordinance 1724 Summary Ordinance 1724 3 Item 1. Changes to Charter Regarding the duties of Mayor and City Manager pertaining to Police Department Passed in second hearing by Charter Commission January 15, 2026 Section 10. THE MAYOR. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council, and shall exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the ordinances of the city, and the laws of the state. A president pro tempore shall be chosen who shall serve as president in the mayor’s absence, and who shall, in the mayor’s absence, exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the ordinances of the city and the laws of the state. In the absence of both the mayor and the president pro tempore, the council member with the most seniority (as determined by consecutive uninterrupted years of service to date) shall exercise and perform said powers and duties. The mayor shall have the appointment, control, and direction of all police officers of the city, and shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil processes, and by the governor for the purposes of the military law. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, whether by death, resignation, or any other cause, the council shall order a special election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term except in the case of a recall, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by this charter. Section 53. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER. Subject to the provisions of this charter and any regulations consistent therewith which may be adopted by council, the city manager shall control and direct the administration of the city's affairs, except that the police department and the enforcement of the laws pertaining to said department shall be under the sole control of the mayor. The city manager's powers and duties shall be: (a) To see that this charter and the laws, ordinances and resolutions of the city are enforced; (b) To appoint and, except as herein provided, remove the city clerk, all heads of departments, and all subordinate officers and employees in the departments, all appointments to be upon merit and fitness alone; (c) To exercise control over all departments and divisions of the city administration created by this charter or which may be hereafter created by the council except as herein provided; (d) To attend all meetings of the council, with the right to take part in the discussions but having no vote; but the council may at its discretion exclude the city manager from meetings at which the city manager's removal is considered; (e) To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as the city manager may deem necessary for the welfare of the people and the efficient administration of the city's affairs; (f) To keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city, and to prepare and to submit to the council the annual budget; (g) To prepare and to submit to the council for adoption an administrative code incorporating the details of administrative procedure, and from time to time to suggest amendments to the same; and (h) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or required of the city manager by ordinances or resolutions adopted by the council. Carolyn Laine, Charter Commission President Sent January 22, 2026 4 Item 1. ORDINANCE NO. 1724 BEING AND ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, SECTION 10 AND CHAPTER 6, SECTION 53 OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CHARTER REGARDING THE OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT The City of Columbia Heights Does Ordain: CHAPTER 2 – FORM OF GOVERNMENT Section 10. THE MAYOR. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council, and shall exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the ordinances of the city, and the laws of the state. A president pro tempore shall be chosen who shall serve as president in the mayor’s absence, and who shall, in the mayor’s absence, exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the ordinances of the city and the laws of the state. In the absence of both the mayor and the president pro tempore, the council member with the most seniority (as determined by consecutive uninterrupted years of service to date) shall exercise and perform said powers and duties. The mayor shall have the appointment, control, and direction of all police officers of the city, and shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil processes, and by the governor for the purposes of the military law. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, whether by death, resignation, or any other cause, the council shall order a special election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term except in the case of a recall, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by this charter. CHAPTER 6 – ADMINISTRATION OF CITY AFFAIRS Section 53. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER. Subject to the provisions of this charter and any regulations consistent therewith which may be adopted by council, the city manager shall control and direct the administration of the city's affairs, except that the police department and the enforcement of the laws pertaining to said department shall be under the sole control of the mayor. The city manager's powers and duties shall be: (a) To see that this charter and the laws, ordinances and resolutions of the city are enforced; (b) To appoint and, except as herein provided, remove the city clerk, all heads of departments, and all subordinate officers and employees in the departments, all appointments to be upon merit and fitness alone; (c) To exercise control over all departments and divisions of the city administration created by this charter or which may be hereafter created by the council except as herein provided; (d) To attend all meetings of the council, with the right to take par t in the discussions but having no vote; but the council may at its discretion exclude the city manager from meetings at which the city manager's removal is considered; (e) To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as the city manager may deem necessary for the welfare of the people and the efficient administration of the city's affairs; (f) To keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city, and to prepare and to submit to the council the annual budget; (g) To prepare and to submit to the council for adoption an 5 Item 1. administrative code incorporating the details of administrative procedure, and from time to time to suggest amendments to the same; and (h) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or required of the city manager by ordinances or resolutions adopted by the council. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after 90 days after its passage. First Reading: March 9, 2026 Offered by: Deneen Seconded by: James Roll Call: All Ayes Second Reading: April 6, 2026 Offered by: Seconded by: Roll Call: Date of Passage: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor Attest: Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary 6 Item 1. SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1724 ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, SECTION 10 AND CHAPTER 6, SECTION 53 OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CHARTER REGARDING THE OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT The City Council for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota adopted Ordinance No. 1724 on March 23, 2026. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend the Columbia Heights City Charter to update oversight of the Police Department. This is a summary of Ordinance No. 1724. A copy of the entire text of the Ordinance is available for public inspection during regular office hours at City Hall, by standard or electronic mail, or at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov. Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor Attest: Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary 7 Item 1.