HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-2026 Emergency City Council Meeting (MN STAT. § 13D.04, Subd. 3) Minutes
EMERGENCY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(MN STAT. § 13D.04, SUBD. 3)
Mayor
Amáda Márquez Simula
Councilmembers
Connie Buesgens
Rachel James
Justice Spriggs
Laurel Deneen
City Manager
Aaron Chirpich
Public Safety Bldg—Ramsdel Room, 825 41st Ave NE
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
4:00 PM
MINUTES
The following are the minutes for the emergency meeting of the City Council held at 4:00 pm on
January 20, 2026, in the Ramsdell Room, 825 41st Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. This
meeting was held pursuant to Minnesota State Statute §13D.04 and §13D.05 Subd. 3(d).
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Márquez Simula called the emergency meeting to order at 4:04 pm.
Present: Mayor Márquez Simula, Councilmembers Buesgens, Deneen, James and Spriggs.
Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; David Cullen, Public Works Director; Jesse Hauf, IT
Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Matt Markham, Police Chief; Dan O’Brien, Fire Chief; Kristin Peterson,
Deputy E/M Director.
Executive Session: Reviewing Security Issues Related to Unrest. Closed per Minn. Stat. 13D.05,
Subdivision 3(d). Deneen, Buesgens. All Ayes.
This meeting was closed pursuant to Minnesota Statute §13D.05 Subd. 3(d) for the council to
receive security briefings and reports related to emergency response procedures and
recommendations related to public safety. This discussion included logistics of police service
which would pose a danger to public safety and compromise security procedures if discussed
during an open session.
Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to move to a closed
session at 4:06pm. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs to reconvene the open
session at 5:54pm. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 5-0
Meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary