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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2026-2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 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, February 09, 2026 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 pm on Monday, February 09, 2026, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 3989 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Márquez Simula called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Deneen; Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Travis Lutz, Assistant City Attorney; Erik Paulson, City resident; Nancy Sartor, City resident; Dirk Schmitz, City resident MISSION STATEMENT Columbia Heights is a vibrant, healthy, and connected City. We are here to actively support the community, deliver equitable services, build and strengthen connections, improve upon our past, and uphold our successes. We strive to be better and ensure Columbia Heights is a great place for everyone, today and in the future. A. Columbia Heights City Council and Staff Norms. While we are accountable to each other for these norms, the Mayor and City Manager will help us adhere to them with respectful reminders and reinforcement as needed. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Racial Covenant Awareness and Action Day. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed February 09, 2026, as Racial Covenant Awareness and Action Day and read the City’s proclamation. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 2 Mayor Márquez Simula explained that the City would like to share the Proclamation with anyone who has been a part of the process of removing a racial covenant on their property. She added that the information was shared on the City’s social media pages. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember James explained that the entire community feels strained and stressed due to the federal immigration surge. She added that she has witnessed black and brown people who are a part of the immigrant community being harassed and detained, and some have disappeared. Citizens and observers have been intimidated, followed, arrested, and threatened. Schools were closed one day last week due to a bomb threat. Rent was due for many residents on the first of the month. The City is receiving hundreds of rent requests due to the ICE activity in the community. She mentioned that she is working with other members of the Council and local elected officials to call for the governor to pass an eviction moratorium. The economy is at a breaking point because restaurants and stores are hardly being used, and workers have lost income and value. There will need to be funding to replace what has been lost. She stated she is tired of seeing the federal agents occupying the City and explained that public places are unusable to the public due to the federal agents. She noted that the Council held a community listening session last week and thanked the community for showing up. She added that there was a community stress debrief night to help people work together to get through the crisis. The Columbia Heights Schools hosted caucuses. She added that she has been delivering groceries and helping with rent payments. She stated she attended the League of Minnesota Cities Elected Leaders Institute and the convocation on February 7th. Councilmember Buesgens thanked the volunteers in the community who are helping the families that are being affected by ICE’s presence. She encouraged people to keep their anger focused on ICE and those who sent them here. The City’s Police Department cares about the community and wants to intervene, but their hands are tied in many ways, and they are frustrated, too. The Police Department sees many laws broken by ICE, but faces a difficult tightrope in enforcing laws that are broken by federal agents. The City has the best interest in heart for the community and is trying its best to come up with ways to help, but the City is also restricted. She stated the Council has the community’s back and has volunteered in many ways to support the community. She encouraged the community to stay united and focus the anger on those who wish to harm and divide the community. She added to keep up the fight. She stated she attended the community town hall and noted that 250 community members showed up to express their emotions and ask questions. She explained that staff and the Council did their best to answer their questions. She stated she attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Planning Commission meeting, the HRA and EDA meeting, and the Council work session. Councilmember Deneen stated she attended the community listening session and thanked those who attended and voiced their concern, and sat in solidarity with people going through things. She added that she attended the EDA meeting, the Housing and Redevelopment meeting, the Council work session meeting, and an emergency City Council meeting. She mentioned that she has been working to provide mutual aid for residents impacted by the continued action of ICE and the occupation in the City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 3 City. She thanked the community for being organized, proactive, and resilient in the face of the occupation. She applauded the schools and City staff for their hard work they have been doing to support the community. She noted that all of the work matters and has an impact. Councilmember Spriggs stated he attended the HRA meeting, the EDA meeting, the Council work session, the listening session, and the emergency City Council meetings. He noted that he worked with Councilmember James to co-author an eviction moratorium that was sent out to other elected officials across the State to sign and be sent to the governor. He explained that he had many meetings, phone calls, and emails with residents who are extremely concerned about the Metro Surge in the City. He agreed with the other Councilmember’s comments and explained that it has been a trying time for everyone with the effects of ICE. He noted that it has been heartening to see the community step up to the plate and show enormous amounts of courage, resilience, and strength to support neighbors. He encouraged community members to reach out to the Council. Mayor Márquez Simula explained that the past two weeks have been emotionally intense, deeply meaningful, and full of connection. She thanked everyone who showed up. She noted that there has been national and international media engagement in the City, and she has had multiple interviews with national news outlets in order to share the truth about what is happening in the City. She added that she spoke with a group of journalists from Switzerland who are documenting what is happening in the City and the State, and they released a documentary last night. She explained that when she views the documentary, she will get it to the City. She explained that the journalists from Switzerland were impressed by Minnesota. She stated she attended an International Operation Pollination virtual meeting. She noted that she attended the community town hall, and there will be a full summary of the town hall on the City’s website. She stated she attended the library book club, and she hosted 17 scouts at City Hall. She noted that she attended a meeting with Congresswoman Omar, the City Manager, the School Board Chair, Superintendent, Senator Kunesh, and Representative Kegel to discuss an update about the City and the impact of ICE in the community. She noted that there are financial consequences for what happens to properties that are owned by people who have been kidnapped and taken away. She explained that Congresswoman Omar has been a tremendous help, and Councilmember Spriggs is the point of contact for the City to be in contact with Congresswoman Omar. She noted that she attended the Wellness Morning at Fix Coffee, Caucus night, and numerous meetings with mayors, City leaders, school leaders, police, faith leaders, and mutual aid organizers, and she mentioned that she is proud of the work being done. She explained that there are more stories and meetings than a report can hold, and she is tired and overwhelmed, but will not give up. She added that the community is navigating the fear and grief together and will continue to do so with courage and compassion. Report of the City Manager City Manager Chirpich stated the City’s 2026 Newsletter will be arriving in mailboxes in the coming weeks. The newsletter contains important information as well as upcoming events. It is translated into Spanish on the City’s website. He noted the Valentine’s Day Truck Fire Route event is in the planning stages. The Council decided to do an event that would bring the event to the people since SnowBLAST had to be cancelled due to people not feeling safe to leave their homes. The Fire Department will decorate some of the fire trucks with Valentine’s Day lighting to drive around town. The event will be City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 4 on Saturday, February 14th, and there will be more information available on the City’s website as details start to emerge. The event is tentatively scheduled for 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm. City Manager Chirpich mentioned that the City launched a new website on February 9th. The goal is to enhance the experience by reducing the number of steps that it takes to find requested information and reducing overall volumes of content that are on there. Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned that she forgot to include in her report that she has witnessed ICE vehicles at Kordiak Park and noted that it is a County park, and is on the same road as four of the schools in the area. She explained that she has been in contact with the City’s County Commissioner and they are reaching out to Homeland Security to see if ICE can stop using the park as a setting space. COMMUNITY FORUM Dirk Schmitz, City resident, stated that there is mutual aid and policies and procedures for natural disasters such as tornadoes, in order to assist neighboring communities. He explained that he feels sad that the City and neighborhood communities need plans for man-made situations like mass shootings and bomb threats. He added that there is now a need to add a plan for when the City is being invaded by the government. He explained that he is proud of how the City’s elected officials and the School Board have been handling the invasion of ICE that has been going on in the community. He noted that the City has been under national news and mentioned that they did a great job handling the national media. Many people have been working around the clock and putting themselves in danger to help protect the citizens of the City. The City is rich with neighborly care and love for all community members, no matter where they are born or their social status, which is what makes the City great. He thanked the City, the schools, the Police Department, and the caring citizens who take time out of their lives to make the City a great place to live. Nancy Sartor, City resident, echoed the comments regarding the pride for the community and people stepping up. She explained that Governor Walz and the Council have a difficult “needle to thread” with the eviction moratorium. She wondered what the response would be from the government. She asked where the business community was in all of this. She asked if the Council was hearing anything from business leaders outside of the State that could address the immediacy of the funding that is needed to keep people housed. She asked if there was a timeline that was being discussed for how long ICE would be in the community. Erik Paulson, City resident, agreed with the comments regarding the ICE presence in the community and thanked the Council for all that they have done. He asked if there was a discussion on the City level about putting a hold on water and trash charges. He expressed his understanding that it may not be feasible, but it would be one less burden on residents’ plates. Mayor Márquez Simula replied that the City has not heard anything about a timeline of how long ICE will be in the City. Cities have joined together in a coalition and are working together to figure out what else they can do. Many mayors signed a letter to the editor of the Star Tribune asking for this surge to end. She explained that the City’s emphasis is to help the families that have been affected. She mentioned that there was a press conference at the Capitol with other police chiefs to say that what is happening is wrong. She explained that there is more transparency when talking to other mayors about ICE activity because all of the mayors are seeing the same kind of activity in their communities City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 5 and believe each other. She added that she believed the press should continue to be involved so that the stories continue to get out there. She noted that there are corporations that have signed onto a letter to help with small businesses. City Manager Chirpich added that Fortune 500 companies have created a business relief fund to help. Mayor Márquez Simula stated the EDA is working on ways to help fund businesses and residents. Mayor Márquez Simula asked City Manager Chirpich to speak on the comment regarding the City helping residents with utilities. City Manager Chirpich replied that, in addition to the EDA rolling out a relief package, the coalition of cities is going to have a lobbying effort at the legislature during the next session for a larger aid package, but it is a few months out. He noted that the Council could discuss utility payments. Immediate relief is difficult because the City pays Minneapolis for water. The City would need to appropriate grant resources if the City were going to consider any sort of relief for utility bills. He added that the City would always work with someone who is struggling with financial hardship. Mayor Márquez Simula encouraged residents to reach out for help and explained that the heart of the staff is to help people and to problem-solve. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 1. Approve January 26, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to approve the January 26, 2026, City Council Work Session meeting minutes. 2. Approve February 2, 2026, City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to approve the February 2, 2026, City Council Work Session meeting minutes. 3. Approve February 6, 2026, Emergency City Council Meeting Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to approve the February 6, 2026, Emergency City Council meeting minutes. 4. Accept January 5, 2026, Regular EDA Meeting Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to accept the January 5, 2026, EDA meeting minutes. 5. Accept January 12, 2026, Special EDA Meeting Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to accept the January 12, 2026, EDA meeting minutes. 6. Accept January 7, 2026, Library Board Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to accept the January 7, 2026, Library Board meeting minutes. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 6 7. Accept February 3, 2025, Special HRA Meeting Minutes. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to accept the February 3, 2025, HRA meeting minutes. 8. Approval of Resolution 2026-09, Amending the Administration Budget. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-09, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2026-09 amending the General Fund to reclassify the Multicultural Liaison from a temporary position to a permanent position with a budget impact of $20,000. 9. Adopt Resolution 2026-011, Calling on Governor Walz to Issue an Eviction Moratorium. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-011, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2026-011, Calling on Governor Walz to Issue an Eviction Moratorium. 10. Approval of Granicus Termination and Mutual Release Agreement. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to authorize the City Manager to sign the mutual release agreement with Granicus and issue a payment of $32,457.92. 11. Authorize an Updated JPA with the MN BCA for the Violent Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU). Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich – City Manager MOTION: Move to authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police to enter into the attached updated agreement with the MN BCA for participation in the VCRU. 12. Approval of Contract for HKGI for the 2050 City of Columbia Heights Comprehensive Plan Process. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with HKGI to provide planning and professional services to complete the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. 13. License Agenda. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 9, 2026, as presented. 14. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 9, 2026, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 7 15. Review of Bills. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8 the City Council has reviewed the enclosed list of claims paid by check and by electronic funds transfer in the amount of $1,473,249.68. PUBLIC HEARINGS 16. First Reading of Ordinance 1723, Amending the Columbia Heights City Charter Regarding Recall Petitions. Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager, and Carolyn Laine, Charter Commission President. City Manager Chirpich stated at the October 16, 2025, Columbia Heights City Charter Commission Meeting that the commission held a second reading of the changes proposed to the City Charter regarding recall elections and related areas. During this meeting, the following summary of actions was approved unanimously with all members present. City Manager Chirpich reviewed the summary of the proposed changes: 1) Dates and timing for elections were changed in three sections to reflect state statutes by stating: “at the soonest date that conforms with state law.” (Sections 41, 44, and 50) (first hearing on January 16, 2025) 2) A new paragraph was added to state the right of recall and to define the words “malfeasance” and “nonfeasance:” “Right of Recall. The people of the City of Columbia Heights hereby reserve to themselves the right and power to remove from office at any time any or all of the elected officers of the City for malfeasance or nonfeasance in office in accordance with state law. For this purpose, the word ‘malfeasance’ means the performance of an act in their official capacity that is unlawful or wrongful, and the word ‘nonfeasance’ means the failure to act where there was a duty to act. The exercise of this power shall be designated as “the recall.” (Section 47) (first hearing on October 17, 2024) 3) Verifying petition signatures was clarified by adding “Signatures must be from eligible voters who are on active status on the Statewide Voter Registration System at the time of the petition verification.” (Section 48) (first hearing on January 16, 2025) 4) The description of the Recall Ballot was stripped of all words for simultaneously electing a replacement; this has been rendered difficult due to complicating factors: our requirements for primary elections, and state laws requiring write-in ballots that conceivably could negate the voters’ intention. Instead, if the voters recall the official, “a vacancy shall be declared and shall be filled as set out in Section 9 of City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 8 this charter,” which is by council appointment if under two years remain in the term. (Section 52) (first hearing on July 17, 2025) 5) The previous change also required removing the last sentence in Section 9 - Filling a Vacancy, because it references a process that no longer exists. (Section 9) (first hearing on July 17, 2025) Mayor Márquez Simula opened the Public Hearing. Charter Commission President Carolyn Laine explained that the process went from October 2024 to October 2025. She added that for most of the portions that the Commission reviewed, there were unanimous votes. She noted that there was additional discussion on the section regarding separating the election at the same time as the recall. During the second hearing, the votes with the commissioners were unanimous, and all the Commissioners were present. She noted that malfeasance is a high bar, and the changes will make for a smoother process and more understandable. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to close the public hearing and waive the reading of Ordinance 1723, there being ample copies available to the public. Councilmember Buesgens thanked the Charter Commission for its work. She added that the changes would provide a cleaner process. Councilmember James agreed. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Mayor Márquez Simula explained that she was happy to see some movement on the item. She added that many people do not know that Columbia Heights is a Charter City and that the Charter is essentially the City’s Constitution on how it can operate. The Charter was initially written in 1921 and sometimes needs to be updated. She thanked the Charter Commission for its work. Councilmember Deneen echoed the previous comments and noted that there are many members on the Charter Commission, and that she was able to see the Commission work, and noted that they are having to work through the language, and it is difficult work. She thanked the Charter Commission. She added that the Commission and Boards are open for applications and encourage the community to apply on the City’s website. Councilmember Spriggs agreed with the previous comments and noted that he is the liaison for the Charter Commission. He explained that it is nice to see the whole Charter Commission work together because there are complicated issues. He expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the whole Commission to take the time to address the issues and to take an entire year to make the changes to ensure that the job is done well. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to set the second reading of Ordinance No. 1723, being an ordinance amending the City Charter of City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Page 9 Columbia Heights, for February 23, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Resolutions 17. Consideration of Resolution 2026-12, Being a Resolution Calling for an End to Lawless ICE and CPB Surges Across the Country and Calling on Congress to Withhold Any Finding for the Department of Homeland Security Without Meaningful and Significant Guardrails. Presenting Item: Mayor Márquez Simula, Mayor Mayor Márquez Simula stated the Resolution is included in the Agenda Packet. She asked that the Council approve the Resolution. Councilmember James requested that the Resolution be read. She read Resolution 2026- 12. Mayor Márquez Simula asked the City Attorney if the vote was a simple majority vote. Assistant City Attorney Travis Lutz replied that it was a simple majority vote. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-012, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to approve Resolution 2026-12, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights Calling for an End to Lawless ICE and CPB Surges Across the Country and Calling on Congress to Withhold Any Funding for the Department of Homeland Security Without Meaningful and Significant Guardrails. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary