HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-2026 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
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
MINUTES
The following are the minutes for the Special Meeting of the City Council held at 8:00 pm on Monday,
April 6, 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 8:04 pm.
Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Deneen; Councilmember
Spriggs; Councilmember James
Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Jesse Hauf, IT Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Agenda as
presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
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
City Manager Chirpich explained that at the March 9, 2026 the Council held a public
hearing regarding Ordinance 1724 and that the Council had unanimously approved a
second reading of the ordinance at the March 23, 2026, Council Meeting. At the March 23,
2026, meeting the Council did not have all five members present needed to approve
Ordinance 1724, and the Council rescheduled the second hearing to this evening when all
councilmembers could attend.
Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to waive the
reading of Ordinance 1724, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 06, 2026
Special City Council Meeting Page 2
Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve Ordinance
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
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary