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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 14, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 r{est Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES January'I..4,2026 at 7:00 P.M A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:01 PM B. ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON X MAY X MIELKE X MOGEN X WASSENBERG X Roll Call is moved to occur after item D on the agenda (Presentation) so that the new councilmembers are seated. STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X C. APPROVALOFAGENDA Councilmember Wassenberg motions to approve the agenda; Approved 5-0 PRESENTATION 1. Oath of Office - Georgiana May 2. Oath of Office - Jim Mogen APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. December 10,2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Councilmember Mielke motions to approve the minutes; Approved 5-0 F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: CONSENT AGENDA: 1,. General Disbursements through 1/9/26: $338,097.18 Payroll ttuough L2/ 30 / 25: fi23,026.29 Wire Payments through 1,/9/26: $18,270.84 2. Approval of City Licenses 3. Approval of Resolution26-0l Designating Official Depositories for 2026 4. Designating the City's Official Newspaper as the Pioneer Press for 2026 5. Mileage Reimbursement Rate for 2026 6. Approval of Pay Estimate #6 to Bituminous Roadways, Inc. for the 2025 Pavement Management Project FH-01 7. Affirming the Elected Official Out-of-State Travel Policy 8. ReappointingCommission Members 9. Appointing Councilmembers as Liaisons for City Commissions D E. G 26 H 10. Approval of Resolutton26-02 Designating 2026Data Practices Policy for the Public and Officials LL. Approval of Resolution 26-03 Accepting the Resignation of Wesley Goldberg from the Parks and Recreation Commission and Declaring a Vacancy 12. Approval of Resolunon26-04 Appointing the Community Development Coordinator as Assistant Weed Inspector for 2026 L3. Approval of Resolution 26-05 Appointing Emmett Fisher to the Community Engagement Commission as a Youth Commissioner 14. Resignation of Georgiana May from the State Fair Task Force 15. Approval of Public Works' purchase of a Ford Lightrring F-150 truck from TRANSWEST of Minneapolis 16. Approval of Repayment of Pay-as-You-Go TIF District 1-3 and 1-4 Payments Mayor Gustafson motions to approve the consent agenda; Approved 5-0 POLICY ITEMS: 1. Modification to the 2026 City Calendar Schedule to Move City Council Workshops to 6:00 P.M. Proceeding Regular City Council Meetings Linehan says the recommendation came out of the recent Council Special Workshop and that benefits were recognizedby holding two workshops rather than one per month by holding them before regular council meetings rather than on a standalone evening. This would allow more time-sensitive issues to be addressed more quickly and would free up Council and NineNorth operators one evening per month. Wassenberg adds that this has some advantages and the Council wants to give it a try to see if it's a more efficient way to accomplish things. Councilmember Wassenberg motions to approve the Modification to the 2026City Calendar Schedule; Approved 5-0 2. Immigration Enforcement - Review of Policies Surrounding Use of City Property for Federal Staging Linehan says that this is a new and evolving topic, and in considering how to respond. Linehan adds that we don't have our own Public Safety, but our policy does state our expectations. He then shares a PowerPoint and highlights prior work the Council has done, first by amending the Administrative Manual Section I: Standards Conceming Communication and Enforcement of Immigration Laws Memo in August 2020. In short, the City does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. City employees and representatives shall not use city resources to detect or apprehend persons...relating to immigration status. In the past year, the Council reviewed the immigration policy during a February Workshop Meeting and issued a statement of support on February 10,2025. 0n December 5, the City issued a statement of support for Somali neighbors. Last week, the City released a statement after the shooting of Renee Good that included a "know your rights" section and an Immigration Resources Page to our website. Linehan shares a question he received as to whether our city parks can be used for federal staging. He responds that park use is regulated by City Code Chapter 34 - Parks and Recreation and that particular areas require a permit for use, while others may not. 27 As currently writtery it would not ban staging. We could amend the policy to add enforcement policies. Linehan adds that other cities have done this, and it's being disregarded. So, the question then is how to enforce. So far, that seems to be through the court system. Linehan outlines next steps and says we can discuss existing policies and ordinances and determine if updates are needed, allowing for a Community Forum tonight to hear from our residents. Mogen says that he asked for this to be included on the agenda as people want to do something and that we should be taking some action so that city resources and taxpayer dollars are not spent towards immigration enforcement against our residents. He believes the two areas that are clearest are use of city property and ensure that our directives of the police force are clear. But Mogen is concerned about our limited size and capabilities going against the federal government. May says it is a public safety issue, particularly families and children using the parks during potential staging. As a city, May would like us to interact with and gain reassurance from SAPD. May says that she read SAPD's policy and that it seems very reasonable, although SAPD does admit the position that they are in, and that there may be conflictwhen enforcing federal agents. May wonders if they could ask SAPD questions about what they would do in certain instances. Wassenberg says that all city property should be included as areas where staging may not occur. He feels that we should lean heavily on our legal counsel in order to guide us on what we are able to do and to give our staff clear direction. Mielke shares an example of signs that Hennepin County is posting on doors Gustafson says that he is aware of how disheartening this is to residents. He is trying to think of the best way to proceed, to look at all unintended consequences, so that it also doesn't put us at fufure risk by restricting use. Mogen asks if there is a city policy regarding possession of firearms on city property and wants the city to look at our ability to restrict guns on city property and in parks. Gustafson adds that federal agents are licensed and allowed to carry weaPons. He asks the Council if they should add policy change and signage to their next meeting to discuss it further. Mogen suggests looking into three options: law enforcement staging can only be done with the cooperation of SAPD, that we would narrowly define park use and prohibit other uses, and the third option would be the clear prohibition of immigration enforcement and staging using city property. He adds that these are the three different levels of Councif s ideas. May asks if SAPD could come to a workshop to run through scenarios to determine if certain things are possible and to have their partnership as much as possible. Linehan says that they request it, butSAPD will follow their policy and that many of the answers may depend on the situation. Mogen adds that SAPD may not feel comfortable responding to hypotheticals and being held to that. 28 Wassenberg wonders if it's worth mirroring our language to St. Pauf s to be under the cover of another legal precedent (i.e. State of MN City of Minneapolis, and City of St. Paul v. US DHS et al). Attorney, Petri Asani, says that DHS has already sued the City of St. Paul for their sanctuary policies, so it's actually two different lawsuits at this time. There could be a benefit to mirroring, but Minneapolis and St. Paul are both also charter cities. So, it may not be possible or beneficial to mirror fully. Gustafson asks the League of Minnesota Cities has advised yet. Asani says not to their knowledge. Gustafson asks the Council if Mogen's three-tier recommendation is supported to explore further. He then asks for Council consent to open this to the public for comment related to this particular topic that Council has just discussed, and Council action related to staging. Council gives consent and public comment begins at7:44PM. Adine Stokes, L800 Holton Street Stokes says they are a social worker, resident, and taxpayer. Thry are an immigrant to this country, their country. They belieae the behnaior of ICE agents is deliberately meant to silence people and cause more diaide. Stokes asks the Gty to exercise its local authoity to limit ICE actiuity in city-owned spaces. Signe Nestingen,l.M7 Iowa Ave. W. Nestingen belieues it takes courage to act, and this is a moment thnt calls for it, from all of us. They are counting on Council the way they are counting on other elected officials. Council's part is to fnd a way to protect the dignity, safety and well-being of the adults and children in our community. They appreciate the complexity of this situation and do not want our law enforcement disrespected or endangered, but they wiII also haae to find a way to stand up. Melanie Leehy, 1"865 Fairview Ave. N. Leehy thanks the Council for hnaing the courage to think of what they can do to protect the residents. Leehy shnres they hnae heard of legal residents being terrorized, people afraid to go to work, and thnt they neaer thought the day would come when they had to carry thtir passport in their home state. Guillermo Narv6ez, PH.D. (St. Paul resident and U of M employee who frequently travels tfuough Falcon Heights) Narudez hns seaen recommendations. No use of city resources, no aiding unless a federal warrant has been issued, no federal immigration actiaities in which agents conceal their identity, require the apprwal of the Mayor for deployment of the police force (Narudez adds this may not apply in Falcon Heights as it applies in otLrcr cities), document and protside a timely report of any request to tht city from lCE, and outline the disciplinary actions to staffif ordinances are not followed, and to proaide training to properly engage with ICE and immigration control. Chris Moen,1785 Hamline Ave. N. One of things people like thnt the other side is doing is that they are ffictual; they do it quickly He would ask thnt Council try to emulate their speed. They may be gone by the time the City puts up signs, but it's a good signal to show your people that you are going to respond in kind. 29 They aren't going to listen anyways to signs. We don't haae a lot of ICE actiaity right nozo, but thnt means we also are not practiced then. Hauing policies and communicating them out will show that the Ary hns their backs. Eric Winter,'1.683 Larpenteur Ave. W. Winter says thnt the three options thnt Mogen suggested are great and it got them thinking thnt immigration enforcement is the issue thnt we are dealing with today, but it's important to keep in mind that this is the largest peri-military police force in the country and they are only accountable to one indiaidual. So, Iet's not limit ourselaes to the current problems but what is currently coming in the future as weIL Signe Nestingen,l.447Iowa Ave. W. Nestingen adds an additional comment, echoing Chris Moen's comments that speed is of the essence. She says thst we need to do more than one thing at a time. We need to think on our feet, and we need to haae action steps, which are then communicated to the community. Mayor Gustafson motions to close comments at 8:03 PM Gustafson says this is something that we take very, very seriously and that they want this to be a welcoming city. He thanks residents for sharing this vision. He adds that they are finding ways to respond as quickly as possible, while minimizing the city's risk. Linehan says that if it is an ordinance change, they will have to determine if a public notice is necessary. Mogen wonders if they could workshop this on January 28m and then put it on the meeting agenda immediately after. Linehan says that the challenge is to notice a public hearing if an ordinance is not ready to be adopted. Mielke asks if it could be a policy item and become an ordinance to approve later. Linehan asks for consensus from the Council to push other agenda items to a later date to focus on this topic during the January 28tt workshop. Wassenberg appreciates finding away to move with speed without abusing the rules, even if others are. I: INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS: Wassenberg shares that the Parks and Recreation Commission held a meeting to elect officers and reminds residents that there will be a game night at City Hall this Friday. Mielke says that the Environment Commission met on Monday. She encourages residents to train to become observers. If that's out of their comfort zone, it's great to meet on the comer of Larpenteur and Snelling on Mondays at 4:00 PM, or at Lexington and Larpenteur at 3:00 PM on Fridays for community camaraderie. May says that she serves on the board of the Friends of the Philando Castile Peace Garden, and this will be the 10th year since his killing in our community. She encourages residents to attend the annual events held on July 6 and7. Mogen says that the Planning Commission has been interviewing candidates and hopes to bring one before Council at their next meeting. Gustafson shares that he will serve as the Council Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and he's looking forward to it. He thanks residents for coming out. 30 Linehan says that our license renewals are in good shape. Our Administrative and Communications Intem, Ainsley Brown, started on January 4. He shares that a Renter's Rights event will be held on January 24th, so staff mailed letters to all renters to inform them of this. Public Works continues to clear roads during a difficult time of freezef fhaw. And, he concludes his update by sharing that Community Park has had electricity connected. J: COMMUNITY FORUM: Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council will be referred for consideration. Council may ask questions for clarifcation, but no council qction or discussion will be held on these items. Ric6 Davis,'1,407 Calrtornia Ave. W. Daais points out thnt the Gty's fficial newspaper, Pioneer Press, is not one that many residents receiae a plrysical copy of. She wonders how many options the city hns and if a second paper couldbe added. Daais next states thnt the alleys behind the Northome neighborhood are plowed piaately, but the Gty has been cleaning up the ends. This year, they are deeply rutted, and she is not sure who is responsible for the ends. Dauis then askhow many trucks the City outns and whnt they aII do. Lastly, she says that the entrance to City Hall is dnrk. Signe Nestingen,1.447Iowa Ave. W. Nestingen says thnt they sent a letter and four pictures to PublicWorks regarding the alleys K: ADIOURNMENT: 8:30 PM Councilmember Mogen motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 5-0. Randall Mayor Dated this day of January,2026 City AdministratorJ 31