01-14-2026 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 14, 2026 Malone stated she agrees it is important to engage the youth in government, but she does not feel it is necessary for them to vote. Fischer asked if the Council was agreeable with the rules for the Parks Commission and Planning Commission being different. There was Council consensus to change the City Code for both the Parks & Recreation and Planning Commissions, with the Parks Commission change not going into effect until August 1 when the new youth term begins. The Community Development Director noted that the Planning Commission youth commission position is currently vacant so the change for the Planning Commission can be done now. Miller requested that staff discuss this change with both commission chairs before bringing the ordinances to Council for adoption. OVERVIEW AND REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY The Assistant City Administrator explained that the City Council adopts a Code of Conduct Policy each year to provide expectations of behavior for those current and future City Council members. She explained that due to some open meeting law changes in 2025, staff had the City Attorney review the entire policy to incorporate those changes and provide any other recommendations to Council for changes. She stated there are other policy -level changes that the Council can review for consideration prior to formal readoption in 2026. She explained that the recommended changes and considerations are relating to Code of Conduct violations, statement of in -person meeting preference, use of public resources, responding during public forum, cell phone use and notification for significant public interest. There was Council consensus to incorporate all the City Attorney's recommendations along with the other discussed modifications. PUBLIC SAFETY: DISCUSSION AND UNDERSTANDING CITY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The City Administrator explained that with the recent deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the State of Minnesota, staff has asked the City Attorney to have a discussion with the Council on city and staff roles, communication expectations, and public safety. He explained that cities do not have a lot of power in this situation, and since Little Canada contracts with an outside law enforcement agency we cannot force them to act in a certain way. The City Attorney stated that she has created an immigration guidance document for city staff and Council. She noted that most of the information in this document is official legal law, but she has also included additional bullet points that are legal advice suggestions. Council and staff discussed the information that should be included. Fischer reported that a few other cities are stating and posting signage that immigration agents cannot be on city property. The City Attorney stated that this action is not enforceable. Fischer requested that resource information be added on the city's website for the public. I)