Minutes - 2026/01/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 26, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 10 begin making positive progress. He stated in the two events that occurred over the weekend, his officers were on scene with their body cameras rolling. He reported at the end of the day, his officers would continue to be on scene to ensure people remained safe. City Attorney Riggs reviewed a memo of options available to the City Council, which included draft ordinances. He stated the last three weeks have been unprecedented times. He indicated his office represents 75 different cities and his firm was trying to address this issue. He commented on the memo he provided to the Council when it came to what they can and cannot do. He reported he put together an ordinance that had a very broad spectrum that would require anyone operating as law enforcement in Mounds View has to operate like the local police officers. He indicated these provisions may be challenged by the federal government. He stated the goal of this ordinance was to provide transparency. He commented further on what local staff members can do. He discussed how people are trying to work through this issue and there have been communications between the governor and the president, which was a positive thing. However, the reality is, the City Council controls how law enforcement is conducted in the City of Mounds View and the proposed ordinance would assist with setting regulations for all law enforcement activities in the community. Prosecuting Attorney Katrina Joseph introduced herself to the City Council. She discussed the federal court lawsuit that was heard today in Minnesota by Judge Hernandez. She reported on January 12 the State of Minnesota, city of Minneapolis and the city of St. Paul filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security as to how it was carrying out operation Metro Surge. She indicated there was a request for a temporary restraining order. She explained on Friday the city of Golden Valley received some communication from the Attorney General’s office asking for suburban law enforcement agencies to file an amicus brief. She stated she heard from the Golden Valley prosecutor around 4:30 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday morning after the ICE shooting in South Minneapolis there was an emergency meeting of the Hennepin County City Managers and at this meeting the City Administrators indicated they would like her office to file supporting briefs. She inquired if the City Council would like to also file an amicus brief on behalf of the City of Mounds View. She reviewed the five items addressed within the amicus brief noting it was limited in scope. Prosecuting Attorney Joseph commented on a current case that was being heard against a US citizen who has a wife with valid status. The wife has indicated to the advocates at Tubman that if she cooperates with prosecution, he will divorce her and turn her over to ICE. She indicated she takes her job very seriously and discussed how impossible it was to prosecute a domestic violence case without a victim present in court. She stated if victims are worried about being picked up by ICE in court, they will not come forward. She commented further on how the jury pools were being impacted by what was happening in the community. Prosecuting Attorney Joseph reported there was a lot of anger and fear in the community with how local law enforcement was not keeping people safe. She requested the City Council vote to join the amicus brief. Mayor Lindstrom stated he was concerned with the fact the BCA was not allowed to participate in the investigations. He indicated there was no accountability for the federal agents, which was very