CC WS PACKET 02042026 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Staff note that any action would have limited enforceability and could result in legal risk and establishing expectations in the community that staff cannot fulfill, and the City cannot restrict access to the publicly accessible areas of public buildings to any person or agency. Recommendation Staff does not recommend adopting any ordinance that cannot be reasonably enforced or face a legal challenge that could not be effectively defended. It could also place St. Anthony police officers in an untenable position, and could erode public trust in the Police Department by being unable to fulfill community expectations. The City can refresh the existing signage at City parks to express that the use is intended for direct park use only. Law enforcement conduct within City limits Rationale The public has observed and reported unprecedented numbers and behavior of federal law enforcement, resulting in fear and uncertainty. The public has expressed interest in efforts to hold federal law enforcement officers accountable. Common considerations include: 1.Require any law enforcement agency to notify City of their presence in our community. 2.Require any law enforcement agency to wear a body camera and have it on when conducting operations in the City when engaging with people. 3.Prohibiting law enforcement officials from wearing face masks. Feasibility Governmental agencies adhere to intergovernmental immunity, which prevents governments from interfering with others’ functions. Intergovernmental immunity is intended to support governmental balance of powers between Federal, State and local agencies. Considerations of the City requiring other governmental agencies to inform or provide notice in advance likely interferes with intergovernmental immunity because it impacts Federal operations. While previous interactions with Federal agencies may have included notice and cooperation, those were voluntary and not required. Similarly, requirements for Federal agents’ body cameras or mask wearing would also be subject to intergovernmental immunity. Both considerations propose regulating Federal equipment, which is not allowed. The City could consider adopting an ordinance which may or may not pass legal scrutiny. Passing and codifying an ordinance would take time. The pace of ordinance approval and codification does not match the immediacy of the concern. As of the date writing the memo, Staff has not identified other suburban Cities which have passed actions to regulate the conduct of other law enforcement agencies. Staff note that any action would have limited enforceability and could result in legal risk and establishing expectations in the community that staff cannot fulfill. Recommendation Staff does not recommend adopting any ordinance that cannot be reasonably enforced or face a legal challenge that could not be effectively defended. It could also place St. Anthony police officers in an untenable position, and could erode public trust in the Police Department by being unable to fulfill community expectations. Eviction and foreclosure moratoriums Rationale Many Cities and members of the public are concerned with housing evictions as some individuals are not going to work due to risk and fear. Members of the public have expressed interest in eviction