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moratoriums. Eviction moratoriums protect renters, whereas foreclosure moratoriums focus on homeowners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Minnesota had issued an Executive Order which paused most residential evictions as one component of the emergency response to the pandemic and its impact on peoples’ jobs. The State of Minnesota has not declared a state of emergency related to the current increased presence of federal agents, though the public has reported notable concerns. Feasibility Eviction and foreclosure moratoriums are subject to private contracts, such as a renter’s lease or a mortgage, which are subject to the contract clause. The contract clause prohibits local and State governments from interfering with contractual obligations. Eviction moratoriums may also be subject to Takings Clauses, which protects individual property rights. The City does not own any housing that they could regulate or enact a moratorium. Other cities have proposed or approved signing a letter urging Governor Walz and the State of Minnesota to pass a moratorium. As of the date writing the memo, Staff has not identified any City that passed eviction or foreclosure moratoriums. Recommendation Staff does not recommend passing a moratorium that cannot be reasonably enforced or face a legal challenge that could not be effectively defended. The City Council could participate in advocacy at the State level to enhance protections. Towing or Towing fee moratorium Rationale As a result of federal agent actions, there have been reports of an increase in abandoned cars in public right-of-way. Considerations to prohibit towing or waiving towing and towing storage fees has been proposed as a measure to avoid adding additional financial and logistical burdens on targeted individuals and families. Feasibility The City Code regulates parking and abandoned vehicles. An abandoned vehicle is described as follows: Has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on public property illegally or without vital operating component parts; Has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the person who controls the property; Remains on private property, is not in a garage, and is in such an inoperable condition that it has no substantial potential further use consistent with its usual functions; or Has been impounded and not reclaimed by its owner The City further has parking restrictions related to snow removal, where on-street parking or a vehicle parked within the right-of-way is not allowed for 48 hours at two or more inches of continuous snowfall. The City Code also deems that a vehicle left standing for 24 hours or more is determined as a traffic impediment, and the Police Department is authorized to provide the removal of the vehicle. The City Code describes the regulation of the use of right-of-way, with the purpose to keep the right-of- way in a state of good repair and free from necessary encumbrances. This is in part why the City has a robust permitting process for any individual or company utilizing or working within the right-of-way. Abandoned vehicles within the right-of-way adversely impact traffic and roadway conditions. Leaving abandoned vehicles will make roadway less safe in ways including but not limited to increasing traffic,