City Council Work Session 06/01/2026 06:00 PM City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE

Board and Commission Meeting
Agenda section
meeting date

ITEM:
Presenting Item:
DEPARTMENT:		BY/DATE:
CORE CITY STRATEGIES: (please indicate areas that apply by adding an “X” in front of the selected text below)
_Community that Grows with Purpose and Equity _High Quality Public Spaces _Safe, Accessible and Built for Everyone			_Engaged, Effective and Forward-Thinking _Resilient and Prosperous Economy _Inclusive and Connected Community

RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):

MOTION:

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, or by using Microsoft Teams Meeting at http://www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/joinameeting ID 244 591 441 962 9, Passcode GH63Mp9D. For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-3610.

Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

• Columbia Heights City Council and Staff Norms.
  While we are accountable to each other for these norms, the Mayor and City Manager will help us adhere to them with respectful reminders and reinforcement as needed.

WORK SESSION ITEMS

• 1.Group Ice Breaker: What is one thing you are looking forward to in Columbia Heights this summer.
  Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor

• 2.Introduction of Sarah Zonn-Schmittdiel, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. (10 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor

• 3.Municipal Consent for MnDOT Central Avenue Reconstruction Project. (30 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Rochelle Widmer, Director of Engineering and Facilities
  Staff requests that Council have a brief discussion regarding MnDOT’s Municipal Consent submittal for the Central Avenue Reconstruction project.

• 4.Ongoing ALPR Discussions. (30 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Chief Matt Markham
  Staff is seeking Council input and direction on the following:
  1. Additional information or analysis needed regarding Flock Safety or Axon ALPR systems.
  2. Approval to schedule a second town hall meeting and proceed with securing an independent facilitator.
  3. Approval to initiate the formation of the ALPR Technical Advisory Task Force, with MCAC conducting member selection.
  4. Any other guidance on public engagement or evaluation processes the Council wishes to include.

• 5.Discussion of Fire Service Delivery and Organizational Study. (10 minutes)
  Presenting Item: Daniel O’Brien, Fire Chief
  Staff requests that the City Council discuss and provide directions regarding the inclusion of a comprehensive Fire Service Delivery and Organizational Study in the 2027 Fire Department budget.

• 6.Just Cause Update (15 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  Staff request that council have a discussion regarding the legal considerations that have been raised before moving forward with enactment of an ordinance.

• 7.Transition to City Administered 18-Day Early Voting and Delegation of 46-Day Absentee Voting Operations to Anoka County. (5 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  Staff request that the council review the implementation of the 18-day early voting period so that the attached draft notice can be submitted to Anoka County Elections to begin at the upcoming August State Primary Election.

• 8.City Manager Follow Up on Previous Work Session Topics. (15 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

• 9.Council Corner.
  Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor
  Monthly Calendar Sharing
  Monthly Event Notification, Attendance and Past Event Updates
  Monthly Proclamations and Meeting Guests

ADJOURNMENT