Board and Commission Meeting | |
Agenda section | |
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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 ID 240 312 717 188 422, Passcode Nh9jR9Xx. 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.
WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
MISSION STATEMENT
Columbia Heights is a vibrant, healthy and connected City. We are here to actively support the community, deliver equitable services, build and strengthen connections, improve upon our past, and uphold our successes. We strive to be better and ensure Columbia Heights is a great place for everyone, today and in the future.
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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
(The Council, upon majority vote of its members, may make additions and deletions to the agenda. These may be items submitted after the agenda preparation deadline.)
PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
Accepting Proclamation: Starlynne Llanas, Alexandra House
Accepting Proclamation: Denise Roberts
Accepting Proclamation: Noah Nelson, Sparkle Theatre
CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Council
Board and Commission Meeting | |
Agenda section | |
meeting date | |
Report of the City Manager
City Manager response to October 13th Community Forum
COMMUNITY FORUM
The Community Forum is an opportunity to address the City Council about items not scheduled for a public hearing.
All speakers must provide their name and connection to Columbia Heights. In-person speakers should complete a form for the City Clerk and introduce themselves at the podium. Virtual speakers should send their information to the moderator via chat and turn on their camera when called.
Comments are limited to five minutes. Disrespectful language is not allowed. The Council may ask questions or refer items for follow-up but typically does not take action during the forum.
CONSENT AGENDA
These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion. Items removed from consent agenda approval will be taken up as the next order of business. (The City Council will make motion to approve the Consent Agenda following the statement of all items.)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve the October 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-068, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2026-068, appointing Catherine Vesley and Erik Jackson to the Planning Commission.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-067, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-067, appointing April Held, Judah Scharnhorst, Jamaal Gilbert, Sarah Blum, and Donna Mahlmann to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Review Committee.
Presenting Item: Daniel O’Brien, Fire Chief
MOTION: Move to authorize the Fire Department to enter into an agreement with MacQueen Emergency Group in the amount of $30,800.00 for the purchase, delivery, and installation of one Circul-Air ROTO-DECON SCBA and Hardgoods Extractor, with funding to come from available personnel savings within the 2026 Fire Department operating budget.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve entering into a contract with Delta Dental for employee dental insurance in 2027.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve the municipal finance engagement letter with Kutak Rock, as presented, for legal services to the City of Columbia Heights and its Economic Development Authority and direct the City Manager to sign the same.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Motion to renew the legislative service agreement with Lockridge, Grindal and Nauen P.L.L.P for the term November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve payment to House of Strength Training in the amount of $26,154.36.
MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8 the City Council has reviewed the enclosed list to claims paid by check and by electronic funds transfer in the amount of $1,344,387.16.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
This is the public’s opportunity to speak regarding this matter. Speakers that are in-person are asked to complete a Speaker Form and submit it to the City Clerk. Speakers attending virtually should send a request to speak with this information to the moderator using the chat function and wait to be called on to speak. When speaking, virtual attendees should turn their camera on. Speakers should limit their comments to five (5) minutes. Any comments made after the public hearing is closed will not be considered by the City Council and will not be included as part of the formal record for this matter as the item will have been voted on and the item formally closed by the Council.
Presenting Item: Mitchell Forney, Community Development
MOTION: Move to close the public hearing and waive the reading of Resolution 2026-70, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 2026-70, a resolution approving the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority’s request of a levy increase for taxes payable in 2027 for economic development purposes.
Presenting Item: Brad Roddy, Assistant Fire Chief
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Ordinances and Resolutions
Presenting Item: Kelly Monahan, Assistant City Engineer
Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-071, there being ample copies available to the
public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-071, approving the Columbia Heights Statement on Anoka County Drone Utilization.
Bid Considerations
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-069, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 2026-069, a resolution awarding the City Public Works Architectural Services, Project No. 2414, to the firm of Oertel Architects based upon the qualification’s selection process for a cost of $1,671,073, appropriated from Fund 411.9950.43150.2414
New Business and Reports
ADJOURNMENT