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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 280 136 504 322 9, Passcode Sf6p5VF2. Additionally, members of the public may view the meeting live at columbiaheightsmn.gov/watch. 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: Rose McGee, President & Founder, Board Director of Sweet Potato Comfort Pie.
CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Council
Report of the City Manager
City Manager Response to December 8, 2025, Community Forum Concerns.
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 December 8, 2025, City Council meeting minutes.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to accept the December 3, 2025, Library Board meeting minutes.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to accept the October 6, 2025, EDA meeting minutes.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to accept the November 10, 2025, EDA meeting minutes.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to accept the December 1, 2025, EDA meeting minutes.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-01, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-01, designating the official depositories for the City of Columbia Heights.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-02, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-02, accepting donations received by the City of Columbia Heights.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-03, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-03, appointing a Council President as well as Liaisons to City Boards & Commissions and External Boards.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-04, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-04, approving the 2026 City of Columbia Heights City Council Handbook.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-005, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2026-005, a resolution approving the single-family rental exemption request for the rental application at 4129 7th Street NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-009, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-009 accepting the work for the 37th Avenue and 37th Place Reconstruction project, City Projects 2110 and 2306, authorizing the final payment of $1,045,229.17 to the City of Minneapolis, and amending the project budget in the amount of $285,551 in net change orders approved by the City Manager under the City’s purchasing policy.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to authorize payment of Eureka Construction Work Order #031, to correct a 37th Place stormwater improvement in the amount of $38,414.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich – City Manager
MOTION: Move to authorize the City Manager and/or Police Chief to enter into an updated agreement with Canvas Health to provide two full-time mental health professionals to co-respond with police officers to individual in crisis calls for a cost of $137,000 annually.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich – City Manager
MOTION: Move to authorize the Police Chief to purchase one 2026 Ford Utility Police Vehicle from the MN CPV vendor for $48,100, and to expend up to $34,900 for the outfitting and setting up of this vehicle for patrol use for a total cost of $83,000.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich – City Manager
MOTION: Move to authorize the Deputy Police Chief to purchase Space Saver lockers and installation from Mid-America Business systems in the amount of $161,855.24, and to contract for removal and electrical work as outlined above for a total cost of $171,952.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to authorize the issuance of blanket purchase orders for calendar year 2026 for de-icing salt, fuel, bituminous asphalt, and refuse carts, in amounts consistent with the adopted 2026 Public Works budget.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve the award of the Public Works 2026–2029 three-year roll-off material disposal contract to Walters Recycling and Refuse.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to designate Life as the City of Columbia Heights official legal newspaper for 2026.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed on the business license agenda for January 12, 2026, as presented.
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for January 12, 2026, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
Presenting Item: City Manager Aaron Chirpich
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 $2,646,775.78.
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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.
No Public Hearings.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Ordinances and Resolutions
Presenting Item: Mitchell Forney Community Development Director
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-007, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-007, a resolution awarding the sale of taxable general obligation tax increment refunding bonds, series 2026a, in the original aggregate principal amount of $7,490,000; fixing their form and specifications; directing their execution and delivery; providing for their payment; authorizing the execution of documents in connection therewith; and providing for the payment of bonds refunded thereby.
Presenting Item: Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-008, there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-008, a resolution approving a development assistance agreement with the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority and Alatus Columbia Heights II LLC.
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Bid Considerations
No Bid Considerations.
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New Business and Reports
No New Business or Reports.
ADJOURNMENT