City Council Meeting 01/26/2026 06:00 PM City Hall—Council Chambers, 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 ID 264 411 150 077 3, Passcode kY9ab37y. 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

• A.Salt Awareness Proclamation.
  Accepting Proclamation: Michelle Spangler, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

• B.Proclamation Honoring Tom Letness for His Stewardship of the Heights Theater.
  Accepting Proclamation: Tom Letness

• C.World Holocaust Day Proclamation.
  Accepting Proclamation: Rabbi Jessica Rosenburg, Jewish Voice for Peace

• D.Black History Month Proclamation.
  Accepting Proclamation: Devon Minke, 3rd Grade teacher / Black Men Teach Fellow and Keon Lewis, 2nd Grade Teacher. 

• E.World Hijab Day Proclamation.
  Accepting Proclamation: Anisa Hagi-Mohamed

CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Report of the City Council

Report of the City Manager

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.)

• 1.Approve January 5, 2026, City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to approve the January 5, 2026, City Council Work Session meeting minutes.

• 2.Approve January 12, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to approve the January 12, 2026, City Council meeting minutes.

• 3.Approve January 20, 2026, Emergency City Council Meeting Minutes.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to approve the January 20, 2026, Emergency City Council meeting minutes.

• 4.Accept October 16, 2025, Charter Commission Meeting Minutes.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to accept the October 16, 2025, Charter Commission meeting minutes.

• 5.Adopt Resolution 2026-006 to Amend the 437 and 720 Budget for Purchase of Host Server Hardware and Licensing.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-006, there being ample copies available to the public.
  MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-006, amending the Fund 437 and 720 budget to authorize the purchase of host hardware and related software from Paragon Data Systems in the amount of $196,000.

• 6.Adopt Resolution 2026-010, Appointing Kyannah McKinney to the Planning Commission as a Youth Commissioner.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2026-010, there being ample copies available to the public.
  MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2026-010, appointing Kyannah McKinney to the City of Columbia Heights Youth Commission as a non-voting member of the Planning Commission.

• 7.License Agenda.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  MOTION: Move to approve the items listed on the business license agenda for January 26, 2026, as presented.

• 8.Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval.
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich
  MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for January 26, 2026, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.

• 9.Review of Bills.
  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 $1,287,356.92.

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:

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.

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:

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 

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:

Ordinances and Resolutions
No Ordinances or Resolutions. 

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:

Bid Considerations
No Bid Considerations.

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:

New Business and Reports
No New Business or Reports.

ADJOURNMENT