City Council Work Session 07/06/2026 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 would you put in a time capsule?
  Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor

• 2.Yellow Tree Introduction and Development Update. (30 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director
  Staff are seeking Council feedback on the developer's preliminary vision and redevelopment concepts for the Medtronic site. Specifically, staff are looking for general direction on whether the proposed vision aligns with the Council's goals and whether the Council is supportive of the developer continuing to invest time and resources into the project. Staff also request feedback regarding the Council's willingness to consider future public-private partnerships and potential redevelopment assistance should the project continue to advance.

• 3.Recap of Municipal Consent Public Hearing on MnDOT’s Central Avenue Improvements Project. (30 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: Rochelle Widmer, Director of Engineering and Facilities
  Staff requests that Council have a brief discussion whether the questions and comments brought forward by the public were captured correctly in the attached log and if any additional comments have been brought forward since the public hearing.

• 4.Discussion of One-Year Extension of Walters Recycling and Refuse Contracts. (15 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: David Cullen, Public Works Director
  Staff requests that the City Council discuss the one-year extension of Contracts 2022-4113 and 2022-4118 with Walters Recycling and Refuse through December 31, 2027.

• 5.Sullivan Lake Park Playground Design Concepts. (20 Minutes)
  Presenting Item: John W. Stutzman, Parks and Recreation Director
  No action needed. For City Council review and discussion only.

• 6.Municipal Service Center Project Update
  Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
  Staff would like feedback from the Council on how to respond to SACA regarding their proposed purchase terms, and staff would like feedback on the proposed concept of timing demolition of old City Hall with the demolition of the current public works building.

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

• 8.Council Corner.
  Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor
  Monthly Calendar Sharing
  Monthly Event Notification, Attendance and Past Event Updates
  Monthly Proclamations and Meeting Guests
  Ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife
  Prevailing wage requirements and TIF
  Media protocol norms check-in 

ADJOURNMENT