City Council Work Session 05/04/2026 06:00 PM

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

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.

1.Group Ice Breaker: Share one moment from the past week that reminded you why you serve.
Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor

2.Discussion of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) Technology (30 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Matt Markham, Chief of Police
Council to provide feedback or direction as appropriate.

3.Discussion of the Planned Development at 1515 44th Ave NE. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Ursula Brandt, City Planner
Staff requests the council give feedback on the proposed preliminary site plan.

4.Presentation on the Police Department Use of Force Report for 2025. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Matt Markham, Chief of Police
No action is needed.

5.Social Media Policy. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Will Rottler, Communications and Engagement Coordinator
Staff are seeking feedback on the draft social media policy.

6.Parks and Recreation Updates. (30 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager
No action needed. For City Council review and discussion only.

7.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 and set a date for the public hearing that satisfies relevant state statutes.

Central_Ave_Work_Session_Council_Memo_2026-0429.pdf (0.06 MB)
Submittal Letter CH.pdf (0.63 MB)
Good_Faith_Cost_Estimate_CH.pdf (0.51 MB)
Example_Resolution for Municipal Consent CH.pdf (0.03 MB)
Timelapse Engagement Summary_Final.pdf (0.94 MB)
Central_Ave_Municipal_Consent_Layout_2026-0414.pdf (17.21 MB)
MN Statutes 161.162-161.167-1503388-v1.pdf (0.33 MB)

8.Initiation of Regional Solicitation Funding Application for 44th Avenue NE Redesign from Main Street to Central Avenue. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Rochelle Widmer, Director of Engineering and Facilities
Staff requests that Council approves the initiation an application for Regional Solicitation funding on 44th Avenue redesign between TH 65 and Main Street with the assistance of a consultant.

9.Update on 2026 Street Program – Municipal State Aid (MSA) Street Mill & Overlay Project. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Rochelle Widmer, Director of Engineering and Facilities
Staff request that council receive updates on the status of the 2026 Street Program – Municipal State Aid Street Mill & Overlay project.

10.Introduction of Heights Project Hub and Council Work Session Item Proposal Process. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chipich, City Manager and Jesse Hauf, IT Director
This is an informational item, and staff are not seeking any specific input.

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