City Council Work Session 01/05/2026 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 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: Think of a time when you felt proud of something the City of Columbia Heights accomplished—or a value or practice the city consistently upholds. What was that experience, and how did it make you feel?
Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor

2.MnDOT: Layout Recommendations for Central Avenue Corridor (Continued from April, May, June and December 2025 Work Sessions). (30 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Rochelle Widmer, City Engineer

Staff requests that council receive updates on the status of the Central Ave redesign. MnDOT would like feedback from council on roundabouts, added pedestrian signals at 50th Ave & 52nd Ave, northbound bus lane, median closure at 42nd Ave, stormwater treatment, and the cooperative construction agreement.

3.Medtronic Development Update. (15 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director

This is an informational item, and staff are not seeking any specific input.

4.Just Cause Tenant Protection. (10 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager and Dan O’Brien, Fire Chief

Staff are requesting City Council feedback on the concept of a just cause tenant protection ordinance, including general policy direction, key considerations Council would like staff to evaluate, and whether Council wishes staff to return with a draft ordinance or additional analysis for future discussion.

5.Ratio Request for Use of City Hall External Parking Lot. (5 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

Staff would like Council feedback regarding the proposed shared use of the parking lot. If the Council supports the partnership, staff will prepare a parking license agreement for approval by the Council at the January 26th Council meeting.

6.Review and Confirm Council Liaison Assignments for 2026. (10 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

Staff asks that council provide direction regarding the designation of board and commission liaisons for 2026 so that formal approval can occur at the January 12, 2026 City Council Meeting.

7.Designation of Legal Newspaper for 2026. (5 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

Staff asks that council provide direction regarding the designation of a legal newspaper for 2026 so that formal approval can occur at the January 12, 2026 City Council Meeting.

8.Review and Approve Council Handbook Updates for 2026. (10 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

Staff requests that council review the attached updates to the 2026 Council Handbook and give additional direction to prepare the handbook for formal approval at the January 12, 2025 City Council Meeting.

9.Review and Confirm Board and Commission Application Period and Interview Times, and Approve 2026 Application Form and Interview Questions. (10 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

Staff requests that council have a brief discussion regarding updates or changes needed to the 2026 Board and Commission Application / Interview Questions as well as confirmation on what dates to schedule interviews in March, 2026.

10.Review and Confirm Local Board of Appeals and Equalization (LBAE) for 2026. (5 Minutes)
Presenting Item: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager

Staff requests that council have a brief discussion regarding the upcoming dates available to schedule the Local Board of Appeals and Equalization Meeting.

11.Council Corner.
Monthly Calendar Sharing
Monthly Event Notification, Attendance and Past Event Updates
Monthly Proclamations and Meeting Guests
Presenting Item: Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor

Work Session Council Memo Jan 2026 Council Corner.pdf (0.06 MB)
Jan Monthly Style.pdf (0.07 MB)
Mayoral Proclamations by Year (2017 - Current).pdf (0.03 MB)
2026 January MLK Day.pdf (0.06 MB)
2026 February World Hijab Day.pdf (0.06 MB)
2025 February Black History Month.pdf (0.06 MB)