HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-23-2026
City Council Conference Meeting
February 23, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
7071 University Avenue NE
Agenda
1.Parks and Recreation Department Update
2.Mayor Ostwald Local Boards and Committees Update
3.Separation from Federal Immigration Enforcement
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Meeting Type:City Council Conference
Submitted By:Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director
Title: Parks and Recreation Department Update
Background
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Maher, Recreation Manager Margo Numedahl and
Springbrook Nature Center Manager Tara Rognes will provide an update and future outlook on
the Parks and Recreation Department. 2026 promises to be an exceptionally busy year as the
new Commons Park comes online, staffing growth occurs, neighborhood parks continue to be
revitalized and the public art program takes a leap forward. Springbrook Nature Center
continues expansion and excellence as program areas expand and staff works in partnership
with the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation to make improvements to the site and develop
engaging programs and services for Fridley residents.
Recommendation
None
Attachments and Other Resources
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and
businesses.
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Meeting Type:City Council Conference
Submitted By:Melissa Moore, Assistant City Manager
Title: Mayor Ostwald Local Boards and Committees Update
Background
Each January the Council makes various appointments to local boards and committees to
perform functions outlined and authorized by the City Charter, ordinance, resolution or
agreement. Mayor Ostwald will provide an update to the Council on the various bodies he is
appointed to, including the Anoka County Law Enforcement Council, Metro Cities and the North
Metro Mayors Association.
Recommendation
Attachments and Other Resources
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and
businesses.
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Meeting Type:City Council Conference
Submitted By:Wally Wysopal, City Manager
Title: Separation from Federal Immigration Enforcement
Background
At the request of Councilmember Vescio, this item is brought forward for the Council's attention
and discussion. The attachment has not been prepared by staff and has not been reviewed by
the City Attorney, as is customary for items considered by the Council.
Recommendation
Attachments and Other Resources
1.Separation from Federal Immigration Enforcement prepared by Councilmember Vescio
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and
businesses.
Not prepared by the City of Fridley or reviewed by the City Attorney. Prepared by Councilmember Vescio.
Emergency Ordinance: Separation from Federal Immigration Enforcement
Section 1. Emergency Findings and Purpose
A. The City Council finds that immediate clarity is required to protect public safety, student
safety, and constitutional rights during ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity in the
metro area.
B. Trust between residents, schools, and local government is essential to public safety.
C. Federal immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. This ordinance sets emergency
boundaries for City operations consistent with state and federal law.
Section 2. Definitions
City: The City of Fridley and all City departments, officers, employees, contractors, and
volunteers.
City Property: All City-owned or City-controlled buildings, land, parks, parking lots,
vehicles, and facilities.
School Property: Buildings, grounds, and parking lots owned or controlled by a public
school district within the City.
Student: A person enrolled in any public school serving the City.
In School: A Student is considered in school while awaiting transportation or traveling
directly from home to school and directly from school to home.
School Safety Zone – property located within 1.000 of any public, private, or charter
school.
ICE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Judicial Warrant: A warrant signed by a judge or magistrate.
Section 3. Separation of City Operations
A. The City shall not enforce federal immigration law.
B. No City funds, staff time, equipment, facilities, or data shall be used for immigration
enforcement activities.
C. City employees shall not ask about immigration status unless required by law.
D. The City shall not detain any person solely on the basis of a civil immigration detainer or
request.
Not prepared by the City of Fridley or reviewed by the City Attorney. Prepared by Councilmember Vescio.
Section 4. Access to City and School Property
A. ICE agents may enter non-public areas of City Property or School Property only with a valid
judicial warrant.
C. ICE may not conduct immigration enforcement activities on City Property
D. ICE may not stage operations, wait, surveil, question, detain, or arrest anyone on City
Property
E. ICE may not use City Property as:
A base of operations
A meeting location
A staging or waiting area
F. ICE may not enter a school safety zone to support or facilitate enforcement activities.
G. City staff and City law enforcement shall not assist ICE operations on or within School
Property or involving Students and employees who are In School, except where a judicial
warrant is presented.
H. shall not be used to support, facilitate, or assist immigration enforcement activities.
Section 5. Police Duty and Constitutional Protections
A. No City employee or officer shall assist ICE with immigration enforcement unless required by
local laws or a judicial warrant.
B. If City police respond to a situation involving ICE where no judicial warrant is present, or
where a person’s constitutional rights appear to be violated, officers shall take reasonable
steps to protect the affected person’s rights and safety.
C. Any judicial warrant presented by ICE shall be verified by the City Attorney or designee when
feasible.
Section 6. Information Protections
A. The City shall not collect or share information regarding immigration status.
B. The City shall not share personal information or provide notification to ICE unless required by
law or a judicial warrant.
Not prepared by the City of Fridley or reviewed by the City Attorney. Prepared by Councilmember Vescio.
C. ICE shall not be granted access, either directly or indirectly, to any City-owned/leased or City-
controlled surveillance systems, including but not limited to fixed cameras, mobile cameras,
license-plate recognition systems (including FLOCK), or related databases.
D. City employees and officers shall not provide ICE with real-time or historical camera footage,
data searches, alerts, or analytical assistance.
F. Council Oversight of Surveillance Data Disclosure - Except where disclosure is expressly
required by state law or a valid judicial warrant, no surveillance data shall be released to ICE
without prior approval of the City Council. Any disclosure required by law or judicial warrant
shall be documented and reported to the City Council as soon as practicable.
Section 7. Compliance and Severability
A. Nothing in this ordinance requires any action that violates state or federal law.
B. If any provision of this ordinance is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in
effect.
Section 8. Emergency Effective Date and Sunset
A. This emergency ordinance takes effect immediately upon adoption.
B. This ordinance shall automatically expire 180 days after its effective date unless extended,
amended, or made permanent by action of the City Council.
C. Prior to expiration, the City Council may review the ordinance’s impacts on public safety,
school safety, and City operations and take further action as deemed appropriate.