City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the city of Woodbury city council meeting for tonight. Uh it is January 14th. It is 2026. It is 7:30 p.m. This meeting is being held here in council chambers. We have overflow behind the chambers in the second floor behind the windows there. We have more people downstairs and I'm sure there's a lot of people watching online. So, uh a very important topic we're going to be addressing tonight and then I know many of you are here for. So, we're uh really grateful that you're here and looking forward to uh the discussion and to the meeting ahead. Um I have lots of notes and lots of things to say as as we get this whole thing going. But as is our normal practice, please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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.

Um and um Ashley, our assistant city administrator and city clerk, would you please do the roll call? Council member Morris here. Council member Santini here. Council member Stafford here. Council member Wilson here. Member Wilson is attending virtually. Uh and Mayor Bert,

we are here. So we're all here tonight so we're able to conduct tonight's business. I also just want to take a moment and introduce we have other staff people and up here at the desks. Um so over here is Eric Surles uh assistant public assistant community development director, city planner. Um, I already mentioned Ashley. Our city administrator is Jeff Dah. Our city attorney is Kevin Sandstrom. And you've heard all of us uh be introduced and our names are all here. Um, I have again I got lots of things to say tonight. So please, you guys are going to be sick of hearing me talk. But um, let me just kick this off. So um, first of all, as I said before, welcome. We are really glad that you're here. We I can speak for all of us. We really are very honored and privileged to serve in this role as your city council. Um, we take seriously this role of what we do in local government and we realize in local government we are closest to the people. This is a place where you have to come and speak to us. It's much harder to get through to the state, much even harder to get through to federal um um officials, but we are here to hear you. So, uh we thank you for uh allowing choosing to have us serve in this role and are um just grateful that we can do it. Uh we do have a lot of people in attendance this evening and I do suspect and I think it's probably true that if almost all of you are here to speak about ICE in our community and to um and the report in the news that Woodbury is being considered for an ICE detention facility. Uh we uh appreciate you being here. I know we can count on you all to be very respectful. We have a lot of people in this room. It's going to get warm again. More people downstairs. I do see some signs. Um, signs are okay, but I'm just going to ask you to be respectful for those signs, whether you're in this room or downstairs. Please be considerate of those around you, and do not block their views if you could. Um, now I have more to say. I want to provide an update on a message that I

shared with the community over social media this past Friday. A recent news report indicated that Woodbury may be included among potential locations for a future US Immigration and [clears throat] Customs Enforcement detention facility. Since that report, residents have contacted the city with concerns, and many have expressed strong opposition to a facility of this nature. In case you missed it, which perhaps you did, today we announced at 3:30 an update about this potential facility. City staff have verbally confirmed the property located at 11435 Hudson Road is not being sold or leased to the federal government or agents acting on their behalf. Representatives from the property also confirmed to city staff that the future use of the building will not be an ICE detention facility. [applause]

[applause] some of us were doing cartwheels and everything also when we heard that news. So, I'm glad to hear the applause and appreciation for that. A few more things. Um, as in all real estate transactions, private property owners hold the initial decision-making authority regarding the future use of a building. And it's with this information we can publicly confirm that the rumored location in Woodbury will not be an ICE facility. So, [applause]

This news is the culmination of many efforts of Woodbury City staff to work every angle possible to identify the various parties involved in the plan and through collaboration, communication, and maybe just a little bit of pressure put an end to the possibility of this facility in our community. Let me be clear. The federal government was looking specifically at this large warehouse at 11435 Hudson Road due to its size. Woodbury does not have any other large warehouse space to meet this purpose which have been reported by the federal government. Nor does this idea of a detention center fit in our community or meet our zoning codes and ordinances. That said, we are still planning on hearing from our community tonight. And normally our open forum process comes at the beginning of the meeting and is limited to three speakers. Given the heightened fears and concerns that the council is hearing from the community, we would like to make some modifications to the open forum portion of the meeting. I recommend that we move the open forum portion of the meeting to the end of the meeting. I'm sorry. Well, toward the end of the meeting, we're going to move it to allow the council to conduct the swearing in of a new police officer tonight and a few other Yeah. [applause] Thanks. Exactly. and a few other regular business items that we have on the agenda. We would also like to remove the limit on the number of speakers who can address the council. Uh normally we allow three speakers, three minutes each. That's our standard. Uh but tonight we're going to extend that and we're going to allow enough time for speakers to speak for one hour. Um if you wish to see

not each

not each [laughter] more more guidelines on that shortly. Um but if you wish to speak please fill out a green sheet. Now that said we already have nearly 30 or so of them. Um we would hope if everyone's cognizant of their time and how long they speak that we could get through everybody. Um, if anyone else out there wants to uh speak or have an opportunity to speak or be on the record, there are green sheets around and there's some staff members that are collecting them and they'll make sure they make the way up here. Um, we ask that if you are here as part of a group that one person speak on behalf of the group. We will do our best to prioritize those in the room first and if time allows move on to share questions or statements from people online because this meeting is being broadcast uh live as well and we always ask and give the opportunity for people to to address online. If we do not get a chance to get your question or your comment, please email it to us to the council email which is councilwoodmn.gov. So at this time I need to ask council this question. I now move to amend the agenda to move item five the open forum to just after the consent agenda which is item six. Do I have a second?

Second. Second motion to second. Any further discussion hearing? None. We do need to do we do need to do a roll call especially with Kim who is remote. So everything is going to be done by a roll call vote. So Ashley, we're still working on getting Kim projected on her screen too. Okay. Well, she Okay, she is over there. Oh, there she is. She's over there. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. Thank you. Um, okay. Ashley, the roll call, please. Council member Santini, I. Council member Stafford, I. Council member Wilson, I. Council member Morris, hi. Mayor Burch,

I. Okay. So, we have now just adjusted the agenda. So, now we're going to take care of these things that we need to take care of first, and that is the very exciting um special order business, which is swearing in of the new police officer, Hannah Milander. And with that, I would like to welcome up Chief uh public and public safety director Jason Posel. Jason, [applause] thank you, Mayor Bur and city council members. This is an exciting night for our department, an exciting night for the community. Tonight, we're going to be swearing in a new police officer along with conducting a badge pinning. Our mission at Woodbury Public Safety is to serve all people with compassion and courage. What makes this possible is the hiring of people who serve in our values of integrity, trust, respect, and excellence. People have a servant's heart, who understand that these professions exist to serve others, and that we will often encounter people on their worst day and work to make them better. As mentioned, tonight we'll be conducting a badge pinning. A little bit about our badges. Uh, police badges are the most recognizable symbol of a police officer. They represent pride, honor, integrity, service, and self-sacrifice. They represent a commitment to our mission and to our values. Police badges have a unique number engraved on them. This number signifies each officer's place in the history of our organization. This number will never be duplicated in the future. Tonight, we'll be swearing in Hannah Milander. Her last name may sound familiar as her much much older cousin Scott [laughter] Meander is one of our longtime police sergeants. I think he knew that was coming. [applause] I think we can all draw inspiration on seeing a young person step up and step forward and choose a path of service to community above self. To Hannah, know that our department supports you. Our city administration, our city council

supports you, and most importantly, the community supports you. This community support is not given, but earned on every interaction, every day. Next, we're going to have Hannah Milander come up for the oath, and I'd invite the mayor down for the swearing and ceremony.

Absolutely. Well, and can I just I don't want to put you on the spot, but we have a large contingent of female officers in our department. Do you want to say anything about that? I mean, I'm very proud and happy to know that um you everyone is so wonderfully. [applause] We do we have uh we have double the national local average of of women police officers in in our organization. We're very proud of that. Uh we have approximately 25% of our police officers are are women. So yeah, we're very proud of that.

Fantastic. [applause] Um and just on my way down, I'm going to respectfully ask the sign holder to you're blocking views from people in back. If you want to like stand up against a wall where you can hold your sign up and you're not blocking anybody, please do so. But otherwise, I'm going to ask you to pull that down. Okay.

Okay. So, you probably know how this goes. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I am do solemnly swear under oath do solemnly swear under oath that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Minnesota and of the state of Minnesota and faithfully discharge the duties and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of police officer of the office of police officer in the city of Woodbury in the city of Woodbury in the county of Washington in the county of Washington and the state of Minnesota in the state of Minnesota to the best of my judgment and ability. to the best of my judgment and ability. So help me God. So help me God.

Wonderful. And now Yeah. congratulations. And [applause] [applause] so you need to know this is the biggest audience any police officer has ever had for swearing in. So a very very special day. Now, uh, who what you've got a family member coming to pin you?

Okay. Over over your cousin the office. Okay. [laughter] Come on up, dad. The official pinning is occurring and then I'll ask uh council members and city administrator if you want to come down. We like to congratulate and then we'll do a photo. You've practiced this so you don't poke her, right? Do you remember like, you know, pins and diapers back in way back in the day? [applause] [applause]

On behalf of the city of Woodbury, I congratulate you and wish you well in your future. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

All right, you're in the middle. [clears throat] Got to scooch in a little bit. Here we go. Y [laughter] perfect. Thank you. Congrats. [applause] Now, as is typical, uh, the new officer and her family and friends go off and do a celebration. They have all kinds of fun. They never invite us. We don't get the cupcakes or anything.

So, carry on. And as they depart, there will be a few chairs that some people can come and move into. and cupcakes. [applause]

That's what I know. Just have them have her walk through that and have them all. That's so great. Okay. swearing in. Okay, so that's now consent agenda.

Now we're doing consent. Okay, so now we will move on to the consent agenda. Um, just so you know, we we get a packet of information way ahead of time. We've reviewed all this in detail. So when you think we're voting super quick, uh, it's only because we've reviewed it all and had questions answered ahead of time. So I do need to read read this though. All items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the city council and will be enacted by one motion and affirmative vote by roll call of a majority of the members present. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member or a citizen so request in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered a separate subject of discussion by the council. Now, normally I always flip to the audience here and ask if anyone wants anything removed. We often don't have anybody in the audience by the way. Um, if anyone has a passion about one of the consent agenda items, please let us know. I always turn to Ashley because she's monitoring online as well. And seeing Okay, I'm not seeing any hands waving or anything. So, with that, um, council members, I'll ask for a motion.

I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Colleen, sorry. Oh, sorry. If anyone wants anything removed Yeah. I'm sorry, Kim. That's okay. Sorry, council members. No. Does anybody Okay, back to now that we the audience doesn't council members. Does anyone want anything removed? I need 6A the minutes removed. Okay. Anything else? All right. Then a motion. I'll move to approve consent agenda items 6B through 6J. Second. Motion is second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. The roll call, please.

Council member Stafford, I. Council member Wilson, I. Council member Morris, hi. Council member Santini, I. Mayor Bert,

I. Those consent agenda items pass. And we will move item 6A to discussion, which is item number eight. So, since we have rearranged now the agenda, we are now going to move on to this open forum portion. and I have a lot to say so please have some patience with me. Uh before we start hearing from you I want to share b a few brief thoughts of my own. First we recognize that the recently stepped up federal immigration enforcement efforts in Woodbury are creating fear and anxiety for many in our community. It is very troubling and not reflective of who who we are as a community. We've always taken great pride in being an inclusive and a welcoming community where everyone feels safe. We have received hundreds of emails and phone calls and letters and really appreciate you taking your time to share your thoughts. Um, I have to uh be honest and um a mayor friend of mine shared a few great things at her at her meeting recently. So, I'm stealing a few of just a few of her ideas, but they're worth reiterating. I have to give her credit for it. But it she uh she she spoke sentiments that that really struck me. Um, this has been a really hard start to the new year. I grieve personally for the loss of life. I grieve for the anxiety that so many are experiencing. I grieve for the growing divide in our country and in our world. I grieve for the inhumity toward each other and as fellow human beings. In these hard times, I challenge all of us to speak and to act respectfully, to listen, and to seek to understand. Individually and collectively, we should call for transparency from our state and federal governments. We should call for Congress to set aside their partisan rhetoric and to create systemic change

to our citizenship process. I ask that we offer our best selves to each other and our neighbors and that we lower the level of discord and go about healing our country. We do continue to work with our partners, county, state, and federal officials to advocate for the rights of our valued immigrant communities during these challenging times. And in case you're just tuning in to this portion of the meeting, and I understand that maybe downstairs did not hear me state this, so I'm going to reiterate it all again. I will re reiterate the public statement and press release that was shared midafter afternoon today. In case you missed it, we announced an update about the potential facility earlier today. City staff has verbally confirmed that the property located at 11435 Hudson Road is not being sold or leased to the federal government or agents acting on their behalf. Representatives of the property also confirmed to the city staff that future use of the building will not be an ICE detention facility. As in all re as in all real estate transactions, private property owners hold the initial decision-making authority regarding the future use of a building. With this information, we can public confirm that the rumored location of Woodbury will not be an ice facility. Let me just take a moment also and highlight what Woodbury is all about. For decades, previous city councils and staff have worked tireously with purpose and compassion to thoughtfully and strategically make this a welcoming and inclusive city that it is. Oh, it sounds like they just got the news.

There's [laughter] a delay.

Okay, there's a delay. Okay. Wow. All right. We have been recognized countless times for being one of the best cities in the state and indeed in the entire country as a wonderful place to live, to work, to learn, to recreate, to raise a family, and generally live a really good life. Really delayed down there. We pride ourselves on being a safe community with good schools, an abundance of parks, trails, and open space where we have thriving business community, nonprofit organizations, a vast variety of faith communities where health care and human care facilities abound. With all of these uh support for residents, neighbors, and one another. So, those are my remarks. I want to open up to city council if you have anything else you'd like to say before I go into the details of how we're [clears throat] going to proceed with this. Kim, anything from you? Doesn't look that good. Okay, then I'm gonna then I'm gonna go forward. So

Oh, wait. Oh, she's she's on delay, too. No, I think she was maybe thinking Tim Laser was still sitting there. Oh. Oh, I'm I'm looking over at you on the screen. Yeah, [snorts] I can't see you looking at me on the screen, so you're just looking into the So, Council Member Wilson, do you have something you'd like to add? Um I'll I'll let the I'll let the public speak first and then um maybe something at the end if that's okay.

Okay. So now we're going to kind of get into the procedure. So let me re reiterate that our uh pro protocol for open form at council meetings is really just to listen. We're here to listen and to [clears throat] understand and we'll we will not be responding to questions tonight. But we will update our FAQ page on the website that by the way did go live today. So you can look there for more information. We're also collaborating with the League of Women, League of W of Minnesota, League of Minnesota Voter, League of Women Voters of Minnesota, whatever it is, those pe that group to host an online webinar next Tuesday evening where people can submit questions ahead of time and hear directly from Chief Posal, our our public safety director, and other community leaders with this topic. So more information to come, more opportunities to to learn and uh and share. Um, but now let's get started. Here's how it's going to work. We will call up three speakers at a time to form a queue so we're not waiting wasting precious moments waiting for the next people to come forward. In addition, there may be people downstairs and since it's on delay, you know, we're going to keep this moving. Um, so we're going to always kind of have three one person speaking, two more and three more in the queue ready to go. We have dedicated one hour to this open forum and we do limit speakers to three minutes each. We are prioritizing residents over non-residents. And I just want to reiterate that the very first person that turned into a green sheet, unfortunately, you're a non-resident. So, you've been moved and bumped back. Apologize for that. But we do want to hear from residents first. Um, let's see, where else am I on my sheet? Um Um, so three minutes each. I ask that speakers respect that time limit so as to give others an opportunity to share their thoughts. Here's how it works. We have a timer right there and a light system right in front of you. I think it's right. Right. Green is good. Yellow says your time is coming to nearing. And red means your three minutes are up. I hate to be that

person that's going to catch you off, but out of respect for everyone else that wants a chance to speak, I'm going to have to do that. So, apologies upfront. We have chosen to allow some of our elected officials to speak first, and they too have a threeminute limit. They each have their own channels and platforms to share their views. You can certainly look to them to share that in more ways or reach out to them uh in ways that they have available. As I said, we're here to listen and not respond. This is not a dialogue. If we run out of time to let you speak, you can submit comments to council atwoodburym.gov. Um and um I am also asking uh that we maintain decorum in these chambers. I hope all will be respectful of that. Um, and we don't have to stop the meeting uh because of misbehavior. I know you're all grown adults, so we won't have that. Um, so to begin with, I'm going to call up uh Senator Amanda Heman Serger. Representative Ethan Shaw will be in the queue next. And then uh if County Commissioner Michelle Clawson is here, I haven't seen her yet, but if she's here, she will be next. Um, and then u my mayor prom will be when Amanda's done speaking or the senator's done speaking, she'll be calling up the next person. So listen for your name and then be ready to go. The 1 hour begins now. So we are at 7:55. We will go till 8:55. Welcome Senator.

Thank you. Uh thank you so much again. My name is Amanda Hemson Jerger. I am the senator for district 47 which includes South Maplewood and all of Woodbury. Um I also want to thank the council mayor and Woodbury PD for your statements supporting our community and for listening to the community. want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to before you tonight and um an additional thank you for being flexible and open by opening up your agenda to allow this hour to hear from our our constituents. And I want to say to all the people around downstairs online, thank you as well um for being here, our neighbors in the room and online. Our community is experiencing challenges that we could never fathom happening. In a matter of a few weeks, the presence of ICE has shook our community to its core. People are afraid to leave their home to go to groceries, to go to healthcare appointments, or to go to school. Um, I can say my husband just uh over at the Home Depot parking lot witnessed ICE agents with guns out and then a caravan of nine SUVs leaving the property. Extremely intimidating. Uh, we have heard stories of neighbors being forcibly removed from their cars, shoved to the ground, abducted to a detainment facility, and held there unlawfully for over 10 hours. I have another story of another constituent who is being held in custody in a hospital because he's an asylum seeker and needs to get the care he needs for very genetic disorder. I've also just heard today of a married couple that are now separated by an ocean because he's too afraid to be here with his spouse. And we have to also recognize the murder of Renee Good and we don't want that to happen here. In addition to its terrorizing presence, ICE is rumored the rumored detention facility caused a lot of fear. I'm grateful that that fear, we were able to get some confirmation that that is no longer happening. But I think it's important to recognize just what

that causes in a community. Um, I'm grateful for the Washington County Board with their strong stance and their listening to the public yesterday. I continue to be grateful to you and we just need to recognize that this impact is real. School absences, work absences, economic activity and decline. These actions are intended to divide us as a community and the community is looking to us, city council, county board, state officials, federal officials to be strong and stand with the community. Our neighbors are doing their part by telling us to look around. They're engaging in peaceful protests. They're looking out for each other in their neighborhoods. And I am asking city council to recognize that ICE is bad for public safety. It's bad for business. It's bad for our neighbors. And we want them out of Woodbury. So, thank you. [applause] [applause] Representative Ethan Cha

and John Phillips can start to make his way up and since I don't see Commissioner Clawson has anybody so then Brenda KDson as well could probably representative thank you to the council one more thing I forgot to state typically we when we ask everyone to come forward please state your name for the record and then also your city of residence okay sorry

thank you uh state represent Ethan Sha representing 47B. Thank you to the council and thank you to all the residents who are present here today. I'm going to be real fast, but I'll start with this. In 1961, my father served the CIA in the secret war of Laos. In 1980, I came to America as a refugee of Laos. I became a naturalized citizen in the 90s, and today I am your state representative. [applause] I take pride in this city and the state because I was raised in St. Paul in neighborhoods of the Rondo neighborhood and I moved my family here in 1996 to Woodbury. For those that don't know, I've served this seat for the last three years and I will tell you something that the impact of this of the ICE presence and the activities that has happened in Minnesota since ICE have been here is an infringement on the American dream. For those of us like my mother who came here as a refugee, who studied two years to get her citizenship so she can vote today, she is in fear. She will not go to the grocery store. She will not leave the house because she's afraid that she will be deported, that she will be detained. That is a fear mongering that's happening in our community. Doesn't matter what nationality you are, the color of your skin. It's infringement of the American Constitution and the rights of every citizen in the United States of America. The community doesn't know where to turn. It's looking to its leadership. It's looking to the local government, to the federal, to the state. [snorts] I applaud your investigation into the purchase of the property on Hudson Road, and I thank you for that. But the but the fight doesn't stop there. That we are fighting this every day within our

communities, within our schools. And the impact of mental health onto our community is enormous. It is a price that we cannot pay. We cannot afford to have ice in our community. And we as a community of Woodbury is not for sale.

That's right. As your state representative, I want to work with you locally and at the federal level to ensure that our citizens are being heard, that the safety is the number one priority for everyone within our borders so that when somebody goes to school, goes to the grocery store, goes to a doctor's appointment, they're not being harassed. I want you to know that I believe in the Constitution. That's why I am here. I believe in our civil rights. That's why I serve. And I want Woodbury to know that the American dream lives here and it will be protected. Thank you. [applause]

Jodell Miller can start to make her way up. Jodell. And again, if you could state your name and city resident. Thank you.

My name is John Phillips and I'm a resident of Woodbury and I'm strongly opposed to an ICE facility. While I'm grateful to hear the news about the property on Hudson Road, the threat is still there. If anything, the Trump administration has shown they don't like to lose. They don't back down, and in fact, they double down. So, I'm here tonight to say that with all due respect, the city's response to this threat to date has been, frankly inadequate. Let's not fool ourselves. ICE didn't choose Woodbury just because we're next to a freeway and we have a big warehouse. They chose us because they see us as weak. They view our strengths, our nonpartisan governance, our pro business stance, and our welcoming values as weaknesses to exploit. ICE likes Woodbury. They like sleeping in our hotels and eating in our restaurants and avoiding the spotlight of protesters. This idea that we will quote facilitate conversations with decision makers and invite them to participate in public discussions end quote leaves us on the defensive. That's like bringing a pen and notepad to a knife fight. We are not dealing with some developer here. We are dealing with ICE, a militarized, combat ready occupying force. The only discussion they will have is the terms of our surrender. This meeting may feel stressful, but is nothing like what is to come. Make no mistake, the full weight of the Trump administration and MAGA will be deployed upon us. Trump has shown us what is in is in his tool chest. He and Christine Gnome only know raw power and brute force. They will threaten to cut programs and funding, initiate investigation in investigations, and squeeze our businesses. They will militarize Woodbury and employ fear, intimidation, and violence up to and including deadly force. They will deploy MAGA and its online trolls and gotcha YouTubers to

harass us and curate and spread misinformation about Woodbury. This is not hyperbole. You know what I'm saying is true. They have shown us all of this. When this issue gets nationalized, and it will because everything goes viral now, the pressure on you will be enormous. If and when is now, already federal contractors are securing facilities. The Washington Post reported that in Social Circle, Georgia, an anonymous buyer has already purchased the only warehouse facility that would fit the bill. We need to you to speak out and voice your strong opposition and to signal to everyone that the processes to stand up a detention facility will be so cost prohibitive that it's not worth the effort. You don't get to have it both ways. You don't get to say that you share our concerns and at the same time let things play out and say, "Oh well, we tried." You have to pick a side. Thank you. [cheering and applause] Brenda, try to keep it. Brenda, I think that's Brenda. [applause] So, Brenda's up and then Jodell's up and then Kay Hendrickson. So, if you guys can keep sort of Yeah. Be ready. Be ready. Come forward and be ready to go. Yeah.

Madame Mayor, thank you so much for the news that you have for us today. You're welcome. I was pretty worried when I heard that there was this rumor or information or whatever going around um that this could happen in Woodbury. May I ask you just to state your name and city of residence for record? Thank you. Sure. Speak in the microphone just to the um Brenda KDson Woodbury. Thank you. Um I've lived in Woodbury for over 20 years. However, I've never [gasps] um attend felt the need to I think I'll put my glasses on.

I know the feeling. Yeah. Um however, I've never felt the need to attend a city council meeting until tonight. The city of Woodbury has long advertised and been recognized regionally as a wonderful place to live. [snorts]

I have just started hearing that the city of Woodbury is being considered for an ICE detention facility. [snorts] Is this who we are morally? [sighs] Or if that doesn't matter, how would that change our advertising or our reputation? Would there be a new sign on the freeway [clears throat] advertising on I94 city of Woodbury detention facility? And again, I'm so grateful, Madame Mayor. [applause]

Ellie Anderson can get ready as well. Hi, my name is Jodell Miller. I'm a Woodberry resident. First of all, get ice out of Woodberry. [applause] [cheering] We elected you. It's time to show courage and protect all our neighbors. [cheering] [applause]

February 3rd, 6:30 p.m. is caucus night, and if you don't do what you need to do in this moment of change, we will vote you out. Thank you for doing your job. Thank you for showing courage. [cheering and applause] [applause] Ross Chavez after No, no, no. Sorry. K, you're next. I'm just trying to get the queue going. And then Ellie Anderson and then Ross. Say when. Ready? Go ahead. Yep. Name and name and city. Don't forget.

My name is Kay Hendrickson. I've been a Woodbury resident for about 30 years. I was on the city of Woodbury planning commission for five years a few years ago. I love the city of Woodbury. I love my city. For full disclosure, uh I am the chair of a statewide volunteer advocacy organization for senior citizens, the DFL senior caucus. ICE involvement in our city is not safe for senior citizens. Guess what? I don't run as fast as I used to. ICE involvement in our city is not safe for my grandsons. I babysit my grandsons every week and last week he told me and with apologies to our amazing public s uh safety people in Woodbury, he said, "My three-year-old grandson said that police with black and brown uniforms are bad." last week at his daycare staff where he goes to daycare, legal citizens were dragged out of daycare in front of preschool children. So, my three-year-old grandson is scared. I did not know until recently that the Hero Center, jointly run by Cottage Grove and Woodbury, have ICE training in Cottage Grove. And it would be really nice if uh the ice training at the Hero Center should be more transparent. What does this mean? How much money do we get? How much money do we participate in? What actually happens? It would be nice to know. I believe that the city of Woodbury should support the Minnesota state lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. [applause] I believe I believe that the city of Woodbury should support what Washington County Board of Commissioners is doing to oppose ICE in the county. [applause] I love my city of Woodbury. I do not want ice in Woodbury. K. Hendrickson,

Woodbury resident. [cheering] [applause]

Ellie [cheering] Anderson. Is Ellie Anderson still wanting to speak? And then Ross Chavez. And then Emma, is it Kusky? Maybe Busky. I'm sorry I'm not reading your handwriting very well, but just be Hi. Um, I'm Ellie Anderson, also a Woodbury resident, and I'm a newer resident. So, one of the things about Woodbury, even your website, welcome to Woodbury. When we moved here, we were invited to the new resident celebration at the M Health um, sports center. Hockey rink is what I think of. Um, and there's the Wood One Woodbury Festival. There's parks and there's bike paths and there's so many things that say welcome. Everything exudes welcome to Woodbury. I'm so happy to hear that the information about the Hudson Road has been handled for now. But um I think that there's nothing that says you're not welcome. Masked men with weapons in unmarked vehicles. Um so I'm asking you to continue to keep ICE out of Woodbury, keep the detention center out of Woodbury. Let's move the um people out of Woodbury. Thank you. [applause] Ross and Emma and then Kevin, is it Doler Dollar will be up in a minute, too.

Good evening, council members. Mayor, city staff. It's good to see you all again. Uh, my name is Ross Chavez, resident of of Woodbury. Thank you for this time. Um, I wrote something, but I think this is a time for testimony. um testimonials because we've we've heard the news, we've heard your positions, which we're very grateful for, but I think you need to hear the resident's story. Um I don't think my story is necessarily unique, but it is mine, and it goes into um why I'm here in Woodbury. Uh my family [clears throat] chose to move here to Woodbury. You've heard it for the schools, for the community, for the sense of belonging, for the opportunity to be involved. I've served my community as a paramedic firefighter. I continue to work in the community in the capacity of healthcare which I'm extremely proud of. I almost left public safety after George Floyd was murdered because it was very difficult to be bipac to have a Latino surname Chavez and continue to work in that field. I was embraced by my peers by the city. We've done a ton of work for DEI and inclusion and for us to be talking about this again and facing this is extremely disheartening. I can't believe that we're here again after all this work. And I think that we need to realize what we're up against. We're up against an adversary who is drawing out who is removing all stops. They're playing by different rules. We need to think three steps ahead and be prepared. I can't believe I'm referencing if you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. It's much more sinister than a glass of milk. And my family, we're in particular danger. My neighbor, community members have been snatched up by ICE, have been deported. Were they criminals? No. They were loving family members working

towards the American dream, supporting their kids. And now I have to tell my children why their friend's father is no longer here. Now my children are afraid of the police. Why can't they talk to who we've always told them are the helpers? My wife and I, she is a naturalized citizen. I'm second generation Mexican-American. We now carry our passports for fear that we may be ripped out of our cars and away from our children. [snorts] My kids were here with me tonight and they had to go home. But I wanted them to see democracy in action because we go to the I bring them to the voting polls every time we vote. They know you. They know you by faces and names. Who are we voting for? This is who we're voting for and this is why. Because they're going to protect us. They're going to keep us safe. They're going to keep our community safe. I implore you to please hold up your end of the bargain so that I can protect my family. Thank you. [applause] [applause] My name's Emma Casky. I live in Woodbury. And to be honest, I don't have anything written down on a piece of paper. I'm only 17. And I'm here because my school has ICE. I've elementary school kids and riding their buses get followed. I have seen my friends scared to go outside. people I grew up with, that I went to kindergarten with, these brave, amazing people. I stand here because I want to use my

voice because they can't. Because my generation is scared, because we are too young to voice what we believe. That we are brave. And I hope that maybe one day we will be in peace again. [applause] [cheering] Patty Blair, Patty Blair, Ryan Ecklund, and then Tim Wagner. Um,

uh, my name is Kevin Dolder. I'm a Woodbury resident. Uh, I also come here as a stranger in this land, but um, unlike some of the people here, I don't have to, uh, carry the passport in my pocket in order to ensure my safety in this community. Um, a lot of concerned residents and myself came together to form the Woodberry, uh, Defense Coalition. Um, [applause]

uh of the members of the council that joined the you know our concern community is so concerned about their safety and their biggest concerns were are uh it's not inclusive to protests in Woodbury because we don't want to disturb our residents and the uh hotel owners here and uh policing the language of the people in our group uh saying that Gestapo was inappropriate for what we're seeing today. Um I just don't think that that's appropriate here today. Uh I I think like everybody else has said, this is not a black back to blue issue. Um this is not a uh a local policing issue. Um but we made the group because the community doesn't feel backed by the blue. Uh my son, who is also a 5-year-old, is basically saying, "Why don't we call the police on him? Why don't we do that?" And I can't understand a good thing to tell him why. Um other than what, we live under a king now. I mean, come on. Um what we're facing in Woodbury right now and what we're what we're uh viewing and just like living besides is ethnic cleansing. And if you don't believe me, try to go to one of the ethnic restaurants in our town and tell me why they're closed. And uh you know, if you wonder why [applause] if you Thank you. If you wonder why they picked Woodbury, why are they in all their restaurants, why are they in all of our hotels, it's because of compliance. It's because of our uh willingness to sit back and be quiet and not allow the town to voice their uh concerns. So, what I propose is that we allow in the city of the Woodbury to actually protest and be loud. We're not allowed to use instruments. We're not allowed to voice ourselves. We're not allowed to use whistles. If we use whistles while we're trying to alert members of the uh uh ICE activity, then basically we could be stopped by our own police for doing that, for disturbing the peace. That's all I want to say today. So, um, last thing, I [applause] I brought this battle flag because not only are we a

nation in distress, but we are a town in distress directly in our neighborhood. Thank you, [cheering] Patty Blair. Patty Blair is up next. I don't know if she's still here and wants to still speak. If she's downstairs and making her way up, we'll go to the next one. Ryan Ecklund is next. I'll slide Patty in if she should arise. Gentlemen waiting to is he and then Tim and then Cheryl Fong then would be after Tim.

Good evening everyone. Uh I'm really excited to speak tonight and I'm really encouraged that everyone is here. Thank you for the opportunity. My name is Ryan Ecklland. I'm a Woodbury resident. Have been for 10 years. A lifelong resident of the East Metro. Grew up in Oakdale. Loved it so much I moved one whole exit down. Uh, I want to speak firsthand about my experience. On Monday the 12th, uh, I took my seventh grader to school, returned home, uh, from Stillwater where he goes to school and was headed to the grocery store where I encountered an ICE vehicle in the Cub parking lot in Tamarak Village. U, something within me wanted to do something. I think so many of our community members feel anxious and paralyzed at the same time. wanting to do something but not knowing what to do and also wanting to be safe while keeping in mind their responsibilities to their family and loved ones. Uh what I did is what I know is constitutionally correct, which is grab my phone and record that ICE vehicle. Um, I'll skip to the end where uh an additional ICE vehicle began uh uh came into the mix approximately 8 minutes after following them and being warned by ICE agents that what I was doing was wrong and not legal, which I immediately replied, "It very much was legal." Um, I was uh boxed in with these two ICE vehicles on the corner of Parkside Drive and Radio at approximately 9:45, at which point five ICE agents opened my door. Another one reached into the back seat, climbed in with a chokeold over the armrest, clicked my seat belt, and removed me from my vehicle and put me to the ground. You can see the scratches on my face right now. I was uh quickly handcuffed and put into a unmarked white van and whisked away to the uh ever famous Whipple detention center. Um I

was released later that evening without charge. Uh I was uh I made it very clear to them that I was a US citizen and that they were detaining unlawfully a US citizen. Um by the end of that evening, there were eight other US citizens in the one cell that I was in. Again, all of them US citizens unlawfully detained. What I see happening in our community is anxiety and fear. And I think everyone here shares that sentiment.

I just want to say that it is our responsibility to protect our community. And that responsibility is one that is uh the responsibility of those in charge. So, I encourage you to do what you can. I encourage you to listen to the other community members tonight. Uh, our children are scared to go to school. My children are worried that their friends in their neighborhood will be removed from their homes. Uh, it's an incredibly alarming thing. I stand here not as a victim, but as somebody who knows my rights, which is why I wasn't arrested or detained or charged with any crime. Uh, I'll leave it with this. Those who are in authority have a lot of responsibility because of that authority. And along with that authority comes accountability and only people who are scared of accountability need to wear masks in our community.

Thank you. [cheering] [screaming] [applause]

Tim, Cheryl, and then um uh Andrea Hob. My name is Tim Wagner. I'm a resident of Woodbury. Um the the courage from Ryan Ecklund um I I think needs to be recognized. The courage of people who are willing to make the to be observers and to to to watch what is happening to to citizens and to our the members of our community. Um I think they should uh they earn our thanks and our praise. Um [applause] there's in addition to this room I just want everybody to understand downstairs there's a room it's full I I think the limit on the room is 110 it's beyond that there's a conference room there's 40 people in there the hallway downstairs is completely full. I just didn't want anybody to think that just this place was full. Um and I'm sorry I'm jumping around. Two things. Um it's great news. I appreciate everything you guys did to make sure that there's not an ice facility here in Woodbury. [snorts] Um, I would encourage you, this isn't enough. Um, plan ahead, be proactive. Um, they're going to come back. This isn't the end of it. Have a plan. Um, that's number one. Number two is, and you've heard it from other community members, get ice out of Woodbury, PLEASE. [cheering] You've heard from a citizen who was I unlawfully detained doesn't begin to describe what happened to him. It's an atrocity in this country that a United States citizen is dragged from their car by an occupying force that has no authority in this place at all [applause] and they're allowed to do it. I hear reports that when we when residents call police call police around the the metropolitan area and they tell

them that ICE is involved that the police ignore it. I don't know if that's happening here or not, but I would encourage you guys to have a plan and to let the police force here know that they're here to protect us. You guys are here to protect us. [applause] There are reports tonight of another ICE involved shooting in North Minneapolis. Yes. Um it that is going to happen here if we allow this to continue. How many dead people is it going to take for our our representatives at the local level, at the state level? God knows we're not going to get it at the federal level, at the presidential level, but enough is enough. Yes.

They need to be out of here. We need to be allowed to tell them to get out of here. And again, I apologize. It's kind of stream of consciousness, but hopefully you get the point. Thanks for the time. [applause] [applause]

Chris Halbrook could get in the queue. Hello, my name is Cheryl Thong. I'm a 25-y year member uh resident rather of Woodbury. Thank you for letting me speak. Uh I was [sighs and gasps] literally nauseous all day today thinking of this council meeting happening and and potentially discussing this very issue. So I was relieved as everyone um that this sale is not going through. I also agree with uh our previous speakers who say take care. This is not the end. Um I am a archavist curator and so my first task is to look at what's on the shelves. So in 1933 there were hundreds of detention centers in the chaotic early years of the new regime. They evolved. They grew as the camp system matured. Transit camps, women's camps, men's camps, work camps, and finally death camps. But they all engaged in torture. Woodbury cannot add this distinction to our record. It is a title we would never shed. An ICE detention center will impact us economically, psychologically, and destroy the investment we've all made in the community. So go to your library, go to inter library loan mitex, and educate yourselves on what

detention centers turn into. Thank you, [applause]

Andrea. Andrea's up. And then Chris Halbrook. And then Tim Horton. I'm Andrea Hobley from Woodbury. I'm speaking tonight as the president of the League of Women Voters of the Woodbury Cottage Grove area. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Um, I'm reading tonight from a letter that was previously sent to all of you. Um, our league is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening democracy through informed civic participation, transparency, and the protection of fundamental democratic principles. We understand that the city has not had any direct contact with ICE and that rumors have dissipated about the specific location. Nonetheless, because decisions at the federal level can move rapidly without local initiation or involvement from local communities, we believe it is important to clearly state our concerns and values. Now, first of all, we thank Mayor Bert for your statement from last week. We also strongly value transparency and we thank all of you for this commitment. Second, we oppose ICE deployment in our community. Our state and national leagues, which we're also a part of, have issued a joint statement that I'm going to read part of. Minnesota's immigrant communities are integral to the economic strength, social fabric, and cultural vibrancy of our state. Federal actions that create fear, fracture families, and erode trust in local institutions are unacceptable and fundamentally at odds with the values that sustain a healthy and functioning democracy. We stand unwaveringly with immigrants, refugees, and all members of our community who deserve safety, dignity, and equal treatment under the law. We

believe in the rule of law, due process, and that fair administration of justice must be upheld for every person. We call on local, state, and national leaders to prioritize policies that safeguard civil liberties, strengthen community trust, and ensure that every motan, regardless of immigration status, can live, work, and participate fully in our democracy without fear. Third, we believe these same principles, safety, dignity, rule of law, due process, and fair administration of justice are significantly at risk in our community if an ICE facility becomes reality. Reports have shown physical and sexual abuse, medical neglect, intimidation, unsanitary conditions, and other violations of law in immigration detention facilities. And in our letter, we have cited several examples of these. In conclusion, we strongly support the city's commitment to transparency and are thankful for that uh and to keeping the community informed as the issue continues to develop. Woodbury is a safe and welcoming community and we believe that practices which undermine safety, dignity, due process, and community trust do not belong here or anywhere. [applause]

Yep. Chris, [applause] Chris Hullbrook, Tim Horton, and then Christa Stalker.

Hi, my name is Chris Hullbrook, resident of Woodbury. I live over on Boulder Ridge, right over this pond that I can't pronounce, Walderman or something. Uh, my wife and I lived in the St. Paul Midway for 20 years. We moved out here in 2020 after all of the events that we went through there um in our neighborhood having armored vehicles, Blackhawk helicopters, fires, vandalism. We moved out here 5 years ago and we absolutely love it. And I just want to thank this community and thank you as our leaders for standing strong. I vehemently oppose even the notion of an ICE detention facility here. The chaos, the danger it brings is something that's traumatic to a lot of people who've lived through a lot of experiences. So many great stories have come through already. As a lifelong independent, I'm not here to make political points. But I also want to echo the need to be proactive. Um, this is not going to stop and we need to be prepared. We need to stay strong and I urge everyone who's watching and attending to be vocal and don't let um don't let this incursion upon our lives, liberties, and happiness uh take take that from us. So, and lastly, I want to thank the police and the the EMTs of Woodbury. They've all they've been fantastic in the experiences I've had with them and in no way, shape or form are they to be maligned as what these uh unconstitutional unlawful agents that that uh Chrissy Noma is sending in are doing. So that's my statement. [applause] Tim Horton and then Christa Stalker and then Will Ty piece the room. [cough and clears throat] Good evening. My name is Tim Horton. I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner here in Woodbury, Minnesota. I created and own

People First Clinic here in Woodbury, a business that I am deeply proud of where I treat children and adolescence and lead a team of that serve families in our community every day. All of your children. I'm standing here shaken by what I'm seeing today. Right now, I'm treating adults who witnessed the recent shooting in Minneapolis. I'm treating children who are deeply traumatized. Children witnessing people being pulled out of their car. [snorts] They're having acute nightmares. And I'm treating them with medicine because of how sick they are. Children who know that their friends, families, and grandparents are gone. And they are afraid that the same thing will happen to them. These are American citizens. Every single one of them. The fear is not abstract. It is not political. It is living in children's nervous systems every single day. It's [snorts] sleep loss. It's panic and constant hypervigilance. I am sitting with parents trying to help them explain the unexplainable reality that we have to convince their children that they're safe. As a clinician, I know this. When children do not feel safe, their brains stay in survival mode. Learning stops, healing stops. The effects can last a lifetime. As a parent raising a child here and as a mental health provider, Woodbrain needs to do more. [snorts] Neutrality tells frightened children that no one is standing between them and harm, and that is every one of your responsibility. Woodbury needs to stand up loudly enough that [snorts] it is felt. Woodbury needs to draw a line that makes people pause, that makes them hesitate, because hate is not welcome here. Thank you, [applause] [cheering] Christa, Bill Ty, and then Marty Borchart. Is

that how I say? Thank you. My name is Christa Stalker and I've lived in Woodbury for over 20 years. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment and I want to also thank everybody else who has provided comment tonight. Mayor Bert indicated that the property located at 11435 Hudson Road would not be sold or leased for use as an ICE facility, which is great news. However, Woodbury must continue to oppose any ICE facility within our within our city. ICE agents are using unlawful and abusive tactics and we want ICE out of Woodbury. They do not belong here. [applause]

Thank you. Bill Ty [applause] Marty will be up next and then Carrie Bwick. Hi, William Ty. Uh Woodbury, Minnesota. I live in the seasons development. Um, I'm not a good public speaker, so I'll try my best. We must take immediate action to stop ICE operations in our state and in our city. Citizens are being snatched off the streets, beaten, and whisked away. This is a federal invasion of Minnesota by Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Christy Gnome. This is unacceptable, and it must stop.

They're breaching the rights of the constitutional rights of citizens and non-citizens alike. This invasion is fueled by lies of extensive fraud. It is fueled by racism against our Somali neighbors. It is fueled by the eyeire of a president who insists that he has won Minnesota three times in some magical alternate reality.

Convicted felon Donald Trump hates Governor Walls. He hates Representative Omar. He hates immigrants and he hates us. This is a hostile attack on Minnesota designed to sow fear and chaos and to punish us. Punish us for our diversity, punish us for our progress, punish us for our innovation, and punish us for being better. WE MUST [applause] [applause] pursue every possibility, no matter how small, to push back. If there is any mechanism of non-compliance or resistance that can be employed against Trump and ICE, it must be explored, activated, and employed. [snorts and clears throat] On a personal level, one of my friends is now hosting one of his Mexican friends because they are too afraid to be alone right now. And in the seasons in my neighborhood, we have people, our neighbors, who are afraid to leave their homes and who carry their passports wherever they go now, including in a backpack of a child. [snorts] We must [clears throat] take a stand against the enemy administration. We are being made an example of for the nation. What's happening here is a prototype for federal invasions elsewhere. Let's set an example for other states to follow and other cities to follow and hit back in ways that send Trump, Vance, Gnome, and the rest of the bullies scurrying back into the swamps and cesputs from which they came. Thank you, [applause]

Marty. So, Marty Borchart, Carrie Bowwick, and then um Roshio Fona, if I'm saying that right, I apologize.

Hi, Marty Borart, president of Woodbury. Um, I'm not much of a speaker, but uh I'm glad to hear the news that you told us earlier today. And uh one thing about using warehouses, warehouses are designed to store supplies, products, not people. And um all I can say is I let ice melt away. Thank you, [cheering] [applause]

Carrie. Carrie Bowwick. Carrie Bwick. Ap uh uh Rockio Roachio and again if anybody comes up from downstairs I'm making note who doesn't show up. Joe uh Gstier Dier Gstier. Yep. Joe is this woman. Are you up? Did I call your name? I am Rosio. Rosio. Thank you. Come on in. I apologize. So Carrie no Rosio and then Joe and then Barbara Whittington and then Barb ProPop.

Hello. Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Rosio Fona. Sorry. I am um I am a a Woodbury citizen um resident um since 2007. I am an immigrant and I am scared like not just me but a lot of my friends um we are living in fear. Um I came out to this uh meeting with with fear. I was not sure about what I was going to see and if there were people outside from ICE that will be against us. But I am feeling that this community it's strong. We are strong. [applause and cheering]

I came to this uh country in 2007 um with the strong belief that I was going to build my family here. My children came with me. They are in this society. We are immigrant. We we brought our diversity. I as as well as all the immigrants, we work hard. We believe in the humanity and the values of this country. This is why we are here. Um I think that um when I see what is happening today, I feel that sometimes it's like to come back to the time in my country where I was living in a a dictator situation and I don't like this. I think that we have an opportunity. We need to we cannot be silent. Silence is against uh all that is happening today. Um, I am here because I I believe that I will not continue accepting what is happening and I I will believe in you. You are my representative. You are the ones I vote for you and I need you your voice. I need you to represent our community today more than ever because [cheering and applause] So, thank you. Thank you everybody. [applause]

Joe, did Joe come up? Joe, Barbara Whittington and then also Barb uh ProP um and then Ann Lee or Ava Lee, sorry, just Hi, Barbara Whittington. I've lived in Woodbury for 27 years or so. Um, thank you for for being here tonight. I understand that the Hudson Road Woodbury property is no longer being targeted for use as an ICE detention facility. I I understand there's verbal confirmation. We want to also see the written confirmation. [applause]

Um, [cheering] also, you know, I I see our elected leaders here. Um, obviously state of Minnesota. Um, I I really want to make a point that I'm tired of words and lawsuits. Okay, folks. We got to take action. We've got to take action. Anybody who is in a position of leadership, it's great that you've got the words coming out to support, but action is what we need from everybody at all levels of government. Please, that's what we need.

Um, this will happen again in Woodbury. We know, we've heard the stories. Um, just because it's private property doesn't absolve us from disputing the indecencies and lawbreaking activities that happen within that private property. So, let's let's keep that in mind, too. Um, we want I want I I need city government to be transparent and immediate about communications, please, because this was a widely known piece of information, right? Um, further too, to address human rights and constitutional violations, we know that there will be many more ICE raids throughout this city through racial profiling. Our friends, family, and neighbors have been terrorized, slammed around, yanked out of cars, teargassed, dismissed all human rights and human dignity by rounding up masses of people and literally throwing them into these detention centers. Eyewitness testimony and interviews conducted with survivors are coming from our citizens, by the way, because they're the only ones that make it out to talk about this, right? [applause]

Um, their experiences of the horrific conditions in which people have been penned up with dozens of others into tiny spaces without drinking water, without the use of toilet facilities. Think of what our immigrant neighbors and friends are going through right now in these places. They're holding they are concentration camps. They're holding people in these facilities and then they're moving them from place to place until they finally kick them out of the country or how long are they there?

Folks, we can't we cannot allow this any longer. Please. um just from the this tiny little microcosm of Woodbury which is so small in the whole grand scheme of things. We have to know what is your action plan here. Our elected officials, what is your action plan? Action plan, not words, not lawsuits. We got to we got to do how many people have been abducted from Woodbury Streets? I haven't. Does anybody know? I mean, that's that's a really important fact that we really should be verbalizing and communicating. How many abductions have there been so far? And what will you as city leaders do to help protect our residents? Um the elections are coming up, the precincts are coming up. We're going to decide

um at at the voting booth. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

Ava Lee after Barbara and then um Reverend and uh Andrea an Anastas George and then George and then Aiden. So there's a few more.

This will be short. Previous Barb said a lot of stuff I was thinking of. My name is Barb Pro. I'm a resident of Woodbury 42 years. My my impetus for signing a form was really a question. I understand you're not taking them. So I'm going try to put this not in a question form. Um I don't know a lot about law. They seem to be broken anyway. But my concern is about eminent domain and any force like our very first speaker came saying we have to be ready. So as you communicate with us, if you can also help educate us. I think we need that. That's a big fear that's out there and I look forward to hearing about how we can stay updated. So, we'll be looking to the website and to feedback from you. Thank you, [applause] Ava Lee. [applause] Ava Lee. Hello, honorable people. Law enforcement officers, we love you.

My name is Ava. If I turn my back, can you still hear me? Well, the m you need the your voice needs to be get projected through that microphone. And it I don't I don't know if it moves. So, I have I have a recorded message and I'm not I'm not going to say it that way. Um, so I am the executive director of the Frederick Douglas Project and I am currently helping folks that are being detained. [applause] They want me to stick this in my face. The camera. Yeah, the If you just come around the other way. Yeah. The camera. Sorry. I just don't like to have my back to people. No offense. No. Um, so

when I heard and I have spoken to Representative who's awesome. Um, and then also Kim Wilson. I've spoken to her as well. Um, and they hear me. They really hear me. So, thank you so much. your blessing. So, here's the situation. The reason I came today, I am a Stillwater resident, but I do spend most of my money here, so that should count. Um, but the reason I'm here today is because um I had one of my example of a person that was uh detained was um M Vietnamese. Okay? And I love the monk. and um they took her and um because ICE does not have a long-term facility here in the state of Minnesota um and they're here and they're doing it whether we like it or not they're here and they're doing it. um she was sent to El Paso and because there is no facility here and I understand that you don't want the facility here and I understand why and I heard that from this wonderful gentleman why and in the standards of the place and everything else but if we don't have anything here they get sent away I would it's very hard for me to

it's very hard for me just Hear me out, guys. Please. It's very hard for me to tell a family member that their family member has been taken to another state. I have to get them a lawyer in another state. I have to get them translators in another state. So, I know that you don't like ICE. I get it. And they're doing some stuff we don't like. I get it. But think about the families that are being ripped apart from their families. At least when they're being ripped apart, they can go visit them. There's lawyers that they know. All I'm saying is guys, this is happening whether we like it or not. Let's keep the families as close to each other as possible. Okay. Thank you so much. Um, so it's Ava with Frederick Douglas Project,

Reverend uh And [applause] is it Andrea or Andrea Anestos? And then George Anestos and then Aiden Danbury. If not, let's name is Aiden. Aiden's here. And again, I'm making notes of any other names. Um, are we done with wood berries? Yes. Like, well, there's a few that was hard to and then these got to us after. So, yes.

Thank you for letting me speak. My name is Aiden Danbury. I live in St. Paul, but my roots are here in Woodbury. I graduated from Woodbury High School, which I could not have done without the support of this community, as well as the safety this city has provided me with. Unfortunately, Woodbury has become a safe haven for ICE agents. These agents are untrained and unvetted, and no matter what the federal government says, Rene Renee Good was unjustly shot and killed by these goons. [applause] Additionally, I have seen footage of ICE infringing upon the majority of our amendments, the first, second, fourth, fifth, and eighth amendments of our country. I have seen footage of an ICE agent walking into a portaotty with a detainee. And unlike our local police, they hide their shame behind their masks. And those masks could give criminal opportunists a blanket check to check check to kidnap anybody they want.

Personally, I have witnessed mass masked men kidnap my neighbor, a mother of a young girl who is on her way to the bus stop across the street. It is unconscionable that these perpetrators may be staying in my hometown. It is clear that Woodbury is no longer a safe place it once was. Local businesses are closing their doors and many residents regardless of citizenship now live in a state of terror. I now I understand that the city council does not have the authority nor ability to fully amend the chaos that is happening. I would like to form from the decision to in rejecting the possibility of an ICE detention facility in our neighborhood. But I would also like to ask how might we as a community ensure that the federal government stop infringing on the rights and safety of our people.

[applause] I don't know about that. Four left. Okay, there's four left. There's technically four left. Okay, so we have four left. Um I was going to be pretty firm on my time. It's 8:53. We're going to 8:55. We'll listen to these four and then we will conclude the open forum. I think it says Nathan Bon. I think that right. I would say Nathan, right? Does that look like a Nathan? I don't know what that is. Or Nolan. Nolan maybe. Sorry. B O E N I N G if not Leslie Labone Labbor. And then what are the other two names?

And then Sharon Parker and then Aaron uh show Chu. So if any of those people are present, my name wasn't called when I I signed up. Patty Blair. Oh, it was. Oh, sorry. A while ago. Sorry. It was larger here. You are here. I do have you. If you go ahead to come forward,

thank you for speaking up.

Thank you. Um, hi, my name is Patty Blair. I'm a resident of Woodbury. I'm a US citizen, a Native Hawaiian, Korean-American, and Chinese American. I'm the mother of two two grown sons, and one who serves proudly as a captain in the US Space Force. I'm here as a member of Aftton Indivisible, St. Croy Valley Indivisible, and Woodbury Defense Coalition. I'm here to speak for my family, neighbors, and to stand up for those who live in fear and cannot be here to voice their concerns. I'm adam adamantly opposed against any detention facility here um run by ICE in in Woodbury and Washington County and in the state. Um I am just um I I just can't stand the human rights violations that are happening in these uh facilities. I won't go through all the details other people have so eloquently talked about. Um, but I feel that by allowing a nice facility here in Woodbury, it'll be complicit for us um in the abuses that will and sh sanctions that would happen. Um, I recommend that the city begin right now the determination of what type of zoning requirements might be required. Um, any other city permissions that would be required for a facility like this to build be built or leased in Woodbury and commit to enforcing them. I recommend [applause] I recommend to the city and county commit to holding a public hearing prior to giving any permission or approvals for an ICE facility to be built or leased. I would also like to hear and see the Woodbury Police Department's stance on protecting our citizens against ICE constitutional uh violations regardless of immigration status. [applause and cheering] I I implore the help of the city of

Woodbury and Woodbury police. Thank you so much for your service. Um I implore that you protect the human rights of our community for IC from our ICE um agents who have flooded the city. We're living in they are living in our backyards. I mean they're living half a half a mile from me. Um and we are living in fear. I live in fear every day. And I never thought, you know, I as a US citizen, you know, my my dad, my uncles, you know, many of my relatives serving in World War II, Vietnam, Korea, you know, my son is currently serving and this is just horrendous that's happening, what's happening to our country. Um, we can't continue to live in this fear we're enduring right now. We appreciate your help and the opportunity for me to speak today. Thank you. [applause] SO, WE HAD CALLED another few names. Perfect.

Y had run upstairs. Sorry. [laughter] Um, I vehemently oppose having this ice detention center in Woodbury. May I have you? Sorry. Real quick, sharing. Sorry. Can you just real quick would you just please for your record we got to do this for everybody state your name and city of residence for your recorder

I've lived in the city of Woodbury for the last 25 and a half years um [sighs] [snorts] I vehemently oppose this detention center. I've been so upset since I've heard about it. Um, I know you think you've been resolving this issue, but I as a real estate attorney in another life, I just I'm looking at the business aspects of this. You said you hadn't been notified of the sale. Do they have to notify you? What kind of notification is required under in the city of Woodberry? Do we have to accept a lease or a sale of the whatever property if they're going to keep doing this? I mean this is zoned as a commercial warehouse is like it's not zoned for people a place for storing people for becoming a [sighs] a prison. How do we know the parties you are talking to are not covered by confidential non-disclosure agreement and can't tell the truth? Also putting aside the moral implications of having this here is there maybe to convince people who think oh this is a good idea think of the financial ramifications when it this building becomes a federal building according to care 11 it is tax exempt and for this property you would lose 700,00070,000 in taxes and That doesn't even include the cost of wood to Woodbury of having more police and other services to support this location. They've spent since Renee Good's death $2 million in the city of Minneapolis and the state.

[snorts] [sighs] If this comes to fruition anyway, are they going to set up a trust or an escrow for maybe $10 million to cover extra police costs going forward? I, you know, this government has lied to our face. Not you, the federal government, the people who are in charge. [gasps] I want for you to fight for us. Fight for [applause] for the city of Woodbury. We do not want to hear it. Thank you. [applause]

Is there someone Did you have a green sheet in and your name was called? Nathan. Okay. And then is Aaron. Okay. And is that I think that All right. Nathan again name and city of Leslie.

Yes. Nathan Boning. Uh city of Woodbury. a father of three. So, [clears throat] just like other people have said before, um I don't typically come to these types of types of meetings. Um but the way that my family members and my friends are feeling um scared to go out in public. Um I have friends and family that immigrated here. It took 13 years to become US citizens and now they're afraid to go shopping, to go see friends and family members because of how other people have been treated. um by this administration. It just it's very upsetting and I don't I don't want to have to go to a party or go hang out with friends or go to a friend's house and have someone ask me, "Do I need my enhanced ID or do I need my passport to go out to the grocery store?" That shouldn't be something that a US citizen should feel obligated to ever ask. [sighs] Like I said, I have three kids. 8-year-old, that's the oldest, and just try to communicate with with him about these issues that are going on. And all he can really say is, you know, they're rude. Why would why would people ever treat people like that? So, um, just thankful that it's not going to be happening in Woodbury, but also want to block it, you know, everyone else as well. So, uh, thanks for hearing me. [applause] This is my emotional support friend. [laughter] My name is Aaron Shane and I've lived in Woodbury for 13 years. I'm also a social worker in the community. Um, and public speaking is not for me, but this is important. [clears throat] The current administration is practicing in an unlawful and unconstitutional manner. They are taking people off the streets without cause and without care. ICE is not allowed legally to perform traffic stops without at least reasonable cause. Yet, they are not only

doing that, but using violence against anyone who they deem unworthy. Their actions are inhumane and intolerant, and we do not want a detention center that would symbolize this intolerance in our city. I have family members and good friends and incredible co-workers that are naturalized citizens and they are so afraid not only for their own illegal deportation or placement in one of these detention centers but for their children. It does not feel like we live in a democracy at this time. It's instead it feels like we are in a literal war zone and adding a detention center to that here in Woodbury, my home, is unacceptable to me. I work with many immigrant families, both first, second, and third generations, that regardless of their immigration status, and many are here legally, are frightened to leave their homes to get basic needs such as food due to the current ICE uh operations unchecked violence. Supporting an ICE detention center in Woodbury goes against every fiber in my being, and ICE needs to leave our city and our state. [applause] final one. That's it.

Yeah. And our final looks like our final speaker.

Oh, okay. Um, thank you. I didn't plan to be here. My daughter encouraged me to come and I'm so glad she did. Leslie Leau, Woodbury, 30 years in Woodbury. Um, watching World War II movies, I just couldn't understand how the Germans allowed the Holocaust to happen. And I vowed I would never be one of those people. But I can see it starts with compliance and requests to be silent and be a good citizens. We that we can allow that to happen. So after hearing everybody, I'm asking if we can elect a safety zar to protect us from ICE in Woodbury. I think this safety zar would show solidarity and also make a statement. In addition, we need to include businesses. 3M where half this community comes from needs to be involved as do other businesses. I think we need to solidify it and I'm asking for your support on that. Thank you. [applause] [applause]

Um I just want to say just a few things. First of all, I'm so impressed. Thank you for respecting the time. Everyone did three minutes and you made your points and it was wonderful. I was just so glad to have you all here to hear from you. Uh our other elected officials to hear from you. It's very important. So thank you for that. Um in terms of somebody said how to get more information stay updated on our website, our social media channels. I also want to share that um as we've said, we've been in conversation again with our state legislators, with our county. Um I also had personal phone calls this week with Senator Amy Clolobashar and Representative Angie Craig. very pleased for their participation and involvement and their knowledge about what's happening here. In addition, um Representative Congresswoman Betty McCullum um her office has been very involved as well has forwarded a letter to um to Christine Gnome and others um on this whole topic. So, um again trying to work together in collaboration with all these other government agencies and just want to let you know that's some of the work we're doing. Um, I do want to just open this up to council members now for any comments you'd like to share after hearing and reflecting. Um, Eric, if you have anything else you want to say, if any need to clarify anything regarding the the information we learned today, uh, and city administrator D, if you have anything you'd like to add. Um, and of course, um, um, Council Member Wilson as well, who's still on the screen. So, I I'll turn to Mayor Promp first. Um, Jensen, if you'd like to say any words.

Just very very briefly. um which I will say the same thing. Very the courage that all of you took I I'm not even comfortable sometimes speaking to a group like this. So um just know that that is more impactful than than you probably understand. Um I I do feel the struggle about um how to navigate out of this current status quo. I am normally the optimist up here um that everybody knows. Um we are working outside the legal norms. Um so it is really difficult um to figure out what those next steps are. Um and obviously what we have witnessed has been very troubling. Um Mr. Ecklund is the one that's headed about knowing your rights and I that is something I really want you all to be armed with. Um I think for me what worries is that what the actions that are occurring are occurring in full public view as well as them aware that people are being armed with cameras. So what scares me is if those cameras were not on um and what would possibly be transpiring. So um and if no one was watching um I do believe that change is driven by people. So I urge you to continue raising these voices. Um I you obviously have us here. You have your state representatives. I know that the county is also very passionate and it it is and is listening. Um but it is really important also to go beyond to the people that have some of the that federal authority. Um, and obviously we do have an election that is coming up in November. So, um, I know that we are committed to restoring safety, trust, and dignity in our community. Um, not only for our residents, but also our visitors. So,

thank you, Council Member Morris. I [snorts] usually have something funny to say, but tonight is not that night. No.

Um, and so I I want to just thank you, Mayor, for for your leadership in the last since the rumors. Um, we've tried to chase these rumors down and that's really where this was started with a report and we had no reports. We and staff has done a very very diligent job and I appreciate all that staff has done uh staff that's here tonight in front of you and staff that's behind the scenes that has worked hard to confirm this information, confirm what we can confirm and then as fast as humanly possible get that out to the public because you deserve to know what's going on. This council has a history of and we will continue to have a history of making sure that all of the state and local processes for developments or whatever it may building or whatever it may be are followed. And that's our expectation is that the public this is done in full public view and that we hold public hearings and the public has a right to weigh in on things and that that remains steadfast. Um, I will I will say this too to all the people that talked that spoke here tonight, to the maximum overflow rooms downstairs, the extra folks, the folks that are standing in the hallways, the folks that are watching online, and the folks that will watch this later. Take a look around at you. Look around at the folks that not just spoke tonight, but the the folks that are sitting next to you, that are standing next to you, that you're seeing and speaking with. The community is supporting you. The community is supporting each other. And this gives me hope. Uh many in our community are absolutely terrified and I understand that and I get that and I see that. But look around. You're not alone. This community takes care of each other and this is this standing room only um at city hall and every nook and cranny here is evidence of that. And for that I thank the city of Woodbury in our community. Thank you for being here tonight and thank you for using your voice. [applause] Thank you for giving me applause and not Jen. I appreciate that. Yeah. No, the the the last thing and and Council Member Santini said this as well, and I'll finish with this.

Continue to use your voice. Continue, and I've said this in the folks that I've spoken with, continue to show up. Continue to use your voice. Continue to be present because whether or not we think that we that's how change happens. And whether or not we can see it, um being seen is part of that change. And we are here as a city council to help you be that change. We may not have the power or authority to do everything that you want, but we are here and we will tell you the truth and we will work with you and we will help guide you and we will be standing right next and beside you and lead where we can. But but be honest with each other and that's part of our job is to be honest with you of what some of our limitations are and how we can work either around that to fix that or work with those that can. And that's what we're here for. And so we as a as a city council continue I ask and I and I know my fellow council members and the mayor continue to be seen, continue to be heard, continue to communicate because that's how change happens. [applause]

Council member Stafford,

you're a hard act to follow. I am just overwhelmed and almost brought to tears by the outpouring of community support here tonight. This is what we're all about. We want to hear from you. We do hear you. We may not be able to give you the answer that you're looking for, but know that we care. That we care. We need, as was said very often tonight, we do need to stay active. do that with I I I don't like the word protest. Do it with kind community gatherings, but we need to be heard and continue to be heard because we care about each other. I have to echo the mayor's message is that yes, I grieve with everything going on in this country right now. It's very, very difficult time, but we've been through them before. And we in our little bubble of Woodbury, we're going to make it happen because we are good, loving, caring people. Know that that I am here, that the whole council, the mayor are all here. We want to hear what you have to say. Finally, um the last couple weeks have been stressful for everybody on many levels and I want to thank and and express my deepest gratitude to our staff. They have expended hours and hours and hours of time staying on top of this situation and communicating with us so we can communicate with you. our Woodbury public safety department, they have put everything into action to make sure that if they're not working with ICE, they're working for you, to protect you. If you come up against a

situation, they're there to take care of you. So, I am grateful to be able to serve you in this city of Woodbury. Take care, my friends.

Thank you. [applause] Council member Wilson unmute. I I'm first of all, I don't get to see the entire crowd, but it's my understanding that that entire um city hall is filled with constituents um both res residents of Woodbury and outside. So, I really want to thank everybody for coming uh tonight and voicing your opinion. I still can't see everybody. Um, you know, this is a a difficult Thank you. This is a difficult um situation to be in. Um I always feel I am oddman out when it comes to um things on this council which in some instances could be good or it could be bad. every single council person that spoke tonight, I can agree with some aspect of it and I can go through the lists of of everybody who spoke tonight and say, um, you know, Rash Chavez, I understand what you're saying. Um, Rosio Gonzalez, I, you know, I hear you. I see you. Um, I appreciate our elected representatives being there tonight and voicing their um positions on this also. But you know, I have been a long supporter of um public safety, not only at the local level, but at the county level, state level, and and this will also go to the federal level. I ICE is not new. ICE has been operating for many, many years, decades, as a matter of fact, in our community also. We just haven't known

about it or seen it um until it has uh hit the news under this administration. So, ICE has a job that they need to do and that job is to Am I good? Can you hear me? No. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead, Council Member Wilson. We need to give her an opportunity to speak as well. We're here to hear everyone's voice and opinion. So, please let her let her speak.

ICE has a job that they have to uphold, too. They they have to uphold the laws that the federal government has in place, our local um government. Thank you. I first of all I want to say that I've sat here and respectfully listened to everybody that has spoken and I can't believe the um push back that is being given to a differing opinion. Um the federal laws need to be upheld. Our local law enforcement officers cannot uphold federal laws. And I'm hoping that our community is going to start coming together and keeping in mind that if we're going to be protesting restaurants and hotels that those businesses are going to suffer under your protests and your boycotting of those businesses. So, I'm hoping that we can come together as a community and show support for our local businesses before they suffer under this um planned boycott that we have going on here. And as regarding I just also want to say regarding the processes that are going on, if this if the city can do anything, it will be open and transparent. Of course, it will be. But we need to also have an understanding, a very clear understanding that the federal government is above the city. We can like it or not like it. It doesn't matter. They probably have um authority to do things that we don't have uh any control over.

Thank you, Council Member Wilson. [applause] Um I'll turn now. Um, Eric, do you I don't want to put you on the spot, but I have anything to add or any clarification regarding the news we got today. Uh, thank thank you, mayor. Uh, nothing significant to add. I I would like to uh let the residents that are in attendance, if there are additional zoning questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to staff. We're happy to assist you the best that we can. But thank you for being here this evening. Thank you. And city administrator Jeff Dah.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh just a real quick uh kind of statement about you know from a staffing perspective. You know it was great to see people here tonight. Uh we acknowledge what we heard. We acknowledge the concerns we've we've gotten in addition to the hundreds of people that are here tonight. Hundreds of emails, calls. Uh we're trying to get back to you as soon as we can, but please give us some grace. We're working on that. Can I just add also we we have gotten several just comments and we appreciate I can't promise that we're going to respond to every comment because we're hearing your voice. You're not really asking a question. You don't often want feedback. So for everyone I mean we've we hear you. We've got it all recorded but you may not be getting an individual response from everyone because oftentimes you don't even ask for it. You just want to be heard and we hear you. So I just want to clarify that it's been a lot which we appreciate.

Thank you mayor. Well said. Yeah. So from from my perspective in leading on this organization on behalf of the council, 400 plus uh people that serve the community, we really serve every 80,000 uh residents that are here. Uh we take our roles very seriously and we remain apolitical. We leave that at the door. Uh we don't care about national politics. What we care about are the people who represent the community, all the people, regardless of your political beliefs, where you fall, and regardless of where you came from. Um uh and and from that uh from that perspective regarding the insurgence of ICE in our community, just a couple quick things that were kind of alluded to tonight. Uh the mayor mentioned or I think it was council member Morris regarding uh FAQs to help people that are looking for answers whether it's the role of uh Weisetta public or Woodbury public safety. Sorry, I haven't done that one time. He just came from Weisetta just a few months ago

of all meetings. But he's lived here for 10 years. Talk about community right there.

I'm a Woodbury resident. I love this town more than anybody. Um uh but we do have FAQs uh for all community members who are fearful and want to know their rights. Go to woodbury minninnesota.gov ICE. We are also put this has had a big impact on staff as well and there's a lot of unknowns. So, we are working internally on putting together information and guidance for all of our employee me uh employer employees who are wondering what they should do and what's their role as public servants and how they can help and what's appropriate. And obviously our public safety teams who are out on the on the streets continue to balance what's going on uh uh both in Woodbury and really throughout the state with the ultimate mission of serving with compassion, integrity for everybody in our community and keeping most importantly everybody safe. I just want to uh reiterate, we've got the best staff here and we're working for all residents to make sure that they feel safe and they're getting the public services that they need. And that goes from getting the information about the detention center and ultimately regardless of what what political entity is driving it, it's a jail, it's a prison, it's a detention center, we have no desire, plans, um accommodation for that in any of our city documents. So that's easy for us to get more information and say that's not appropriate for our community. [applause]

[applause] and just and so uh you may not see all the work that goes behind the scenes, but we're working tirelessly to make sure that we're serving our residents appropriately.

Thank you. And again, thank you. Uh it was uh it's just good good to hear from you. I hope you feel heard. Uh we really appreciate it. and um it's it's been a good experience. Thank you. [applause] So, we do need to wrap up the conclusion of our meeting. We uh did have an item from consent agenda that got moved forward to discussion. We'll take that now. Uh just so you know, then we wrap up with a staff report. City administrator Dah will give us a brief report and then we adjourn. So, we have very few minutes left. It should be. So, um, with that, um, item 6A was removed from consent. Council member Wilson, I'll turn to you. Since you remove this, can please share your thoughts.

Unmuted. Okay. I'm appearing from Alabama. It was not intended that there would be this um this meeting. If I had known all of this was going to be uh going on tonight, I I would have changed my um arrangements. But regardless, 6A are the minutes from the last meeting. I uh would like to make a motion that we table this until the next meeting and I can get a more detailed um uh information on what is missing, what I believe is missing. Well, it is missing from the minutes, but what I believe is important uh to put in the minutes um to preserve the record. I can get you um uh [clears throat] the the number if you want to hear, you know, the time stamp if you want to go back and and listen to make and verify. But I'm making a motion that we table the minutes until um

the next council meeting, which I believe is when 28. Can you be a little more explicit on what the issue is, Council Member Wilson?

Sure, I can. There was this uh conversation, a statement I made at the end of the I think it was on an agenda item I pulled regarding the commission appointments. I was hoping we wouldn't have to get into it here, but that's fine. The commission appointments and I had read that statement and um there are some mis um misstatements in the minutes that were not uh necessarily said the way they're presented in the minutes. And one of them is that the um person in question received three positive votes and that is not true. They received two positive votes, two negative votes and one was indifferent. So that would be the first thing. The second thing is I was urged by council member Morris to file a lawsuit if I felt um that there was slander or um defamation. And so, um, that would be the second thing that I've those were the two things just off the quick reading of the minutes that came out on Friday that I was hoping to um get to preserve the record on those.

Mayor, that's page nine of the uh minutes, the first paragraph of like the packet of the PDF that I I Oh, no. Okay. All right. There's been a motion. Do I hear a second?

I'm not hearing a second. Do Is there a different motion? Well, I'd make a motion then that we amend the minutes to reflect that. Um, yeah, I took that as your motion, Council Member Wilson, originally. So, I'm waiting for a second. Well, no. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. What did you take as my motion then? Because I I guess I made the motion that we table this until the 28th so we could verify the record.

Okay. So to be clear, so I haven't gotten a second on that. Now you have a you have a different motion. So, if nobody's going to second that, then I would make a motion that we um go back uh city staff go back, listen to the um thing uh the uh timestamp where it starts and uh do it verbatim, then that would be the best way to do it as opposed to eliminating important facts. We've never done verbatim. We've talked about this countless times. We don't the minutes are not verbatim. The minutes are the videos are online. So

the videos are only online for 3 months. And that and that is part of the problem is that the videos are only online for 3 months. And so the the minutes often um are the only record that we have when things get carried forward for 6 months or nine months and we're still in the midst of something that's going on. So, um I think that we all have a recollection of that going on. It was a very um thorough discussion. Uh and it was uh I think I think we all have that recollection. And I'm sorry that those are somehow those comments always seem to be eliminated. But um as if we want to keep the videos up longer than 3 months then, um like other cities do, then that would be an option also. But that is something that I'm also met with resistance on. So,

I'm looking at council member Tini cuz Sentini because it looks like she's doing I'm trying to decide if I you know again I feel like we keep we come back to this a lot and I just to me it's a precedent setting that if we start doing verbatim on these things then every time that this issue comes up of wanting to include verbatim I just feel like it open you know if we have a policy that they, you know, we capture the essence. I'm trying to figure out also if the sentiments that council member Wilson is um wanting included affect the like the record. I guess that's

it doesn't and I don't I don't I I said it I remember saying that but it's also a truncated statement and so if we're going to put that I want the context of which I challenged um council member Wilson but I don't have that verbatim and I don't I do remember the essence of that but it didn't make it because it doesn't change the in there but that but that but council member I'll call the question to move on is in there so if we can call the question make somebody make a motion anyone And I'm open for any other motion. Do we have to note that? So the second motion to amend re has failed for a second. Right. Right. So there's no active motion

to call. Seconded to vote upon. So I'll second to approve. There wasn't a motion. There wasn't a motion. Would you like to make the motion? I will move to approve item 6A. Second. Thank you. Motion a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. The roll call, please. Council member Wilson. Uh, no. Council member Morris. Hi. Council member Santini. I. Council member Stafford. I. Mayor Bert. I. That consent agenda item does pass. We'll now move on to uh City Administrator Dah. Your city administrator's report.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, real quick, just want to give some props to our our staff. Um, I think a week ago, our new city newsletter uh was delivered to all the the homes in in our community. Uh, it looks great. It's clear. It's um new new uh style and it's thicker, so there's more content. Uh we've gotten great reviews from it. So, thanks to our IC team, community relations for leading that. Uh they put in a lot of work into that. Uh you saw in the city administrator's report that overall for 2026 our building permits were significantly up over the previous year. Uh you know that's good for for a lot of reasons. Um but I just want to point that out because that doesn't go without a lot of hard work from our community development department. So shout out to them. Also, it's been a very interesting year with uh snowfall or precipitation, I should say, in in this winter

and there's more to come.

There's more to come. And our public works crew, I get compliments. Normally, city administrators, that's that's what in the winter all we hear is negative uh energy, negative phone calls about plowing because you can never do it right. Uh and typically people don't actually call and say, "Hey, great job. you you did a great job putting snow in front of my driveway. Um but I get those calls. Uh so props to our uh public works crew. They do a great job and it's been a tough year and they're still uh um uh motivated and will continue to do a great job. Lastly, just want to um one more shout out to our public safety teams. There was a lot of really special and meaningful engagement that enga engagement uh events that our public safety teams held throughout the holiday season that really provided uh benefits to our community, especially those in need. So, I'm not going to go through all the the the things that they did, but they were out in the community and really given back a lot uh to those that particularly needed it this holiday season. So, thanks to them. It it it really means a lot.

That's part of their motto to serve with compassion and Yeah. Wonderful. I appreciate it. Thank you. That's all I have. Yeah. Thank you. Um Okay, that wraps up our meeting tonight. I think just to be formal, I was told everything's got to be a roll call vote. So, I make a motion that we adjourn the meeting. Second. Motion is second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. The roll call, please. Council member Morris. Hi. Council member Santini. I. Council member Stafford. I. Council member Wilson. I. Mayor Bert. I. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you everybody.