HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/02/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - JointOfficial minutes
City council and school board joint meeting
Feb. 9, 2026
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
Council members present: Jim Engelking, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Paul
Baudhuin, Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Council members absent: Daniel Bashore
City staff present: Kim Keller, city manager
School board members present: Vice Chair Celia Anderson, Treasurer Patrick Baldwin, Chair
Virginia Mancini, Clerk Taylor Williams, Director Colin Cox, Director Susie Kaufman, Director
Sarah Davis
School board members absent: none
School system staff present: Dr. Carlondrea Hines, superintendent; Jazmin Hankerson,
executive assistant
Following a land acknowledgement recognizing the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, brief
introductions occurred where each elected official shared why they chose to run for office in 30
seconds or less.
Workshop Topics:
1. 2026 Legislative priorities
Community Schools Initiative
The school district presented its priority to advocate for removal of Title 1 requirements from
state statute 124D.231 regarding full-service community school grants. Currently, only Title 1
schools can apply for community school grants which provide wraparound services including
medical care, mental health services, nutrition assistance and immigration support. The district
identified Peter Hobart and Aquila Elementary as qualifying Title 1 sites but seeks to expand
community school services to other district locations. Removing the Title 1 restriction would
allow more schools to access funding for student and family support services. The district
requested city support through partnerships, funding assistance for community mental health
services, volunteer programs and legislative advocacy.
City Legislative Priorities
The city presented three legislative priorities with potential crossover benefits for the school
district. Gun safety measures focus on addressing statewide preemption laws that restrict local
gun control measures. The city seeks opportunities to support bipartisan legislation and
coalition building with other municipalities. Broadband access legislation aims to modernize
local franchising tools and ensure equitable broadband deployment while maintaining funding
streams for public access television. The Professional Advancement Grant funding initiative
would provide dedicated funding for public education and government programming to
strengthen community communications channels.
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City council and school board joint meeting -2- Feb. 9, 2026
2. How we heal
Response to Immigration Enforcement
Both entities discussed their responses to recent federal immigration enforcement activities
affecting the community. The city formed a coalition of 13-19 regional mayors focusing on
public safety, local control and economic stability concerns. The city developed community
resource lists, provided business outreach and rental assistance and plans to adopt a resolution
affirming community values. The school district implemented safety protocols, passed a
resolution protecting student and family data, denied access to federal agents without judicial
warrants and offered e-learning options during quarter 3. Both organizations emphasized
coordination with STEP for streamlined family assistance and acknowledged significant budget
impacts from unplanned response activities. Citing a conflict of interest, Commissioner Davis
removed herself from discussion on this agenda item.
Community Healing Activity
A facilitated brainstorming session generated ideas for community healing organized around
three themes: acknowledge, repair and renew. Participants identified potential actions
including community listening sessions, artwork projects, restorative practices, leveraging
grassroots infrastructure, supporting community reintegration and building on crisis-generated
community connections. The exercise focused on generating ideas for small actions with big
impact rather than evaluating feasibility.
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
These minutes were created with the assistance of a generative AI transcript service, then edited
and finalized by a city staff person.
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