[PAGE 1] Regular Meeting of the Vadnais Heights City Council Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m. 1. Open Meeting Krachmer opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Members present: Mayor Mike Krachmer; Council Members Erik Goebel, Kelly Jozwowski, Katherine Doll Kanne, and Jerry Moynagh. Members absent: none. Also present: City Administrator Kevin Watson, City Attorney Erich Hartmann, Public Works DirectorJim Hauth, Planning/Community Development DirectorNolan Wall, Fire ChiefKurt Frison. 2. Roll Call Watson read the roll. 3. Pledge ofAllegiance Those present recited the Pledge ofAllegiance. 4. Announcements Watson read various announcements. Krachmer noted Council Members wished to speak regarding current events regarding immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Jozwowski spoke to community building and ways to build and support community, highlighting ways to aid others, and peaceful protest. Goebel spoke to the limits ofcity government with federal action and urging transparency and accountability. Doll Kanne noted the impacts on the community from the experience ofa kindergartener who knows classmates are not coming to school. 5. Approval ofAgenda 6. Presentations A. Community Development Department Annual Report Wall presented for the Community Development Department with staff, departmental roles, and financial impacts. Breakdown ofpermits was provided,just over 2,100 permits in 2025. 7. Open to the Public Krachmer opened the floor to the public at 7:28 p.m. [PAGE 2] Jocelyn Lee, 4194 Honeysuckle Court, spoke ofthe fear in community being widespread in schools, streets, and stores. A friend who is seven months pregnant cannot leave her house because ofI.C.E. agents stalking her. Lee herselfnoticed I.C.E. agents waiting at abus stop. These actions are happening now in Vadnais Heights. Saw I.C.E. agents speeding down Highway 96 blowing through red lights speeding. Communities are less safe due to federal actions.Ask of Council is to speak to what is happening in the community, set boundaries ofwhat can be done, connect residents to resources such as legal and food, and passing aresolution supporting community. Leslie Scherer, 3870 Stockdale Drive, shared concerns with the threat to safety ofthe community and asks city does what it can to protect its residents. Has friends and neighbors who are here lawfully and are afraid to leave their homes for risk ofbeing racially profiled. People are afraid to go out to destinations in the community and making contingency plans for their families in case they are taken. Safety and rights ofcommunity members are at risk. Concern when federal agents are held to different standards as stated by federal leaders on the news. Hopes Council will do what is possible to limit I.C.E. in the community. Will take a lot ofcollaboration to meet the needs ofthe community. Paul and Ann Capeder, 487 Park Place, spoke offrustration and fear inspired by federal agents in the community. Local first responders deserve full support and respect as they are put in a difficult position by federal actions. Asks for advice from Sheriff's Office and first responders on how they can help the community. Would like for some communication from local law enforcement. It ensures the community knows who is local"and who is federal and what the boundaries are between the agencies. Has kids in Shoreview and Roseville also made a statement andput it out on the website and would like to see Vadnais Heights do the same. Council Member Moynagh asked to make his statement here. Has been attending information sessions about immigration and has continued to learn more. Asks all to follow laws for protest and enforcement. Asks community to contact federal legislatures to urge collaboration on immigrationjust as other issues. Speak truth with love, and to treat others as one wishes to be treated. Mary Witzel, 495 Park Place, searched for a statement from the city and could not find one. Urges ongoing communication to reassure neighbors that our community is not okay with the federal actions. Grateful for comments made by Council. Issue is bigger than Minneapolis, it's the whole state. Sara Grimm, 3672 Oak Creek Drive E, thanked Council for statements made and wanted to reiterate that communication on ways to support the community is needed. Community members are ready and able and looking for ways to support. There being no one who wished to speak, Krachmer closed the floor at 7:50 p.m. 8. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Goebel, seconded by Jozwowski, to approve the Consent Agenda, items 8A through 8L. [PAGE 3] A. Approve Claims #88038 through# 88103 and Electronic Claims# 2167 through# 2174 B. Approve Minutes ofthe Regular Workshop Meeting ofJanuary 6, 2026 C. Approve Minutes ofthe Regular Council Meeting ofJanuary 6, 2026 D. Approve Agreement with Saint Paul Area Chamber ofCommerce E. Approve Agreement with White Bear Lake Area Chamber ofCommerce F. Accept Deferment Application for 754 Greenhaven Drive RESOLUTION 26-01- 03 G. Approve Gambling Permit Application from St Odilia for April 18, 2026 H. Approve Agreement with VHEDC for 2026 I. Accept Quarterly Building Report J. Accept Pay Equity Report K. Approve Advance Authorization for Municipal State Aid Funds RESOLUTION 26- 01- 04 L. Approve Donation ofExpired Fire and Medical Equipment Ayes—5 Nays— 0 Consent Agenda is approved. 9. Acceptance ofCommittee and Commission Minutes None. 10. Public Hearings None. 11. Committee, Commission, and City Council Reports Moynagh— nothing to report. Jozwowski— nothing to report. Doll Kanne— Green Team had third annual winter sowing event for native pollinator plants. Thanked AFSA for use ofspace. Green Team is expanding events— Big Wood Brewery will be the location ofa clothing swap February 1, 1- 3 p.m. for gently used adult men' s and women' s clothing. Goebel— thanked all who spoke in Open to the Public as it is a scary time and speaking in public is not an easy venture. Krachmer— took time to answer questions submitted through email regarding a non-cooperation policy. City staff and County staff will not ask immigration status. Many on the dais oppose the aggressive tactics ofI.C.E. and encourages community members to call 9- 1- 1 in an emergency regardless ofstatus. Krachmer noted that Vadnais Heights is a contract city with the county sheriff's office. Supports Know-Your-Rights information, and is concerned with infringements of community members' civil rights. Encourages safety when community members observe, and how recordings may help provide accountability. 12. New Business A. Adopt Resolution for Property Exchange Agreement with ISD 624 Hauth presented the property exchange with the school district as well as the easement for the sanitary sewer access path project. The city has no interest in the unaddressed parcel that is part ofthe school parking lot, the school has the land back to a manhole that the city would need for the sewer access pathproject. [PAGE 4] Upon motion by Goebel, seconded by Doll Kanne, it was: 26-01- 05 RESOLVED: City Council approves a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to sign the Quit Claim Deed to give ownership ofthe vacated right-of-way obtained from Ramsey County to ISD 624, and further authorized to sign the Property Exchange Agreement with ISD 624. Ayes— 5 Nays— 0 Resolution is adopted. 13. Old Business A. Approve Resolution Governing Write-in Candidate Vote Counting Watson presented the update to match city policy with state statute regarding the timeframe for write- in candidates to request their votes be counted. Upon motion by Doll Kanne, seconded by Goebel, it was: 26-01- 06 RESOLVED: City Council adopts a resolution governing write-in vote counting. Ayes— 5 Nays— 0 Resolution is adopted. B. Approve Grant Agreement between the City and Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for Sanitary Sewer Improvements Hauth presented the grant application and agreement between the city and the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for Sanitary Sewer Improvements. The grant was applied for and granted and the process is for the agreement to be finalized when the amount is known. This allows the city to be reimbursed around $ 100,000. Upon motion by Jozwowski, seconded by Moynagh, it was: 26-01- 07 RESOLVED: The City Council adopts a grant application and agreement between the city and the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for 2024- 2025 sanitary sewer improvements which will allow the city to receive reimbursements. Ayes - 5 Nays— 0 Resolution is adopted. 14. Staff Reports Frison— Fire will inspect new ladder truck nearing completion. Hope to receive in a month. Health and Public Safety Commission will meet January 28, and is seeking an alternate. Hauth— Submitted application for 2026-2027 grant for sanitary sewer improvements. Hopeful LCCMR grant will be included. Work beginning on Sanitary Sewer Access Path project. Sand was delivered to deal with thawed ground for roadway base. Wall—Nothing to report. Hartmann— Working with Hauth on easement agreements. Researching resources for the city regarding federal actions in the metro. Has new assistant which will help Hartmann with city work. Watson— In contact with other city administrators to share information and resources. 15. Consideration ofFuture Topics for City Council None. 16. Adjourn Meeting [PAGE 5] Motion by Goebel, seconded by Jozwowski, to adjourn the meeting at 8: 13 p.m. Ayes— 5 Nays— 0 Meeting is adjourned. Respectfully submitted, At Kevin Watson, City Administrator