Nathan Burkett

The meeting included organizational business such as appointing the Mayor Pro Tem for 2026 and approving appointments to public agencies and committees, including a switch in committee positions for two councilmembers. The council also approved the Permanent Rules of the City Council and Code of Ethics as amended. Community members raised significant concerns regarding the presence and actions of ICE agents, requesting resolutions against collaboration with ICE and expressing fears for community safety. Key general business items involved the adoption of the 2025 Parks System Plan, approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a Medical Office (Nova Recovery Center), and approval of a resolution outlining a bond sale.

The City Council meeting included the adoption of the agenda, an OCWS Briefing, and opportunities for community comments both in person and via phone line. Key actions included the presentation of a Proclamation Honoring Black History Month. The Consent Agenda involved approving minutes from the January 12, 2026 meeting, addressing City Business Licensing and City Rental Licensing, approving a List of Claims, and appointing a public member to the South Metro Fire Board (SMFD). Major general business items included passing resolutions to support and trust the West St. Paul Police Department, discussing 2026 Legislative Positions, reviewing a rental license application for 97 Orme St. E., approving an amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and conducting the first reading to rezone multiple properties near Butler Ave. and Highway 52, and approving site plan, preliminary, and final plat applications for the redevelopment of 424 Butler Ave. E. The session also included a Public Hearing regarding the Administrative Code Repeal and Replace, and a Closed Session for the City Manager Performance Review.

The Open Council Work Session agenda focused on several key discussions. Primary topics included establishing 2026 legislative positions and providing direction on bonding and funding requests, which involved proposing resolutions to adopt policy positions. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to an update on Immigration Enforcement Activity, where legal parameters, current city practices, and comparative approaches from peer cities were reviewed, leading to several policy recommendations regarding City interaction with federal immigration enforcement, data usage, and communications. Other agenda items included a discussion on license fees for secondhand and construction-impacted businesses, and a Strategic Plan Update if time permitted.

The work session agenda included discussions on several critical items. Key topics involved reviewing and potentially adopting policy positions for the 2026 legislative session, including specific bonding and funding requests such as funding for 150 Thompson Park Project, extension of the Local Option Sales Tax, and funding for opioid response. A resolution was prepared to authorize certain individuals to speak on behalf of the City Council. Further discussion covered business license fees for secondhand stores and businesses impacted by construction projects, with staff providing an overview of fee structure consistency and equity. Finally, time was allotted for an update on the City's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan priorities, including Community Engagement & Representation, Housing and Affordability, Public Spaces, and Affordability.

The key discussion topics for this work session included an update on Immigration Enforcement Activity, involving analysis and the potential establishment of city policies regarding federal immigration activity, as well as a review of the Flock System. The Council also addressed their 2026 Legislative Positions, focusing on priorities and bonding/funding requests, which included adopting policy positions and authorizing specific individuals to speak on behalf of the City Council. Further discussions covered license fee proposals for Secondhand Stores and Construction-impacted Businesses. Time permitting, a Strategic Plan Update was also scheduled.