Detailed Meeting Recap

🚒Ceremony: New Firefighters Sworn In

Mayor Koch opened the meeting by administering the oath of office to four new firefighters and one newly promoted fire inspector. The badge-pinning marks the culmination of the city’s recruitment and training pipeline for its full-time, three-station fire department.

🏗️Development: Balfany Farms — 29-Home Subdivision Approved

✅ Approved: Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Preliminary Plat for Landspec Fund 5, LLC — 12301 Shenandoah Blvd NW (PC 25-15 & 25-16)

What was approved: A 29-unit single-family residential development on the southern 10 acres of the 30.34-acre former Balfany Farms property. The remaining northern acreage — floodplain and wetlands — will remain undisturbed.

Key project details:

• The southernmost 3.37 acres will be excavated and converted into a new lake, positioned behind rear yards
• Fill from excavation raises the developed area above the flood hazard zone
• A stormwater pond will be dedicated to the city
• A trail connection is planned toward Cardinal Woods Park
• Expected to generate approximately 290 daily vehicle trips — below the city’s threshold for requiring a formal traffic study

👷Labor Agreements: Three Contracts Approved for 2026–2027

✅ Approved (all unanimous): Two-year labor agreements for three bargaining units

Firefighters — IAFF Local No. 1935 (32 members)

• 2026: 3% cost-of-living + 1% market adjustment
• 2027: Larger increase reflects planned dissolution of the Coon Rapids Fire Relief Association (pension transition)
• Starting firefighter wages: $23.55/hr → $33.63/hr after 3 years (2026); rising significantly in 2027
• City cost increase: ~$124,000 in 2026 and ~$450,000 in 2027

Public Works — Teamsters Local No. 320 (40 members)

• 3% COLA + 1% market adjustment both years; mechanics receive additional 3% market adjustment in 2026
• Standby pay increases from 18 to 20 hours; uniform allowance raised to $600; tool allowance for mechanics raised to $800
• City cost increase: ~$193,000 in 2026 and ~$220,000 in 2027

Police Captains — LELS Local No. 528 (2 captains)

• 3% COLA + 1% market adjustment in 2026; 3% COLA + 0.5% in 2027
• 2026 annual salaries: $164,611–$173,805 (steps 1–3)
• Adds an additional health and well-being shift (3 total per year)
• City cost increase: ~$18,000 in 2026 and ~$22,000 in 2027

🏛️Charter Amendment — Final Adoption

✅ Adopted: Ordinance amending City Charter sections 1-505 and 1-511 (petition and referendum forms)

This is the final adoption of the amendment introduced at the February 2 meeting — adding a “year of birth” field to petition forms for compliance with Minnesota Rule 8205.1010 (voter age verification). The Charter Commission reviewed and recommended this change in December 2025.

Bottom line: Standard compliance item. No controversy. Protects petition integrity.

🛣️Street Reconstruction: Project Ordered and Bids Approved

✅ Approved: Resolution ordering a street reconstruction project and approving plans, specifications, and advertisement for bids.

What this means: The city is formally entering the procurement phase for a street reconstruction project. Bids will be solicited from contractors, with council awarding the contract at a future meeting.

Accountability reminder: Street reconstruction projects are assessed to affected property owners. Residents on streets slated for reconstruction should monitor which assessments apply to their properties and attend public hearings on assessment amounts.

🎤Open Mic: Federal Law Enforcement — Continued Dialogue

Mayor Koch again read a prepared response to federal law enforcement questions that were raised at a previous open mic session. This is the second consecutive meeting at which this topic has been formally addressed by the mayor.

What to Watch Next

1. Street Reconstruction — Contract Award

• Bids have been solicited. Watch for council to award the contract at an upcoming meeting
• Your action: If your street is in the project area, attend the assessment hearing and ask questions about your specific cost

2. Balfany Farms Development — Construction Monitoring

• Preliminary plat approved. Final plat and construction permits will follow
• Your action: Nearby residents should monitor grading activity near floodplain areas and report concerns to the city’s Engineering Department

3. Fire Relief Association Dissolution

• City Manager Stemwedel indicated the Coon Rapids Fire Relief Association is expected to be eliminated later in 2026
• Need transparency: What is the total unfunded liability (if any)? How does the transition affect current retirees? What is the timeline?
• Your action: Request a staff report on the pension wind-down if not already public

4. Federal Law Enforcement Policy — Still Unresolved

• Two consecutive meetings with verbal responses. Written policy still needed
• Your action: Submit a public records request for any written policy or guidance on city interactions with federal agencies

ABAH PAC Accountability Lens

✅ What Worked:

• Development process held up — Tabling the Balfany Farms project Feb. 2 allowed proper additional review before approval. The system worked as intended
• Labor transparency — Detailed wage and cost figures were presented publicly; residents can see exactly what the city is paying and why
• Charter process completed correctly — Amendment went through Charter Commission, public hearing, introduction, and final adoption in proper sequence
• Ceremony as accountability — Public oath-taking for new hires lets residents see who is being added to city payroll

⚠️ Accountability Gaps:

Fire Relief Association Pension Transition

A major structural change to how firefighter retirement is funded was embedded in a labor contract approval without a standalone public briefing.

The problem: Dissolving a pension association involves actuarial complexity and potential taxpayer exposure. Residents deserve a clear, dedicated public explanation — not just a line in a contract approval.

Federal Law Enforcement — Still Verbal Only

Two meetings, two verbal responses. No written policy published.

The problem: Policy by verbal statement is not accountable policy. Any response that matters should be in writing and publicly accessible.

💡 What Residents Should Demand:

1. Standalone briefing on Fire Relief Association dissolution
   • Total pension liability and how it’s being addressed
   • Impact on current retirees and current firefighters
   • Clear timeline and cost projections for taxpayers
2. Written federal law enforcement policy posted online
   • What local police will and won’t do in conjunction with federal agencies
   • Any formal MOUs or guidance from city attorney
3. Post-development monitoring for Balfany Farms
   • Actual traffic counts vs. the 290/day projection
   • Stormwater pond performance and maintenance costs to city
   • Grading compliance near floodplain boundaries

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Detailed Meeting Recap

🛣️Spending: 2026 Road Resurfacing Contract Awarded

✅ Approved: Resolution accepting bids and awarding a contract for the 2026 Full Depth Reclamation and Mill & Overlay project to North Valley for $537,927.13.

What this means: Full depth reclamation grinds up existing pavement and mixes it with new material to rebuild a roadway from the base up — more thorough than a simple overlay. The project includes work on Rapids Boulevard, which councilmembers specifically highlighted as a priority.

🏘️Crescent Ponds PUD Amendment Approved

✅ Approved: Amendment to the Crescent Ponds Planned Unit Development (PUD) adjusting maximum lot coverage and reducing the rear setback requirement for covered porches.

What changed: The amendment aligns regulations for covered porches with existing rules for uncovered decks — a consistency fix for homeowners within the PUD who wanted to add covered outdoor living space.

Why the council approved it: The affected lots back onto ponds and outlots rather than neighboring homes, minimizing visual or privacy impact on surrounding properties. Council found this to be a low-impact, resident-friendly adjustment.

Accountability note: PUD amendments set precedent for future requests. While this one is narrow in scope, residents in Crescent Ponds and similar developments should monitor whether future amendments erode original design standards over time.

💰Bond Redemption: Early Payoff of 2017A Bonds

✅ Approved: Resolution calling for the redemption of the 2017A Improvement Bonds ahead of schedule.

What this means: By paying off these bonds early, the city will save more than $18,000 in interest costs. This is sound fiscal management — eliminating debt service on bonds that are no longer necessary to carry.

📊2025 Community Development Annual Report

✅ Received: The 2025 Community Development Annual Report was presented to Council.

Key findings from the report:

• Approximately 6,700 building permits issued in 2025
• New construction value decreased compared to prior years
• Successful transition to a new software platform for building permits and code enforcement — improved processing efficiency
• A curb appeal guidebook for residents was developed, funded by a grant
• The city received recognition for solar array installations at public buildings

🎰Lawful Gambling Report

✅ Received and authorized: 2025 year-end gambling expenditure report received. Council authorized payment to the Community Strength Foundation from lawful gambling proceeds.

Accountability reminder: Lawful gambling proceeds must be used for lawful purposes per Minnesota statute. The Community Strength Foundation payment should be traceable to a specific approved community use. Residents can request documentation of how gambling funds were allocated.

📋Historical Commission Appointments

✅ Approved: New appointments to the Coon Rapids Historical Commission.

Board and commission appointments are governance infrastructure. Residents interested in serving on city boards should watch for future openings — these are meaningful ways to participate in local government.

🎤Open Mic: ICE Activity — Community Concerns Deepen

This was the third consecutive meeting at which ICE activity in Coon Rapids was raised as a significant public concern.

What residents reported at the microphone:

• A resident described witnessing federal enforcement vehicles and armed agents in the City Hall parking lot — questioning the appropriateness of federal operations in spaces meant for community engagement
• ICE vehicles reportedly following local school buses — causing significant community fear, particularly among families
• Reports of agents using deceptive tactics (posing as door-to-door salespeople) to gain entry to homes
• Shaylen Burbig, representing Parents for Good (an organization assisting families affected by ICE actions), criticized the council for not adequately addressing the issue — contrasting the council’s attention to lighter topics (snow days) with perceived silence on family safety concerns
• Multiple speakers urged the council to take a more active role in addressing community fear and safety

What city staff reported:

• Approximately 15–20 verified instances of ICE enforcement activity in Coon Rapids
• None of the verified incidents required Coon Rapids Police Department intervention
• City staff confirmed ongoing collaboration with the local school district to address safety concerns, particularly regarding ICE presence near schools

PAC Position: Transparency isn’t about taking sides — it’s about ensuring residents understand what their local government is doing (or not doing) and why. Three meetings in, the council owes the community written clarity on: (1) What the city’s role is and isn’t, (2) What protocols guide local officer interactions with federal agencies, and (3) What resources or referrals the city is offering affected families.

What to Watch Next

1. Federal Law Enforcement Policy — Now Urgent

• Three consecutive meetings. Community concern is not dissipating
• Your action: Request the mayor’s written responses via public records request. Ask the city attorney’s office whether a formal policy or MOU exists
• Watch for: Whether council directs staff to prepare a written policy for public adoption

2. Road Resurfacing — Construction Season

• Contract awarded to North Valley for $537,927.13. Construction will begin as weather allows
• Your action: Watch for city communications on construction schedules and detour plans for affected streets

3. Community Development — New Construction Decline

• The annual report flagged a decrease in new construction value. Is this a trend?
• Watch for: Whether council or staff provide an explanation — and whether zoning policy or the housing market is the driver

4. Crescent Ponds PUD — Precedent Monitoring

• One amendment approved. Watch for future requests that may progressively loosen original PUD standards
• Your action: Crescent Ponds residents should retain a copy of the original PUD conditions for comparison

5. Balfany Farms — Final Plat and Construction Permits

• Preliminary plat was approved Feb. 17. Final plat approval will come to council, followed by building permits
• Your action: Continue to monitor planning commission agendas for final plat submission

ABAH PAC Accountability Lens

✅ What Worked:

• Competitive bidding on road contract — Multiple bids received; council selected the recommended contractor transparently
• Proactive bond redemption — Paying off 2017A bonds early demonstrates responsible fiscal stewardship
• School district coordination on ICE — City’s engagement with the school district on student safety is a meaningful step
• Annual report received publicly — Community development data is now in the public record for residents to analyze

⚠️ Accountability Gaps:

ICE Policy — Three Meetings, Still No Written Policy

Community members are now showing up meeting after meeting with specific, documented concerns. Verbal mayoral responses are not sufficient governance at this level of sustained public engagement.

The problem: If the city has a clear policy on local-federal cooperation, it should be published. If it doesn’t have one, it should create one. Either way, residents deserve something in writing.

Road Project — Missing Street List and Timeline

A $537,000 road contract was awarded without a publicly stated list of which specific streets are in scope or a construction timeline for residents.

The problem: Residents whose commutes and daily lives will be disrupted by construction deserve advance notice. That information should accompany contract awards, not trail them by weeks.

New Construction Decline — No Explanation Offered

The annual report flagged a decline in new construction value. Council received the report without a substantive discussion of causes or implications.

The problem: New construction drives the tax base. A declining trend warrants public explanation and, if appropriate, policy discussion — not just a receive-and-file action.

💡 What Residents Should Demand:

1. Written ICE policy published on the city website
   • What Coon Rapids Police will and will not do with federal agencies
   • How residents can report incidents and what resources the city provides
   • City attorney guidance on legal liability and limits
2. Specific street list and timeline for road work
   • Published on the city website before construction begins
   • Advance notification to affected property owners
   • Clear contact for construction-related questions
3. Analysis of new construction decline
   • Is this a local policy issue or a regional market trend?
   • What is the projected impact on the city’s tax base over 5 years?
   • What, if anything, should council do in response?

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Contributions are not tax-deductible.