Eagan City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026: Police Swearing-In, Street Improvements, and Community Concerns on Immigration
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Eagan City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026
The Eagan City Council met on February 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the Eagan Municipal Center. The meeting included the swearing-in of five new police officers, adoption of a consent agenda, six public hearings (five street improvement projects and one right-of-way vacation), a conditional use permit for outdoor storage, and a significant segment of visitor comments regarding immigration enforcement and community safety. The mayor also delivered remarks on the city's measured response to Operation Metro Surge.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes, personnel items, check registers, contracts, and donations.
- Amended the 5-Year Public Works Capital Improvement Plan (2026–2030) and awarded a contract for South Treatment Roof Replacement.
- Approved Change Order No. 9 for the Eagan Community Center Reinvestment Project (#1576).
- Amended the 5-Year Parks & Recreation Capital Improvement Plan (2026–2030) and awarded a contract for Northview Park Tennis Courts Improvements.
- Item I was pulled.
- Approved Change Order No. 2 and final payment for Contract 25-09, 2025 Well Rehabilitation Project.
- Cancelled the public hearing for February 3, 2026, to certify delinquent nuisance abatement bills.
- Approved an amendment to the 2026 Fee Schedule.
- Scheduled public hearings for March 3, 2026, to certify delinquent utility bills and delinquent nuisance abatement bills.
- Approved plans and specifications for Contract 26-12, 2026 Street Maintenance (crack sealing, sealcoating, striping) and scheduled a bid opening.
- Adopted the amended Investment Policy.
- Approved a resolution to direct staff and the city attorney’s office to prepare an ordinance for a moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining and schedule a public hearing.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Amina (representing Somali American Leaders Table – SALT) urged the council to publicly speak out against the federal government’s dehumanizing rhetoric and immigration enforcement actions. She described the fear within the Somali community, noting that approximately 60% of Somali Americans are U.S.-born, and that current enforcement has caused residents to stay home, avoid school, and seek grocery deliveries. She emphasized that silence from elected officials is perceived as agreement.
- Caitlin Werberton, a resident, echoed Amina’s concerns and shared that she had witnessed ICE interactions at the Cedar Grove Town Centre earlier that evening. She asked the council to provide more detail on the “seen and unseen” actions the city is taking.
- During the public hearing on street improvement projects, Sylvia Hakala (resident of 4561 Lake Park Drive) asked about parking availability and access to her property during construction of Project 1639.
Discussion Items
- Mayor’s Remarks on Immigration Enforcement: The mayor addressed the council and public, noting that the city is aware of community concerns regarding Operation Metro Surge. He explained that the council is being “measured and thoughtful” rather than reactive, and that passing symbolic ordinances without enforceability could waste staff time and potentially inflame tensions. He mentioned ongoing coordination with mayors in Dakota County, discussions with the regional council of mayors, and a meeting held two weeks prior with the Somali community. He stressed that the city is fully engaged but that individual cities are limited in their ability to affect federal operations.
- Street Improvement Projects (1634, 1635, 1636, 1638, 1639): Public Works Director Ben presented the five projects, totaling 4.65 miles affecting 535 properties in the southwest quadrant. Estimated total cost is $3.1 million, with $1.8 million covered by the city and $1.3 million assessed to properties. Residential assessments range from $2,300 to $2,900 per property, with first-year principal and interest around $650–$700. Construction is expected to take 3–4 weeks per neighborhood, with access maintained. The council approved the projects after hearing public comment.
- Vacation of Meadow View Road Right-of-Way and Easement: Public Works Director Mathis explained that the vacation is needed to facilitate a property sale. The right-of-way is remnant from an old cul-de-sac; no objections were received. The council approved the vacation.
- Conditional Use Permit for Hempel Company (2945 Commers Drive): City Planner Schultz presented a request for a 16,000-square-foot fenced outdoor storage area for empty pallets (stored no higher than 10 feet) and overnight parking of three semi-tractor trailers. The property is in an I-1 Industrial zone. The Advisory Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval. Conditions include installation of two prefabricated metal staircases over existing jersey barriers for fire egress and recording of a prescriptive easement for vehicular access if properties are sold. The council approved the permit.
Key Outcomes
- Police Swearing-In: Five new officers were sworn in: Sophia Legare, Allison Alessi, Shreyas Pothini, Cody Smith, and Frederick Van Tiem. Chief Omari presided. All five are graduates of the Pathways to Policing program.
- Consent Agenda: Adopted unanimously.
- Street Improvement Projects: Approved as presented, with detailed plans and specifications authorized.
- Vacation of Meadow View Road Easement: Approved.
- Conditional Use Permit: Approved with conditions from the APC minutes.
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting concluded without a closed session. The motion to adjourn carried.
Meeting Transcript
All right. One nation under God. Indivisible. We have a packed house tonight. Um I'm going to bank that that's because we're swearing in five new uh officers to the Egan Police Force tonight. So my guess is that most of the audience is here for that. Um, and then we'll see who's left after we're done with that. But uh so we have a uh fairly substantive agenda, I guess, but uh not too substantive. So um I'll just go to um Ms. Miller and see if there are any changes in the agenda tonight and we'll get on with it. No, Mr. Mayor. Council only changed the agenda. Council Mr. Bach to adopt the agenda as presented. Second uh that is moved and seconded. Is there any further discussion on the agenda? Seeing none, all in favor single saying I oppose nay. That motion carries, and we have an agenda. Um the first item on tonight's agenda under recognitions and presentations is the administration of the oath of office for newly appointed um Egan police officers. There's five of them. I'm not going to venture their names because uh Chief Omari, I'm sure we'll uh not only venture their names, but um uh pronounce them correctly. Um, and uh, I'm gonna welcome Chief Omari for his first uh swearing in ceremony as Chief in Egan. Uh Chief I'm already welcome. Thank you, Mr. Mara. No pressure. Don't you know that so uh good evening, uh Mr. Mayor, members of council, uh Miss Miller, community members, family members, welcome, welcome. Uh, tonight is about five individuals who made a choice that most people will never make to dedicate their lives to protecting strangers, to face what others fear, to carry the sacred trust of this community on their shoulders. These officers chose this profession because they understand what service looks like. They understand what courage means, and the Egan Police Department chose them because this community needs officers with with exactly that understanding. Officers with their skills, their commitment, and their character. But clearly they did not get here alone. Their families and friends are here tonight, the people who have supported them, inspired them, and believed in them from the beginning. These families are their foundation, their strength. And when these officers face hard days, their families and friends will be the ones who remind them why it matters. When they doubt themselves, their families will be the ones who believe when they can't. We will train them, we will support them, we will give them the equipment they need to do their jobs well. But what their families give them that love, support, belief in who they are, that's what makes great officers. It's not the badge, it's not the uniform, it's their families. So tonight we honor them also, because behind every officer who does this job well is a family who made it possible. And so to our new officers, now the Egan Police Department has over 60 years of excellent history. You're joining something rare. A department that doesn't just talk about service and professionalism, but lives it every single day. Look around the room. Your partners, city leaders, community members. They will teach you, they will challenge you, and they will stand beside you. The badge you are about to receive represents something bigger than any one of us. It represents the community's belief that when they call, someone will answer.
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