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The Fridley City Council has issued a statement criticizing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, saying federal actions moved forward without local input or authority during what officials described as a surge in enforcement under Operation Metro Surge. In the statement, the council said the level of immigration enforcement created challenges beyond the city’s control and pledged to advocate to state and federal leaders to prevent similar disruptions in the future. ...

The Oak Grove City Council approved a $92,848 change order for the new City Hall and fire station Feb. 23 to meet Minnesota requirements, but not without criticism over the cost and the number of project revisions brought forward. City Engineer Chuck Schwartz said the changes were needed to comply with state law. The order includes modifications to water filtration, installation of a corrugated metal pipe beneath the concrete driveway serving the fire station and the addition of a hydrant on the south side of the driveway. ...

In the city of Coon Rapids, while a council meeting was being held on the evening of February 17th, the city hall was also host to a vigil at which residents could come together and grieve the deaths of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Victor Diaz. The vigil was hosted by Transformative Circle, who earlier in June 2025 had done something similar for the shooting death of Rep. Melissa Hortman in the same location. ...

The Fridley City Council on Feb. 23 unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment establishing rental fees for new facilities at Commons Park. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Maher said the updated fee schedule will cover activity rooms in the park’s new recreation building, open-air shelters and a large-group bus permit program. The recreation building will include three activity rooms with a capacity of about 25 people each. Two rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 50 people. Maher said the spaces are suited for youth birthday parties, business meetings and small gatherings. ...

The Nowthen City Council voted 3-2 Feb. 10 to continue flying the current Minnesota state flag, rejecting a motion by Council Member Ken Glaser to remove both the current and former versions from city property. Mayor Shane Hybben and Council Members Mary Rainville and Dan Swenson voted against the motion. Glaser, who previously raised the issue in November 2025, argued the redesign process was partisan and said the city should not fly a state flag unless a bipartisan process produced a new design. ...

Lake George water customers will see a 7.5% rate increase in 2026 after the Oak Grove City Council unanimously approved the hike Feb. 9, along with a $200,000 interfund loan to support the utility’s finances. The loan, approved at 3% interest over 10 years, will come from the city’s Economic Development Authority fund. Council members postponed a proposed sewer rate increase pending additional information. According to the meeting packet, projections assume annual water rate increases of 7.5% for five years and sewer rate increases of 3% annually over the same period. Supplier costs for both utilities are projected to rise 3% annually. The five-year forecast runs from 2026 through 2030 for the water fund and 2023 through 2028 for the sewer fund. ...

The Blaine City Council on Feb. 18 approved two conditional use permits and awarded a $236,957.50 contract for the city’s 2026 crack sealing project, but delayed a proposed Public Works equipment purchase after funding questions were raised. The council unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Park Construction Company to continue concrete crushing operations at 10101 Naples St. NE. Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said surrounding properties to the north, south and west are zoned heavy industrial, while the property to the east is zoned Planned Business District. ...

The Blaine City Council on Feb. 20 unanimously approved three items related to a proposed 32-lot single-family development at Lexington Avenue and Flowerfield Road NE. The approvals included rezoning the 31.92-acre site from Single-Family Residential to Development Flex, a preliminary plat subdividing the property into 32 lots and four outlots, and a conditional use permit allowing construction of the homes. Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said 18 of the 32 homes will be villas on the west side of the development, offering low-maintenance living with a homeowners association responsible for snow removal and common-area upkeep. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a resolution Feb. 18 authorizing permanent and temporary easement acquisitions along 105th Avenue for a planned roundabout involving land owned by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. City Attorney Eric Larson said the city is proceeding through a condemnation “quick take,” explaining that one method of acquiring or expanding city right of way is to seek court approval through a condemnation process. He added that most acquisitions are typically handled through negotiation. ...

A Columbia Heights resident was taken into custody Feb. 12 by federal immigration enforcement agents who allegedly posed as motorists needing car assistance outside his home. Miguel Flores wrote on GoFundMe that his father, Jesus Flores, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that afternoon. He described his father as hardworking and said he provided for his children. According to the GoFundMe page, two women approached the family’s door at about 1 p.m. and later were identified as ICE agents. The post states they knocked and asked Jesus Flores for help with car problems before detaining him. ...