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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JANUARY 31, 2026 15 <br />She hopes that happens. Right now food isn't the issue it's being able to buy a tube of toothpaste <br />or toilet paper. Some haven't worked for months and months and they can't get unemployment. <br />She echoes everything the other Councilmembers said. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Monson thanked everyone for the discussion. She supports everything that the <br />public and the other Councilmembers said this evening. She said the additional ideas are great. <br />She wants to acknowledge the fear and the pain. She doesn't tend to dwell on emotions, but this <br />has been an extraordinary moment in time that created a place that many of us have never been, in <br />terms of emotional stress and the level of helplessness. It's terrifying that we are truly seeing what <br />the federal government could do. Not just in this forum. We feel very limited, as a City, about <br />what we can do that will actually be impactful and stop these activities. We can have a show of <br />force, in some way, but to actually stop staging would be very difficult. This level of helplessness <br />makes it incredibly terrifying. She feels this helplessness. It ripples wide and this isn't easy for <br />anyone. She loved all of the ideas that were presented that Council can discuss and implement. <br />She heard residents telling us tonight that we need to up our game. She noted Roseville has a lot <br />more resources on their website. We will continue to push and up our game by showing support <br />and affirmative statements. The government can't take our community. She's been reading <br />articles about how ICE had no idea what they were up against. This community banded together <br />and said no, in the most peaceful manner. It is nearly impossible for anyone to say it was <br />disorderly or disrespectful. It has been amazing. She was moved to tears when she read about <br />some chants during Boston protests that said Minneapolis taught them to be brave. We will <br />provide as many resources as possible. She wanted to specifically highlight the Northeast Youth <br />and Family Services (NYFS) organization. They are headquartered in Shoreview. The City of <br />Arden Hills provides funding for them and Councilmember Rousseau sits on the board. This is an <br />amazing organization. They provide mental health resources and therapy, particularly for youth <br />and families. They go into the schools and their rates are on a sliding scale, based on income. <br />They can help everyone. This is a legitimate resource and an amazing organization. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Monson asked Council how they would like to proceed with Council <br />discussion. She is open. <br />Councilmember Holden would like to discuss the low hanging fruit and get the easier ones done. <br />She means items like sending the letter for eviction notices, talking about signage in the parks and <br />signs in the yards. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Monson said the eviction notice item is requesting Council send a letter to <br />Governor Walz. A resident provided a copy of Roseville's ordinance regarding that. She supports <br />sending a letter to the governor.' <br />All Councilmembers in attendance are in support of that. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Monson asked City Administrator Jagoe if the letter would come from the full <br />Council with all Councilmembers signing. <br />City Administrator Jagoe said Staff is looking for direction from the Council. If there is <br />anything that requires a motion or approval, it would have to be at a Council meeting. She said <br />she can prepare a draft letter for the February 9 meeting so Council can make a formal action. She <br />heard someone state that the City of Roseville implemented an ordinance so she would like to <br />look at the process they did. Staff can work on that and have something ready for the February 9 <br />