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MINUTES Mankato City Council Regular Meeting January 26, 2026 - 6 p.m. IGC - Council Chambers |
1.
Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
2.
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Massad suggested amending the agenda by removing Item 4 related to employee recognition, Item 7.A. under Council Business related to the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge Project (as the Council had received a handout on the update), and allowing comments with Item 7.B. She also asked that the Work Session that was scheduled to follow the regular meeting be continued virtually to Tuesday, January 27 at 9 a.m.
Ms. Melby-Kelley moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Massad suggested amending the agenda by removing Item 4 related to employee recognition, Item 7.A. under Council Business related to the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge Project (as the Council had received a handout on the update), and allowing comments with Item 7.B. She also asked that the Work Session that was scheduled to follow the regular meeting be continued virtually to Tuesday, January 27 at 9 a.m.
Ms. Melby-Kelley moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
3.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Hatanpa moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 12, 2026, as written. The motion carried unanimously.
4.
Appearances, Recognition, and Proclamations
Item was moved to a future meeting under agenda approval. Recognition of employees who have reached a milestone of 20 or more years of service with the City of Mankato between July 1 and December 31, 2025.
5.
Public Open Forum (15 Minutes)
No one spoke.
No one spoke.
6.
Consent Calendar
NOTE: All items listed under the Consent Calendar will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If a Council Member wishes to discuss any of these items, they may ask that the item be removed from the Consent Calendar. Removed item(s) will be discussed and acted upon by separate motion.
Mr. Dieken moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Mr. Dieken moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
A.
Report on project and Change Orders 1 & 2 for Capital Improvement Project 11201; Council Chambers Reconfiguration.
B.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an EPA Brownfield Community-wide Assessment Grant Application.
C.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a Redevelopment Grant Application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
D.
Resolution authorizing approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Joint Powers Agreement with Minnesota State University, Mankato for off-duty police and fire services.
E.
Set February 9, 2026, as the date of public hearing for amendments to Mankato City Code Chapter 2 related to Administrative Procedures, and to Chapter 3 related to Alcoholic Beverages.
F.
Set February 9, 2026, as the date of public hearing to review an ordinance amending Chapter 2 of Mankato City Code related to the adoption of an ordinance addressing requests for reasonable accommodations.
7.
Council Business
A.
Item was removed under approval of the agenda as a report was provided to Council. Update on the MnDOT Project SP 5212-35 (169), Veteran's Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation project.
B.
Ms. Arntz and Ms. Whitmore provided a review and summary of responses to City Council's requested items from the January 12, 2026, City Council Meeting, which included joining the lawsuit with the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, internal training, development of a resource page on the city's website, possible grant options for providing food, and potential adoption of ordinances/policies.
Discussion took place related to the items provided with members of the public providing comments and input.
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion authorizing the City Attorney to prepare and file an amicus brief on behalf of the city for submittal to the State Attorney General's office. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Laven moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to have a draft ordinance prepared related to the wearing of body-worn cameras and non-masking of law enforcement persons. Ms. Hatanpa asked to amend the motion by requesting that law enforcement from outside Mankato have proper/clearer identification when in Mankato. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion took place related to the items provided with members of the public providing comments and input.
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion authorizing the City Attorney to prepare and file an amicus brief on behalf of the city for submittal to the State Attorney General's office. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Laven moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to have a draft ordinance prepared related to the wearing of body-worn cameras and non-masking of law enforcement persons. Ms. Hatanpa asked to amend the motion by requesting that law enforcement from outside Mankato have proper/clearer identification when in Mankato. The motion carried unanimously.
8.
Reports and Miscellaneous Business
View all city committee meetings by clicking on our City Calendar
Work Session, February 2, 2026, 6 p.m., North Mankato
Regular Council Meeting, February 9, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with EDA to follow if needed)
Regular Council Meeting February 23, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with Work Session to follow)
View all city committee meetings by clicking on our City Calendar
Work Session, February 2, 2026, 6 p.m., North Mankato
Regular Council Meeting, February 9, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with EDA to follow if needed)
Regular Council Meeting February 23, 2026, 6 p.m., Council Chambers (with Work Session to follow)
9.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to adjourn. With all members voting in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
There being no further business, Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to adjourn. With all members voting in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
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Minutes Approved.
_________________________ Mayor Massad |
ATTEST:
_________________________
Renae Kopischke
City Clerk
_________________________
Renae Kopischke
City Clerk