NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Central Daylight Time.
Community & Culture
BACKGROUND
SACA Food Shelf community market open four days a week
SACA Food Shelf, 3905 California St. NE, says its community market is open to all neighbors who need food assistance, with no paperwork or appointments required, and that people can pick up free groceries as often as needed.
Market hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Mondays, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays. Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment only. Donations are accepted Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Schools & Youth
ONGOING
Voters approve Columbia Heights schools operating levy, unofficial results show
Voters approved the Columbia Heights Public Schools operating-levy referendum November 3, ABC Newspapers reported, citing unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State. The question received 5,982 “Yes” votes (56.14%) and 4,673 “No” votes (43.86%).
ABC Newspapers reported that the levy increases referendum revenue by $550 per pupil, with an annual inflation-based increase beginning with taxes payable in 2028. Anoka County says election-night results are unofficial and are proofed and reviewed after the election; results become official once the canvassing board approves them.
ONGOING
School Board meets November 10; work session follows November 17
The Columbia Heights School Board’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, November 10, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room, followed by a work session Tuesday, November 17, at 5:30 p.m., according to the announcements on the Board’s October 27 agenda.
ONGOING
Columbia Academy and Highland hold conferences November 11 and 12; Fall Choir Concert November 12
Columbia Academy, 900 49th Ave. NE, lists conferences Wednesday, November 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, November 12, from 3 to 6:30 p.m., according to the Columbia Heights Public Schools calendar. Highland Elementary School, 1500 49th Ave. NE, lists conferences Thursday, November 12, from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
The Columbia Academy Fall Choir Concert is Thursday, November 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Columbia Heights High School, 1400 49th Ave. NE.
- Columbia Academy conferences: November 11, 2026, 4 to 7 p.m.; November 12, 2026, 3 to 6:30 p.m.
- Highland Elementary conferences: November 12, 2026, 3 to 6:30 p.m.
- Fall Choir Concert: November 12, 2026, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Source: Columbia Heights Public Schools calendar
NEW
Craig, Medearis and Palmer win School Board seats, unofficial results show
Cristin Craig, Jessica Medearis and Laura Jean Palmer were elected to the Columbia Heights School Board November 3, ABC Newspapers reported, citing unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State. Medearis received 5,578 votes (28.88%), Palmer 5,300 (27.44%) and Craig 4,588 (23.75%); Adam Davis received 3,759 (19.46%).
Anoka County says election-night results are unofficial and become official when the canvassing board approves them.
Arts, Culture & Events
ONGOING
Family Storytime continues Mondays; LEGO Brick Builders returns November 24
Family Storytime, designed for children ages 2 to 5, meets Mondays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the Columbia Heights Public Library’s Community Room (Room 100) through December 14, according to Anoka County Library listings. The next session is Monday, November 9.
LEGO Brick Builders, for ages 6 and up, returns Tuesday, November 24, with building from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the same room. The library’s Adult Book Club next meets Wednesday, November 18, at 10:30 a.m. to discuss “The Mighty Red” by Louise Erdrich. No registration is required for the book club.
NEW
Library offers Paper Squishies craft November 10 and ECFE art class November 12
The Columbia Heights Public Library hosts Make It!: Paper Squishies on Tuesday, November 10, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Community Room (Room 100). Children ages 6 and up can design and color a squishy fidget with paper and tape; drop in anytime during the session.
ECFE at the Library: Art meets Thursday, November 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the same room for children ages 3 to 7 with a parent or caregiver. No registration is required.
AI in Your Community
CogniLocal tracks where artificial intelligence and related automated systems are already entering the institutions that serve this community, who is deploying them, what they are being used for and what changes next.
BACKGROUND
Columbia Heights ended its Flock camera network after privacy and data-sharing concerns
The Northeaster reported in June that the Columbia Heights City Council voted unanimously not to renew the city’s contract with Flock Safety. At a June work session, the Council directed staff to end all services with Flock and cancel its contracts with the company as soon as possible, the Northeaster reported.
According to the Northeaster, the City stopped using the cameras by removing flexible-location cameras and covering fixed-location cameras with black trash bags, and the seven cameras installed by Flock were to remain in place until their removal could be scheduled. Taxpayers were still carrying $45,000 in camera operation, installation and data-management costs, and Council Member Connie Buesgens said the City’s request for reimbursement from Flock was denied.
BACKGROUND
Separate Axon plate readers remain documented in 12 police squad cars
A Police Department presentation in City Council meeting materials documents 12 Columbia Heights squad cars equipped with Axon Fleet 3 cameras and automated license-plate recognition. The mobile system scans plates while officers drive and can issue alerts for stolen vehicles or active warrants; officers verify an alert with dispatch before acting.
The same materials say the plate readers do not perform facial recognition, vehicle owner and driver information is not available on Flock or Axon, and ALPR information captured by Axon was not being shared. A general slide says ALPR data is stored for 30 days and then deleted automatically, and a retention slide says data is kept for 30 days on Flock’s cloud service before it is deleted automatically.
The presentation establishes the equipment and rules at the time it was prepared. Whether all 12 units remain active, whether access rules have changed and whether the City will publish a separate Axon audit remain unconfirmed.
ONGOING
Police Technology Advisory Committee awaits public appointments
The Columbia Heights Police Department’s new Technology Advisory Committee is meant to offer structured community insight into the planning, implementation and evaluation of police technology, MinneapoliMedia reported in August. Applications were accepted through September 20.
No committee members, first meeting date, decision on whether meetings will be public or description of the members’ role over existing Axon equipment or future proposals has been announced.
ONGOING
Council unanimously opposes county drone program without city consent
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution October 26 opposing Anoka County’s first responder drone program, ABC Newspapers reported. Resolution 2026-071, as written in the meeting packet, opposes carrying out a county-wide Drone First Responder program without meaningful consultation and consent from affected cities, and expresses disappointment that the county communicated an opt-out option without a clear way to use it.
The resolution asks Anoka County not to establish a drone dock in Columbia Heights, urges the county to create the public transparency portal for drone deployments discussed at a county open house and asks it to publicly disclose policies on the collection, retention, sharing and deletion of drone data. It acknowledges the Sheriff’s legal authority to operate in the city and supports exploring a City-operated drone program under local policies. Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula said the City has operated its own drone program for several years, ABC Newspapers reported.
At the October 27 Anoka County Board meeting, Commissioner Mandy Meisner said the City Council had passed a resolution related to the Sheriff’s Office’s Flock camera pilot project and was disappointed there was no clear communication on how to exercise an opt-out option, according to the county’s board briefs. Minutes of the October 26 Council meeting have not been published.
ONGOING
Draft minutes record IT director’s answers on City AI plans, including on-premise “Coeus”
Draft minutes of the City Council’s October 5 work session, included in the packet for the Council’s November 9 meeting for approval, say Council Member Laurel Deneen asked whether there were concerns about AI and City data. IT Director Jesse Hauf replied that the City uses City network logins to access AI and has a separate business account, and that some information cannot be used for AI models.
Asked about power use for the City to have its own AI, Hauf said the server goes into a low-power state when it is not being used, and that one purpose of the project is to track utilization and how much hardware it would take to run a generative AI model, the draft minutes say. At the same session, Police Chief Matt Markham said Axon provides low-level reports and that body camera translation has been helpful.
The IT division’s budget presentation for that session listed “Support City-wide adoption of AI” and “Develop on-premise AI ‘Coeus’” among its 2027 technology projects, with a proposed 2027 IT operating budget of $1,077,200, up $45,200, or 4.38%, from 2026. The projects are part of a proposed budget, not an adopted one.
ONGOING
Library moves ahead with two new self-checkout stations
The Columbia Heights Library Board voted unanimously October 7 to move forward with a bid from Bibliotheca for two new self-check stations, according to draft minutes in the packet for the board’s November 4 meeting. Bibliotheca, the library’s current self-check provider, bid $19,699; TechLogic bid $19,325.
Staff favored Bibliotheca because patrons and staff already know its machines, including borrowers from Ramsey and Hennepin County libraries, and because the stations let patrons save preferences and can show library events on screen. A self-checkout station update was on the agenda for the board’s November 4 meeting; minutes of that meeting have not been published.
ONGOING
City’s latest list of paid bills includes $24,718 for DJI Matrice drones
The list of claims in the packet for the City Council’s November 9 meeting includes a check dated October 22 to Vertex Unmanned Solutions for DJI Matrice drones, batteries, lights, speakers and controllers, in two line items of $12,359 each, totaling $24,718.
The list does not say which department will use the drones or how. When the Council opposed Anoka County’s first responder drone program October 26, Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula said Columbia Heights has operated its own drone program for several years and the Council would support expanding it if more drones were needed, ABC Newspapers reported. The Council is asked to confirm it has reviewed the full list of claims, totaling $1,509,419.82.
City, Roads & Planning
ONGOING
EDA levy petition period ends today, November 8
Today, Sunday, November 8, is the last day for residents to petition against a proposed increase in the Economic Development Authority’s tax levy, from $394,800 in 2026 to $416,000 in 2027, a $21,200 increase, according to a City staff letter. After November 8, the letter says, the increase will be approved and included in the City’s budget.
The City Council was scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on the increase, Resolution 2026-70, at its October 26 meeting. Minutes of that meeting have not been published.
UPDATE
Rachel James elected mayor; Brie LaPlante and Tom Kaiser win council seats, unofficial results show
Council Member Rachel James was elected mayor of Columbia Heights November 3 with 5,546 votes (69.86%), defeating Mark Miernicki, who received 2,361 votes (29.74%), ABC Newspapers reported, citing unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State.
For the two at-large City Council seats, Brie LaPlante received 4,815 votes (39.51%) and Tom Kaiser 4,128 (33.87%), ABC Newspapers reported. Judah Scharnhorst received 1,663 votes and Robert Rogne 1,492. Anoka County says election-night results are unofficial and become official when approved by the canvassing board.
The City Council meets in a special session Monday, November 9, at 5:30 p.m. to consider a resolution canvassing the November 3 returns, before its regular 6 p.m. meeting. City staff said they were waiting on Anoka County Elections for the materials, which were expected the afternoon of November 9.
ONGOING
Council approves Oertel Architects contract for new Municipal Service Center
The City Council unanimously approved a nearly $1.7 million architectural and engineering contract with Oertel Architects on October 26 for a new Municipal Service Center, part of the City’s public works campus project, ABC Newspapers reported. The firm will handle design, engineering, cost estimates, site planning, public engagement and bidding.
ABC Newspapers reported that the City has received a $2.5 million state appropriation and $850,000 in federal funding authorization, with another congressional request pending. The center is planned for the former SACA building property, where the City is finalizing details of the purchase, and will include the recycling center.
ONGOING
Council’s November 9 agenda includes contamination-study grant bid for new public works site
The City Council’s agenda for Monday, November 9, at 6 p.m. includes Resolution 2026-075, approving an application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for contamination-investigation funding at the site of the planned Municipal Service Center. A staff letter says soil borings this summer showed site-wide contamination, including foundry waste slag, petroleum-related impacts and municipal solid waste fill.
The grant would help pay for a Phase II environmental site assessment and a response action plan, estimated at $45,600; the grant would cover up to 75% and the City would pay the 25% match, the letter says. The item is on the consent agenda, whose items are enacted by one motion unless a member removes one for separate discussion.
The Council is also scheduled to consider the first reading of Ordinance 1733, rezoning 15 Central Avenue properties from Limited Business to General Business and one 42nd Avenue property to two-family residential to match the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The staff report says the Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0 and that the change would not affect current uses; staff propose a second reading November 23.
Other agenda items include a $107,104 Anoka County SCORE recycling grant agreement, final payment of $22,950.01 for the 40th Avenue utility project, a sign variance for 4000 Quincy St. NE and proclamations for Veterans Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance and Native American Heritage Month.
NEW
Council hires new contractor to finish 2025 alley project
The City Council voted unanimously October 26 to award a $148,850 contract to Goodmanson Construction to complete the 2025 concrete alley project, ABC Newspapers reported. The original $1,072,501 contract went to Equity Builders & Construction Services of Rosemount, which ceased operations before finishing the work.
ABC Newspapers reported that the City had paid Equity $804,389.97 and that additional costs of the new contract would be covered by the performance bond if necessary. Council Member Rachel James said drainage problems and cracks affect residents throughout the city.
NEW
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula wins House District 39B, unofficial results show
Columbia Heights Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula, a DFL candidate, defeated Republican KT Jacobs for Minnesota House District 39B, the seat being vacated by DFL state Rep. Sandra Feist, ABC Newspapers reported. Márquez Simula received 14,638 votes (75.95%) to Jacobs’ 4,595 (23.84%), according to unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Still Developing
The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.
OPENSeptember 14 Madison Street shooting
Police previously reported responding around 6 a.m. September 14 to a report of possible gunshots in the 4100 block of Madison Street NE. They found no victims there but later learned that two people who might have been involved had driven themselves to a local hospital, FOX 9 reported. No arrest, suspect description or condition update has been made public.
Still unresolved: Subsequent police findings and case status.
Next checkpoint: A police or court update.
AWAITING RECORDSBusiness microloan recipients
The latest application round had closed. Eligible businesses could seek zero-interest loans of up to $10,000. At a September 17 candidate forum, Council President Rachel James said the forgivable microloan program has supported 30 businesses, the Northeaster reported October 6; the City has not published a list of recipients or amounts.
Still unresolved: Who received funding and how much was distributed.
Next checkpoint: A city announcement of awards or disbursements.
Latest reported movement: October 6.
AWAITING RECORDS4510 Taylor Street Habitat proposal
Draft minutes of the Economic Development Authority’s September 8 meeting record unanimous votes approving the sale of 4510 Taylor St. NE to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for $1 and a $35,000 forgivable loan for a new single-family home. The agreement sets a substantial-completion deadline of December 31, 2027. The City Council’s November 9 consent agenda includes accepting those September 8 minutes. The Planning Commission was scheduled November 4 to review whether the sale is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; its finding has not been published.
Still unresolved: Council acceptance of the September 8 EDA minutes and the Planning Commission’s consistency finding.
Next checkpoint: Council action November 9 and published minutes of the Planning Commission’s November 4 review.
September 8 minutes on the November 9 Council consent agenda.
OPENUNCONFIRMEDPolice technology oversight
Not confirmed against the source as of November 8, 2026: that the Axon plate-reader materials were from a May 4 work session. Check the source before relying on it.
Applications for the Technology Advisory Committee closed September 20, but appointments and a first meeting have not been announced. The continuing technical question is whether the City’s Axon squad-car plate readers remain active under the configuration described in the May 4 work-session materials after the separate Flock shutdown.
Still unresolved: Committee appointments and the first meeting date.
Next checkpoint: A city announcement of membership or meetings.
OPENSeptember 22 School Board actions
Minutes of the September 22 School Board meeting, approved October 13, show the Board approved the 2026-27 Youth Outreach Officer contract with the Columbia Heights Police Department, renewed its property and liability insurance package (total premium $362,306.22), approved the clerical master agreement for 2026-27 and 2027-28 and approved the 2026-payable-2027 preliminary levy at the maximum. Each motion passed with all members in favor.
Still unresolved: The final 2026-payable-2027 levy the Board adopts.
Next checkpoint: The Board’s final levy action.
Minutes approved October 13.
OPENManny Collins murder trial
An Anoka County jury found Jordan Collins Sr. guilty of second-degree murder on October 7 in the death of his son, Manny Collins, FOX 9 and MPR News reported. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2.
Still unresolved: The sentence.
Next checkpoint: The December 2 sentencing hearing.
OPENEarly-September Central Avenue shooting
The latest confirmed public account still says three bystanders were wounded, one alleged shooter was in custody and a second shooter remained at large. No newer arrest, charging announcement or victim-status update has been made public.
Still unresolved: Identification of the second alleged shooter, charging decisions and any later victim-status update.
Next checkpoint: A police or court update.
OPEN2027 city budget and levy
The City Council voted 5-0 on September 28 to adopt a proposed 2027 budget and preliminary levy that includes a 5.3% increase in the City’s gross tax levy, according to the meeting minutes. The minutes say that combines a 4.1% increase in local taxpayers’ share of the levy with a 9.6% increase in the share paid by the metro Fiscal Disparities subsidy. The Council holds a public hearing on the budget and final levy at its December 14 meeting; MinneapoliMedia reported that the Council may lower the levy before final adoption but may not raise it above the September maximum.
Still unresolved: The final levy and budget the Council adopts after the December 14 hearing.
Next checkpoint: The final budget and levy decision.
Proposed budget and levy adopted September 28.
OPENHighway 65 reconstruction
ABC Newspapers reported that the City Council unanimously approved MnDOT’s proposed redesign of Central Avenue (Highway 65) between 37th and 53rd avenues NE on September 14. Under the design, much of the corridor south of 49th Avenue would have one general traffic lane in each direction, with roundabouts planned at 46½, 47th, 49th, 51st and 53rd avenues.
Still unresolved: Additional project details are to be negotiated through a memorandum of understanding, and approved September 14 Council minutes have not been posted.
Next checkpoint: Approved September 14 minutes or a memorandum of understanding with MnDOT.
OPEN800 53rd Ave. NE former Medtronic property
A comprehensive-plan amendment for the former Medtronic property appeared on the September 14 Council agenda. Developer Yellow Tree was scheduled to present a draft redevelopment concept for the roughly 12-acre site to the Economic Development Authority November 2; staff say Yellow Tree intends to submit a Planned Unit Development application for the Planning Commission’s December 1 meeting, with a Council first reading December 14, and a tax increment financing application.
Still unresolved: The September 14 comprehensive-plan action remains unconfirmed in published minutes, and Yellow Tree’s application has not yet been reviewed.
Next checkpoint: Published minutes of the November 2 EDA discussion and the December 1 Planning Commission hearing.
EDA packet posted October 30.
OPEN4300 Central Ave. redevelopment
A comprehensive-plan amendment affecting 4300 Central Ave. was scheduled for Council action September 14.
Still unresolved: The final disposition remains unconfirmed in the available meeting record.
Next checkpoint: Published minutes or a later city development record.
A comprehensive-plan amendment was on the September 14 agenda.
OPENColumbia Heights schools and enrollment
Columbia Heights Public Schools has 3,275 students enrolled this fall, a 176-student decline from 3,451 last fall, ABC Newspapers reported October 6; Superintendent Zena Stenvik told the paper the decline equates to more than $2.5 million in lost state funding and linked it to Operation Metro Surge. The Northeaster reported in September that enrollment is back to about 3,300, compared with 3,400 before the ICE raids, and described geothermal heating and cooling wells at Valley View Elementary.
Still unresolved: Later enrollment figures, continuing effects on families and the geothermal project’s progress.
Next checkpoint: District enrollment and facilities updates.
Latest substantive local report: October 6.
OPENUNCONFIRMED3923 Jackson Street NE foreclosure
Not confirmed against the source as of November 8, 2026: all details. Check the source before relying on it.
The public notice scheduled a sheriff’s sale for September 29. No sale result or postponement has been published, so the outcome should not yet be treated as complete.
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