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St. Louis Park council adopts resolution condemning tactics in "Operation Metro Surge" after hours of public comment
Summary
St. Louis Park's City Council adopted a resolution formally opposing tactics used in Operation Metro Surge and affirming the city's commitment to residents' safety and dignity. Speakers urged stronger local protections including a separation ordinance, limits on Flock camera data sharing, eviction relief and more active communications from city leadership.
St. Louis Park Mayor Mohammed and the City Council on Monday adopted a resolution affirming the city's commitment to public safety, civil rights and the dignity of all residents and condemning tactics used in "Operation Metro Surge." The council read the resolution into the public record, heard more than an hour of public comment and then voted to adopt the measure.
The resolution text invokes the St. Louis Park home-rule charter and cites federal protections including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. City Manager Kim told the council staff were prioritizing actions that would have measurable impact, were within city authority and would focus on those most affected; she described a trusted-messenger network, internal staff protocols for encounters with federal agents and tracking of city expenses tied to the response.
Dozens of residents and community leaders spoke during the public-comment period. Derek Fradenberg, a Ward 4 resident, urged the council to enact a "strong separation ordinance" that would (1) legally limit police cooperation or crowd-control support for immigration enforcement, (2) establish reporting protocols for city employees and (3) limit federal use of city property and resources. "In order to protect residents now and in the future, the city must enact a strong separation ordinance," Fradenberg said.
Other speakers pressed the council on surveillance and data-sharing practices. Matt Kinney, a Ward 3 resident, said the city operates 16 Flock cameras and that the city's data-sharing agreement makes that information available to many outside agencies. "I found out that we are sharing our flock data with 83 organizations in the state," Kinney said, and asked the council to suspend or renegotiate those agreements to limit access.
Public commenters also raised housing and economic concerns. Marilyn Klug of the St. Louis Park Community Housing team cited recent eviction-filing counts in the city (25 in December, 23 in January and 28 in two weeks in February) and urged improved outreach and crisis rent assistance for tenants sheltering in place. Several speakers said fear of enforcement had caused residents to stay home and miss work or school.
State Senator Ron Latz, chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, praised local action and said the Legislature would consider proposals next week to address federal enforcement conduct, including potential causes of action against federal agents and other measures to create protected spaces and increase transparency.
Council members who spoke described the resolution as a necessary public record and a signal of values while acknowledging legal limits on municipal authority over federal agents. After public comment, a council member moved to adopt the resolution; after a second and a call for the ayes, the mayor announced the motion carried and the resolution was adopted. The council adjourned following brief closing remarks thanking staff and residents for their engagement.
Next steps flagged during the meeting included continued coordination with suburban cities in a newly formed coalition, continued support for the amicus brief in litigation led by the Minnesota attorney general, staff work on enforceable local policies (including reexamining mutual aid agreements), and outreach to residents and businesses with resources and reporting channels.
