Eagan council hears calls to remove officers after Kingsley Bimpong’s death, approves housing bonds and several land‑use measures

EAGAN, Minn. — Dozens of residents urged Eagan’s City Council on Nov. 18 to use its oversight power to remove officers and demand accountability in the death of Kingsley Bimpong, while the council approved a package of financial and land‑use measures.

Speakers during an extended public‑comment period accused police and detention staff of failing to provide medical care and of hiding information. "They muted their body cameras," said Cynthia, a volunteer with the Minnesota Freedom Fund, charging that the officers "chose to send him to a jail cell over a hospital bed." She and others urged immediate termination of the officers involved.

Michelle Gross, who said she is a retired nurse and serves on the peace officer standards and training (POST) training committee, faulted officers for not using mandated emergency‑medical training in the encounter with Bimpong. "These officers had the proper training that they could have determined what was going on with Mister Bimpong that evening, and they chose not to," Gross said.

Several speakers pressed the council to act now; Mayor (name used functionally at the meeting) repeatedly acknowledged the community’s concerns but reminded the room that the case is in litigation and the council could only listen, not engage in back‑and‑forth or comment on the specifics. "Because this topic involves ongoing litigation, the city cannot provide additional comment at this time," the mayor said as the council closed the public‑comment period.

After public comment the council moved through its agenda. In old business the council approved a resolution awarding the competitive sale of $1,315,000 in general obligation housing improvement bonds (Series 2025B) to finance improvements in the Widgeon Woods housing improvement area. Jessica Green of Northland Securities said the bonds carried a true interest cost of 4.82 percent, final maturity of Feb. 1, 2046, and an optional call date of Feb. 1, 2033. Councilmember Hansen moved approval and the council adopted the resolution by voice vote.

On land‑use items, the council approved three new business actions in the same meeting: a preliminary subdivision (Woods of Witham Lane second addition) to shift a lot line between 4070 Dodd Road and 654 Witham Lane; a package approving a comprehensive guide plan amendment, rezoning to PD (planned development) and a preliminary plan to allow a 16‑bed residential treatment facility at 1581 Century Point (the "Eagan Hope & Wellness" project); and a conditional‑use permit allowing outdoor storage of 20 trucks and 10 trailers at 3321 Mike Collins Drive (10 Roads Express). Each motion carried on voice vote and each item was noted to return for final plat or final plan development as required.

Residents who spoke about the 1581 Century Point proposal asked whether the decision was final and how the program would be managed and funded. Patricia Pascuzzi, a homeowner, said she supported transitional housing but asked for more information on operations and oversight. Applicant Ayesha Noor said Eagan Hope & Wellness (established 2018) is a licensed outpatient mental‑health provider planning a licensed intensive residential treatment program; she noted Dakota County has issued a statement of need and state regulators (Department of Human Services and Minnesota Department of Health) will license the facility.

Council and staff emphasized the limits of the land‑use review. "Tonight we are acting on land use — whether or not something can go on the site," the mayor said, adding that final plan development documents and a PD agreement will return to council review.

The council also recognized two new firefighters in a badge‑pinning and swearing‑in ceremony and approved its consent agenda, which included personnel actions; the mayor noted the city’s new police chief, Salim Omari, is scheduled to be sworn in Dec. 2.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution awarding sale of $1,315,000 general obligation housing improvement bonds, Series 2025B — approved (voice vote). - Preliminary subdivision: Woods of Witham Lane second addition (4070 Dodd Road / 654 Witham Lane) — approved (voice vote), subject to APC conditions. - Comprehensive guide plan amendment, rezoning to PD and preliminary plan development for Eagan Hope & Wellness (1581 Century Point) — all approved (voice votes), subject to APC conditions; will return for final plan development and PD agreement. - Conditional use permit for outdoor storage of 20 trucks and 10 trailers at 3321 Mike Collins Drive (10 Roads Express) — approved (voice vote), subject to APC conditions.

What’s next

Because the Bimpong matter is in litigation, the council will not comment further on that case; procedural land‑use approvals for the Century Point site will return to council when final plan documents and a PD agreement are complete. The council also noted community events including a Dec. 2 tree‑lighting at the community center.

(Reporting by the Eagan City Council meeting transcript; quotes and attributions limited to speakers who identified themselves during the meeting.)