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Columbia Heights seeks legal guidance on a 'just cause' eviction ordinance before drafting final language
Summary
Council discussed legal risks and precedents after a City Manager update on a proposed Just Cause eviction ordinance; members asked staff to consult the City Attorney about a 2021 St. Paul injunction, state preemption, enforcement options, and possible task-force refinement of ordinance language.
City Manager Aaron Chirpich briefed the Columbia Heights council on a proposed Just Cause eviction ordinance and asked the Council to consider legal questions before moving forward.
Councilmember Rachel James requested that staff consult the City Attorney about a 2021 court-ordered injunction in St. Paul and asked for clarity on how Minnesota law compares with other states and the risk of legal challenges or state preemption. "I would like to hear from the City Attorney regarding the 2021 court-ordered injunction issued on St. Paul," James said, adding that the Council should understand differences in enforcement and the role of nonrenewals.
Councilmembers discussed whether to pursue administrative tools such as adverse rental licenses or fines, and whether the City should convene a small task force or hold public meetings with landlords and tenants to refine language and enforcement mechanisms. The Council reached consensus for City Manager Chirpich to consult the City Attorney about whether a Council task force or public meetings would be appropriate before bringing a refined draft back to the full Council.
