Roseville council asks governor for temporary eviction and foreclosure moratorium, adds federal ID priority

The Roseville City Council on Jan. 26 unanimously approved a resolution and authorized a letter to Gov. Tim Walz asking for a temporary eviction and foreclosure moratorium to protect residents and small landlords affected by recent federal immigration enforcement actions.

Mayor Rowe opened the meeting by reading a council statement condemning recent U.S. Department of Homeland Security enforcement actions in Roseville and across the country, saying the operations have "stand in direct opposition to the city of Roseville's core values" and have left parts of the community "exhausted by the fear and disruption." The council pledged to "use every lawful tool and influence within our authority to support and protect our community."

City Manager Ben Trudgen framed the moratorium as an urgent, high-priority request that also include coordinated state guidance and financial resources. Trudgen read draft language that asked the governor for "a temporary moratorium period with clear state guidance and coordinated implementation and provision of financial resources including granting authority and flexibility to cities to utilize LAHA funding to assist impacted renters and homeowners." Council members directed staff to add "foreclosure" alongside "eviction" in the final language.

Residents and advocates urged swift action and stronger language. Callie, a Roseville resident who compared the city's draft to Minneapolis's more pointed resolution, told the council the local language felt "soft" and urged more forceful wording to "stand with our neighbors." Jessie Austin O'Neil, another resident, urged speed, noting precedent for a moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic and warning that many tenants face impending rent due dates.

Council members debated scope and implementation details. Councilmember Schroeder said assistance should include homeowners and small "mom-and-pop" landlords as well as renters; several council members and staff discussed potential funding sources, including flexibility in the state's housing-related sales tax allocations or administrative approval through Minnesota Housing. Councilmember Bauer and others emphasized balancing aid so funds reach renters first and then landlords as appropriate.

The motion to adopt the resolution and approve sending the letter to the governor, with the agreed edits and inclusion of 'foreclosure,' was made by Councilmember Graf and seconded by Councilmember Strachan. The council voted unanimously to approve the letter and adopt the resolution; signatures will be finalized before the letter is sent and the resolution will be signed the following day.

The council also added a federal legislative priority urging federal representatives to pursue legislation or policies requiring federal enforcement officers to identify themselves (with exceptions for legitimate undercover operations). Council members suggested working through the League of Minnesota Cities and national municipal networks to amplify the request.

Votes at a glance
- Approve tonight's agenda: motion by Councilmember Graf, second by Councilmember Strachan — approved unanimously.
- Proclamation: Black History Month (February 2026) — approved unanimously.
- Proclamation: Optimist Day — approved unanimously.
- Accept Parks & Recreation donations totaling $29,081 (plus an additional $115,000 accepted earlier in the year, bringing the annual total near $145,000): approved unanimously.
- Adopt resolution and authorize letter to governor asking for temporary eviction and foreclosure moratorium and related funding/guidance: motion by Councilmember Graf, second by Councilmember Strachan — approved unanimously.
- Consent agenda (including $2,218,381.60 in payments, short-term rental licenses, Willow Pond environmental assessment agreement of $19,000, and other items): approved unanimously.

What happens next
City staff will finalize edits to the letter and resolution, collect signatures, and send the letter to the governor; staff will return to the council on Feb. 9 with a final list of legislative priorities for formal adoption and report back on proposed mechanisms for distributing financial assistance to impacted renters, homeowners and small landlords.

Attributions
- Mayor Rowe read the council's public statement condemning DHS actions and led the meeting.
- City Manager Ben Trudgen presented and summarized the draft legislative priorities and the draft moratorium language.
- Public commenters who spoke to the moratorium and enforcement identification included Callie, Jessie Austin O'Neil, Carrie Gelli, Angela Byrne and others.