I am often recognized as one of the few Latine elected officials in Minnesota. But to me, diversity, equity, and inclusion means helping everyone, from all backgrounds, feel included in the way our government gets things done. I have personally invited over 125 community members to city meetings each year. I continually advocate for seniors, for renters, for local businesses, and for the health and safety of everyone.
As mayor, here are some of the improvements I have helped bring to Columbia Heights since taking office.
2021
Smarter spending
- Approved hiring an IT director to relieve the Finance department
- Increased staffing for rental inspections
- Hired a full time building official
- Raised seasonal worker wages
Improved technology and services
- Updated utility billing to have automatic online payments.
- Updated the city website to include nonprofit listings
- Approved new finance and HR software
- Implemented a full-time, 2-person Communications team
Healthier spaces
- Approved budget for the Silver Lake boat landing and retention pond reconstruction
- Approved additional bicycle lanes
- Participated in a MNDOT PEL study for Central Ave
- Volunteered to make our city the Minnesota leader of the Adopt-A-Drain program
- Worked to the extend the mask mandate
- Participated in the vaccination clinic with the school district during the pandemic
- Eliminated indoor tobacco sampling
- Signed the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge and continued the Monarch Festival
Modernized public safety
- Introduced police bola wraps as alternative to tasers
- Acquired a grant to hire social workers
- Improved the City of Hilltop police and fire contracts, including managing safety standards and inspections
Thriving local business
- Updated our liquor licensing to remove requirements for food sales
More representation
- Updated boards and commissions to have term limits
- Instituted our first ever land acknowledgement
- Created the Mayor’s Rapid Response team
- Started the Youth Commission
- Introduced the Just Deeds Project to eliminate redlining language
- Signed our first official PRIDE proclamation
- Helped plan our 100 year centennial celebration.
- Sewed 3 quilt squares for the city quilt
- Created a cultural heritage festival event hosted at the high school
2022
Smarter spending
- Worked towards increased rental density
Improved technology and services
- Instituted the CodeRED system
- Hired a full time IT director
- Modern computer equipment
- Digital transformation of legacy microfiche records
- Cloud backups
Healthier spaces
- Completed improvements to the municipal parking ramp
- Completed a new affordable apartment building
- Introduced No Mow May
- Reinvigorated the Friends of Kordiak Park group
- Discussed natural landscapes as an alternative to grass lawns
- Discussed single family rental moratorium
Modernized public safety
- Hired our first social worker to work with the Public Safety department
- Approved a zodiac boat for Fire Department
Thriving local business
- Began discussing edible cannabinoid legalization
More representation
- Eliminated overdue library fines
- Deferred assessments for senior citizens, retired, and disabled people
- Honored CHPD Officer Curtis Ramsdell at the Minnesota Police Officer Memorial in St. Paul
- Introduced Officer Sanjin Boskovic following his new citizenship
- Represented Columbia Heights as a foreign dignitary in Łomianki, Poland
2023
Smarter spending
- Applied for $10M for replacing our Public Works building on the State Bonding Tour
- Raised compensation for council members and mayor (although still less than minimum wage)
Improved technology and services
- Approved digital transformation of our police and fire systems
- Approved Spanish and Somali language translations of the city newsletter
- Approved 81 language translations of the city website
Healthier spaces
- Eliminated smoking in all public parks
- Completed construction of a pickleball court
- Updated winter parking to take into account climate changes and community needs
- Approved Safe Streets for All – Citywide safety action plan
- Supported menstrual hygiene products in schools
- Approved the creation of more public art
- Approved functional art in the form of public benches made from recycled wind turbine blades
- Signed a gun storage safety resolution and supported Be Smart gun lock giveaways
- Helped mitigate Eurasian milfiol in Silver Lake
- Approved a cap on single family rental
Modernized public safety
- Hired our second social worker to work with the Public Safety department
- Approved evolution of the SRO program into Youth Engagement Officer
- Supported the Pool with a Cop police community outreach event
Thriving local business
- Met with US Small Business Administration and Second Gentleman Doug Emmer
More representation
- Began working on city wide staff diversity training
- Signed our first ever Junteenth proclamation
- Introduced another sister city in Galdogob, Somalia
- Accepted the Warsaw Uprising US Airlift monument plan at Huset Park
- Started the Sustainability Commission
- Started the Veterans Day celebration and flag raising ceremonies at City Hall with local Scout troops
- Supported the Pets in the Park neighborhood event
- Honored CHPD Officer Curtis Ramsdell at the Minnesota Police Officer Memorial in St. Paul
- Supported new information on the city website to include both renters rights and landlord rights.
- Represented Columbia Heights as a foreign dignitary in Łomianki, Poland
2024
Smarter spending
- Acquired $25M in funding from MNDOT for Central Ave corridor redevelopment
- Acquired a $400K federal grant for sanitary sewer improvements
- Acquired a grant for Safer Streets for All
- Acquired an 80/20 split grant to construct safe routes (sidewalks) to schools
- Acquired a grant to construct an outdoor sport court at Sullivan Park
- Approved updated water meters which will help us catch slow leaks, saving money
- Hired our first ever city lobbyist to advocate for funding of our Public Works building replacement
- Raised salaries for election judges
Healthier spaces
- Replaced decayed pavement with concrete in 10 alleys
- Set general development standards for tree preservation and city forestry diversity
- Helped mitigate Eurasian milfiol in Silver Lake
- Approved Anoka County buying a building to create an affordable housing project
- Approved the creation of additional parking at the library
- Outlawed inhumane pet stores
- Introduced a liquor store anti-litter campaign
- Advocated for continued programming at Silverwood Park and succeeded
- Installed new rain gardens as part of 37th redevelopment
- Legalized Accessory Dwelling Units
- Decriminalized citations for landlords, making it easier for them to resolve rental property issues
- Hosted Art to Change the World’s Mississippi River Pearl art show at City Hall and Library
- Implemented a residential real estate Point of Sale Inspections program that has already caught 70 illegal flippers since June 1
- Worked with the Regional Council of Mayors to apply for grants to reduce methane and greenhouse gas emissions across our region
More representation
- Hosted Senator Tina Smith’s Indigenous People’s Business Meeting
- Passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Gaza
- Signed a resolution urging the Department of Homeland Security to grant Ecuador Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Met with the Consul General of China to explore trade opportunities and learned about China’s significant role in supporting Minnesota’s exports
- Signed a proclamation in honor of world Hijab day
- Installed and dedicated the Warsaw Uprising US Airlift Memorial
- Held a ceremony to present and acknowledge our new Minnesota state flag
- Honored CHPD Officer Curtis Ramsdell at the Minnesota Police Officer Memorial in St. Paul
- Hosted an infrastructure meeting with Congresswoman Omar and Representative Erin Koegel, bringing together 30+ stakeholders including County Commissioner Meisner and a US Department of Transportation representative
- Attended the Latine Governor’s meeting
- Coordinated cooperation between Anoka Workforce Development and the Columbia Heights Youth Commission
Modernized public safety
- Hired a new police chief
- Increased firefighter and police officer pay
- Hired the first woman police captain in Anoka county
- Hired the first Somali police sergeant in Anoka county
- Hired the first two Black sergeants in Anoka county
- Acquired a grant for a therapy dog for public safety department
- Updated street parking and overnight parking ordinances
Improved technology and services
- Completed the new city hall
- Hired a new city manager
- Began replacing city vehicles with EVs
- Installed free EV chargers at City Hall
- Approved digital transformation of property records, building permits, city project planning, and many other legacy systems
- Hired an additional city building inspector
- Simplified ordinance standards to eliminate red tape and empower staff to handle community development in a more timely and efficient manner
Thriving local business
- Welcomed several new businesses including:
- A gym
- Restaurants
- Coffee shops
- A music store
- A brewery
2025
Smarter spending
- Repaired or rebuilt 8 alleys
- Acquired a $106,000 grant for the Residential Recycling Program with Anoka County
- Received the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS® Key Communities Grant
- Implemented the citywide water meter replacement project
Improved technology and services
- Established and implemented a Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation Plan
- Added a bilingual community connector to city staff
Healthier spaces
- Repaved the City Hall and Library parking lots
- Built a Fitness Court Studio at Sullivan Lake Park
- Brought public art to the fitness court
- Passed an ordinance restricting alcohol in Silver Lake Beach Park
- Authorized the Green Corps Host Site Agreement
- Reconstructed 37th Avenue and 37th Place from Central Avenue to Stinson Boulevard
- Achieved GreenStep Cities Step 3 — a major milestone in environmental sustainability
More representation
- Hosted a special envoy to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
- Recognized the Tibetan Uprising with a proclamation received by the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota
- Passed a resolution calling for the presidential administration to end its campaign of mass deportations and family separation
- Established a Senior Citizens, Retired, and Disabled Persons Hardship Special Assessment Deferral
Modernized public safety
- Provided Naloxone access at every city location, alongside AED installations
- Passed an ordinance prohibiting flavored tobacco sales beginning January 2028
2026
Smarter spending
- Secured $850K in funding for the Municipal Services Center
- Adopted a Capital Improvement Plan for replacing the Public Works building
- Adopted a Sustainable Purchasing Policy for all city purchases
- Approved solar and lighting improvements for select city facilities
- Established a relationship with Better Futures for curbside compost collection
- Passed an ordinance prohibiting cryptocurrency and virtual currency kiosks
- Established a broader city employee recognition program
More representation
- Passed a resolution calling on Governor Walz to issue an Eviction Moratorium
- Passed a resolution calling for an end to unlawful ICE and CBP surges across the country, and urging Congress to require meaningful guardrails on Department of Homeland Security funding
- Updated the city Charter regarding recall petitions
- Reaffirmed Columbia Heights’ adoption of Minnesota’s new state flag and seal
- Adopted new inclusive street banners
Modernized public safety
- Cancelled the service contract with Flock Automated License Plate Readers
- Amended the city Charter to remove the outdated Mayoral Oversight of the Police Department provision