StoryConstitutional Challenge to Minnesota Criminal ProcedureJune 18, 2026

Lakeville Council accepts $6,200 fire department donation

The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved a donation of two life-saving defibrillators from the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation at its September 15 meeting. The council also heard from civil rights advocates challenging Minnesota's criminal procedures and received updates on community biking initiatives.

Published Jun 18, 2026

The council's main action was accepting two automated external defibrillators (AEDs), valued at approximately $6,200, from the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation for the fire department. The donation passed unanimously as part of the consent agenda and will enhance the city's emergency response capabilities.

During the public comment period, two civil rights litigators from Washington DC—Jessica Saxon and Tan Wowing—presented a legal notice to the council. They argued that Minnesota's practice of charging defendants by information rather than grand jury indictment violates the U.S. Constitution's Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. They warned the council of potential litigation at the U.S. Supreme Court if the issue is not resolved locally, citing federal statutes on deprivation of rights under color of law.

Howard Schneider, a community advocate, invited residents to the 17th annual Tour of Lakeville Community Bike Ride this Saturday, featuring an 8-mile family-friendly route and a more challenging 20-mile option. He highlighted a new route section crossing Cedar Avenue to East Lake Community Park and utilizing the North Creek Greenway Trail. Schneider also announced a planned tunnel near Antlers Park to improve trail safety and thanked city staff for a new ordinance addressing e-bike and motorized bicycle safety on trails.

Council Member Dan Walter read a proclamation declaring October as Manufacturing Month in Lakeville. The proclamation noted that manufacturing contributes $58.8 billion to Minnesota's gross domestic product, generates $24.6 billion in exports, and supports 320,000 jobs statewide. Locally, the sector provides nearly 3,000 jobs and over $217.2 million in annual wages.

The council concluded by voting unanimously to adjourn to a closed session to discuss legal strategy related to a pending lawsuit: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy versus the City of Lakeville and Olm Holdings One LLC. This private discussion was permitted under Minnesota state statute.

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Votes (5)

Citizens Comments - Constitutional Challenge to Minnesota Criminal Procedure

No official action, citizen comment received.

Two civil rights litigators, Jessica Saxon and Tan Wowing, addressed the council to provide notice of alleged constitutional violations by the state of Minnesota, specifically regarding its practice of charging by information instead of grand jury indictment. They cited multiple US Constitutional amendments and federal statutes, arguing that public officials are committing crimes under color of law and warning of impending litigation at the US Supreme Court if the issue is not resolved locally.

Citizens Comments - Lakeville Community Bike Ride and Trail Infrastructure

No official action, citizen comment received.

Howard Schneider, a citizen advocate, invited the council and community to the 17th annual Tour of Lakeville Community Bike Ride, detailing an 8-mile family-friendly route and a more challenging 20-mile route. He announced a new route section crossing Cedar Avenue to East Lake Community Park and utilizing the North Creek Greenway Trail. Schneider also provided an update on a planned tunnel near Antlers Park to enhance trail safety and thanked city staff for a new ordinance addressing e-bike and motorized bicycle safety on trails.

Proclamation of Manufacturing Month

Proclamation Read

Council Member Dan Walter read a proclamation declaring October as Manufacturing Month in the city of Lakeville. The proclamation highlighted the manufacturing industry's substantial economic contributions to Minnesota, including $58.8 billion to the state's GDP, $24.6 billion in exports, $26.7 billion in wages, and 320,000 jobs. It specifically noted Lakeville's manufacturing sector provides nearly 3,000 jobs and over $217.2 million in annual wages.

Resolution Accepting Donation for Fire Department AEDs (Consent Agenda Item 6D)

Consent agenda passed unanimously

Moved by Unknown Council Member [00:21:40] · Seconded by Unknown Council Member [00:21:44]

As part of the consent agenda, City staff highlighted item 6D, a resolution accepting a donation from the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation. The donation consisted of two AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for the fire department, valued at approximately $6,200, demonstrating continued community support for public safety.

Adjournment to Closed Session for Legal Strategy Update

Motion to adjourn to closed session passed unanimously

Moved by Unknown Council Member [00:22:54] · Seconded by Unknown Council Member [00:23:10]

The council moved to adjourn to a closed session to discuss legal strategy related to the lawsuit 'Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy versus the City of Lakeville and Olm Holdings One LLC.' This session was held pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3B, allowing for private discussion of privileged legal matters.

Notable Quotes (10)

Clause one of amendment five to the United States Constitution says that no person should be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on presentment or indictment by a grand jury.

Jessica Saxon [00:00:46]
Citizens Comments - Constitutional Challenge to Minnesota Criminal Procedure

An emolement violation is when you pay public officials to commit a crime.

Jessica Saxon [00:03:00]
Citizens Comments - Constitutional Challenge to Minnesota Criminal Procedure

The first crime is title 18 USC subsection 24.2, two which is deprivation of rights under color of law.

Tan Wowing [00:06:40]
Citizens Comments - Constitutional Challenge to Minnesota Criminal Procedure

I must remind you that the Constitution of the United States of America is the foundation, not a judge-made ruling.

Tan Wowing [00:08:44]
Citizens Comments - Constitutional Challenge to Minnesota Criminal Procedure

I wish to invite all of you, your friends, family, neighbors, staff, people as well to join us this Saturday for the 17th annual tour of Lakeville Community Bike Ride.

Howard Schneider [00:11:51]
Citizens Comments - Lakeville Community Bike Ride and Trail Infrastructure

the county will undertake a revision of how we cross that trail, which makes me very nervous, by the way, and I use that quite a lot. uh and there will be a tunnel there and that will contribute a lot to uh safety and uh de-stress all the bike riders uh in our city.

Howard Schneider [00:15:26]
Citizens Comments - Lakeville Community Bike Ride and Trail Infrastructure

First, I want to thank uh the council uh the staff people such as the uh police chief uh and the park and wreck uh director for bringing forth a new ordinance concerning safety on our trails, focusing on ebikes and the motorized bicycles and so forth.

Howard Schneider [00:16:35]
Citizens Comments - Lakeville Community Bike Ride and Trail Infrastructure

Now therefore, the Lakeville City Council does hereby proclaim that the month of October shall be observed as manufacturing month in the city of Lakeville.

Council Member Walter [00:19:54]
Proclamation of Manufacturing Month

6D is a resolution accepting a donation from the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation. They are graciously donating two AEDs to our fire department. That's about $6,200.

Mr. Miller [00:20:53]
Resolution Accepting Donation for Fire Department AEDs (Consent Agenda Item 6D)

close session to discuss legal strategy related to the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy versus the City of Lakeville and Olm Holdings One LLC lawsuit pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3B.

Mayor [00:22:42]
Adjournment to Closed Session for Legal Strategy Update

Ordinances & Resolutions (14)

USCS rules of civil procedureOther

Rules cited by a civil rights advocate as context for providing notice.

Rule 17Other

Rule of the United States Supreme Court cited by a civil rights advocate.

Rule 20Other

Rule of the United States Supreme Court cited by a civil rights advocate.

Amendment Five, Clause OneOther

Part of the US Constitution cited regarding grand jury indictment requirements.

Article One, Section TenOther

Part of the US Constitution cited regarding emolument violations and impairment of contract obligations.

14th AmendmentOther

Part of the US Constitution cited regarding abridging privileges or immunities of citizens.

Minnesota ConstitutionOther

Referred to as an 'inferior constitution' enacting laws permitting charging by information instead of indictment.

Title 18 USC subsection 24.2Other

Federal statute cited concerning deprivation of rights under color of law.

Title 18 USC subsection 241Other

Federal statute cited concerning conspiracy to deprive of rights.

Herado versus CaliforniaOther

An 1884 case warned against relying upon as a foundation for constitutional interpretation.

Proclamation for Manufacturing MonthOther

Official declaration by the City Council observing October as Manufacturing Month.

Resolution accepting a donationResolution

Resolution accepting two AEDs from the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation.

Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3BOther

Statute cited for authorizing a closed session to discuss legal strategy.

new ordinance concerning safety on our trailsOrdinance

An ordinance focusing on ebikes and motorized bicycles on city trails.

Source document

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Other Topics from This Document

  • Community Bike Ride and Trail Development Updates

  • Proclamation of Manufacturing Month

  • Public Safety Foundation Donation Acceptance

  • Legal Strategy Discussion in Closed Session

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