DEPARTMENT: Office of the County Manager
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Closed Executive Session: Discussion Of Legal Strategy In Rosenbaum v. Dakota County et al.
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Hold a closed executive session.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Attorney has advised that prior to closing a County Board meeting, pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. Ch. 13D, the County Board must resolve by majority vote to close the meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
The County Manager has recommended that a closed executive session be held pursuant to attorney-client privilege during the Dakota County Board meeting of February 17, 2026, to discuss the following:
• Legal strategy in Legal Strategy in Rosenbaum v. Dakota County et al.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Fiscal impact will be discussed in closed session.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Kingsley Fifi Bimpong (Bimpong) was arrested by police officers employed by the City of Eagan and was subsequently an inmate in the Dakota County jail; and
WHEREAS, Bimpong suffered a medical emergency and died; and
WHEREAS, James Rosenbaum was appointed wrongful-death trustee for Bimpong’s heirs and next-of-kin (Plaintiff); and
WHEREAS, plaintiff commenced a lawsuit against certain police officers employed by the City of Eagan, certain correctional deputies and officers employed by Dakota County, and Dakota County alleging, among other things, that they were deliberately indifferent to Bimpong’s serious medical needs; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners (Board) seeks legal advice from the County Attorney with respect to litigation strategy, the public disclosure of which would be detrimental to Dakota County’s defense of this matter; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(b), the Board by resolution may close a meeting as permitted by the attorney-client privilege.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby closes the County Board meeting on February 17, 2026, and recesses to Conference room 3A to discuss with the County Attorney the legal strategy.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Heidi Welsch
Author: Jeni Reynolds