HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/01/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Jan. 5, 2026
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance.
b. Roll call.
Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Jim Engelking, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda
Farris, Paul Baudhuin, Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Council members absent: none
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), community
development director and interim building and energy director (Ms. Barton), public works
director (Mr. Hall), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), city clerk (Ms. Kennedy), communication
manager (Mr. Sandell), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), communications and technology
director (Ms. Smith), HR director (Ms. Vorpahl)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Bashore, to approve the
agenda. The motion passed 7-0.
3. Presentations.
a. Oath of office for newly elected officials
Ms. Kennedy administered the oath of office to those elected at the November 4, 2025
municipal general election: Council Member Bashore (Ward 1), Council Member Engelking
(Ward 2), Council Member Budd (Ward 3), and Council Member Brausen (Ward 4).
Mayor Mohamed welcomed the new council members and recognized several dignitaries
present, including council members from the neighboring Cities of Minnetonka and Hopkins,
former Council Members Rog and Dumalag, and former Mayor Jake Spano. Mayor Mohamed
thanked the family members in attendance for their support of the elected officials.
Council Member Bashore expressed appreciation to city staff for the thorough onboarding
process over the past two months. Council Member Engelking seconded these remarks.
Council Member Brausen thanked the voters of Ward 4 for giving him the opportunity to serve
again. He also thanked his campaign volunteers and his predecessors on the city council for
their history of good governance.
Docusign Envelope ID: F221114C-6D9C-4E79-B184-1F438C8D561D
City council meeting -2- Jan. 5, 2025
b. Proclamation observing National Day of Racial Healing
Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation declaring Jan. 20, 2026, as the National Day of Racial
Healing for the City of St. Louis Park. She highlighted the city's fourth annual community
gathering focused on healing through youth-led dialogue, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026,
from 4 to 7:00 p.m. at the Westwood Hills Nature Center.
Mayor Mohamed noted the importance of community gathering and sharing as part of the
healing process.
Council Member Farris added that she attended last year's event and found it valuable to
connect with others. She commended the students who facilitated the discussions.
c. Proclamation observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation declaring Jan. 19, 2026, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day
in the City of St. Louis Park, encouraging residents to recommit themselves to Dr. King's dream
through acts of service to others.
Council Member Baudhuin expressed appreciation for the proclamation, noting he learned
about Dr. King during his time as a student in Minneapolis public schools before the national
holiday existed. He highlighted King's work on labor equality and encouraged people to read
"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" on the holiday, emphasizing the letter’s relevance to nonviolent
civil disobedience.
Council Member Budd recognized the BIPOC Employee Resource Group for their support of
both proclamations.
d. Recognition of donations
Mayor Mohamed recognized two donations: $250 from Park Coin in support of the Fire
Department, and $250 from Marshall O'Brien for a donation of food and food preparation for
on-duty police, fire and dispatch personnel.
Mayor Mohamed expressed her thanks on behalf of the city.
4. Minutes
a. Special study session meeting minutes of November 17, 2025
b. City council meeting minutes of December 1, 2025
c. Study session meeting minutes of December 1, 2025
d. Special city council meeting minutes of December 8, 2025
e. City council meeting minutes of December 15, 2025
Council Member Brausen requested an amendment to item 4e, correcting the spelling of his
name on page 6.
Docusign Envelope ID: F221114C-6D9C-4E79-B184-1F438C8D561D
City council meeting -3- Jan. 5, 2025
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve
the special study session meeting minutes of Nov. 17, 2025, the city council meeting minutes of
Dec. 1, 2025, the study session meeting minutes of Dec. 1, 2025, the special city council meeting
minutes of Dec. 8, 2025, as presented and the city council meeting minutes of Dec. 15, 2025, as
amended.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Consent items.
a. Resolution No. 26-001 appointing council members to serve as mayor pro tem
b. Resolution No. 26-002 authorizing bank signatories
c. Resolution No. 26-003 declaring city council meeting dates for 2026
d. Resolution No. 26-004 declaring official city newspaper
e. Resolution No. 26-005 declaring official depositories
f. Approve city disbursements
g. Resolution No. 26-006 accepting donations to the fire and police departments
h. Resolution No. 26-007 authorizing final payment for the 2024 Pavement Management
Project (4024-1000) - Ward 2
i. Approve professional services agreement for 2028 Pavement Management project
(4028-1000) - Ward 2
j. Resolution No. 26-008 approving 2026-2028 IAFF #993 labor agreement
k. Approve temporary on-sale liquor license - Beth El Synagogue
Council Member Brausen highlighted item 5i, the Professional Services Agreement for the 2028
Pavement Management Project. He noted how far in advance the city plans for these projects.
He also called attention to item 5j, the 2026-2028 International Association of Firefighters labor
agreement, thanking both staff and the union for reaching an equitable agreement.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the
consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
6. Public hearings – none.
7. Regular business – none.
8. Communications and Announcements.
Ms. Keller shared the following announcements:
• A public meeting regarding proposed redevelopment on the vacant lot at the northwest
corner of Minnetonka Boulevard and Highway 100 on Jan. 7 from 6-7 PM at Parkway 25
apartments. The development is proposed to be a 33-unit market-rate apartment
building.
Docusign Envelope ID: F221114C-6D9C-4E79-B184-1F438C8D561D
City council meeting -4- Jan. 5, 2025
• City offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King
Jr. Day. The next regular city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
• A New Year's gnome hunt in city parks throughout January, with clues provided to help
residents locate them.
Council Member Baudhuin commended the Public Works Department for their excellent snow
removal efforts.
Mayor Mohamed wished everyone a Happy New Year.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
These minutes were created with the assistance of a generative AI transcript service, then edited
and finalized by a city staff person.
Docusign Envelope ID: F221114C-6D9C-4E79-B184-1F438C8D561D