HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/01/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Jan. 12, 2026
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Jim Engelking, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda
Farris, Paul Baudhuin, Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Council members absent: none
Staff present: Ms. Keller (city manager), Ms. Cruver (finance director), Ms. Brodeen
(administrative services director), Mr. Porter-Nelson (redevelopment administrator), Ms.
Monson (economic development manager), Mr. Coleman (community engagement
coordinator), Mr. Walther (planning manager)
Guests: Fabrizio Montermini, Managing Director; Paola Bernardi Sipe, President, Sentinel
Management Company; Burt Coffin, ESG Architecture
Mayor Mohamed acknowledged the recent loss of Renée Good, who was shot and killed by an
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Mayor Mohamed called for a moment of
silence to honor Ms. Good’s life.
Mayor Mohamed shared that she had been in conversations with mayors from surrounding
cities including Hopkins, Richfield, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn
Center, Golden Valley, Minneapolis and Bloomington. She and Ms. Keller plan to meet with city
managers and police chiefs to discuss the situation and share information.
Council Member Budd expressed concern from residents who were asking what they could do
and what the city was doing. She suggested creating something more specific on the
community resources page related to the current situation rather than having residents search
through the extensive list of organizations currently available.
Council Member Farris shared that she had been in contact with friends of Somali heritage in St.
Louis Park who were afraid. She plans to meet with them to understand their needs. She
expressed concern for children walking to bus stops alone and the need for guidance on how to
respond if approached by ICE.
Council Member Baudhuin described the situation as chaotic with ICE agents intimidating
people. He expressed concern about city properties and whether the city had policies regarding
ICE presence at places like the nature center.
Council Member Bashore stated that residents feel local governments are not supporting them
against people who are breaking the law. He emphasized the need to support residents in any
way possible.
Council Member Engelking noted the violence and brutality displayed by ICE agents as
evidenced by videos and news reports. He suggested the city invest resources to protect the
election team to ensure the November 2026 elections can be conducted safely and properly.
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Ms. Keller addressed several points raised by city council members. She shared that staff would
create a coordinated communications channel to ensure council members receive consistent
information. Staff is also working on improving the community resources page and had
instructed their lobbyist team to inform them about any announcements that federal funding
might be stopped. Staff were meeting with small businesses and with staff from Minneapolis
and St. Paul to learn from their approaches.
Mayor Mohamed raised a question about the legality of local police arresting ICE agents, which
had been mentioned by some residents. Ms. Keller explained there is an intersection between
the inability of law enforcement to interfere with another agency's legal enforcement and the
duty to intervene when harm is being caused.
Discussion items
1. Wooddale Station redevelopment update – Ward 2
Mr. Porter-Nelson presented a redevelopment proposal for the Wooddale Station site at 5950
and 5802 36th Street West from Sentinel Management Company. He explained the site
includes the EDA-owned former Nash frame store property (1.68 acres) and an adjacent
privately-owned commercial building (Standal Properties).
Mr. Porter-Nelson reviewed the history of the site, noting the request for proposals issued in
2019 sought substantial affordable housing including multicultural living spaces, small-scale
businesses on the ground floor, attractive architecture, green features and transit and bicycle
accommodations. He mentioned two prior development agreements that were terminated -
one with Saturday Properties/Anderson Companies in 2023, and another with Roers Companies
in early 2025.
Mr. Montermini presented Sentinel Management Company’s proposal, noting the company has
been in business since 1972 and focuses on multi-family apartments, retail and medical
properties. He emphasized their strategy of long-term ownership and local focus.
Mr. Coffin from ESG architecture described the proposed five and six-story building featuring a
parking garage wrapped with active uses and a public plaza. He explained the retail spaces
would be double-height on the first two floors with housing above. The design includes
stepping down the building on the north and east sides creating a south facing courtyard that
would receive good sunlight.
Mr. Montermini highlighted that the parking garage would be hidden, with no surface or
underground parking, which would help avoid costs associated with environmental
contamination on the site.
Ms. Monson noted she had spoken with Standal Properties regarding their interest in
redeveloping their site and had reworked their leases to include redevelopment clauses.
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Mr. Porter-Nelson indicated Sentinel Management Company anticipates a financing gap due to
extraordinary costs including public improvements, environmental cleanup and affordable
housing. They expect to apply for financial assistance from the city.
Council Member Engelking welcomed the development team to Ward 2 and expressed hope
that this third attempt would succeed. He appreciated the open design providing visibility to
the light rail station and suggested they consider how to prevent commuters from using the
parking facility all day.
Council Member Baudhuin asked about the distribution of affordable units among two- and
three-bedroom apartments. Mr. Montermini confirmed they intended to distribute affordable
units proportionally with at least one three-bedroom affordable unit at 50% Area Median
Income (AMI) and one at 60% AMI.
Council Member Brausen asked about parking and ride-sharing accommodations given the
transit-oriented nature of the development. He also encouraged making more of the three-
bedroom units affordable as those are in high demand for families with lower incomes.
Council Member Farris supported having more affordable three-bedroom units and confirmed
there would be studio apartments included in the project.
Council Member Budd asked about the timeframe for the $2 million in grants and the overall
project timeline. Mr. Porter-Nelson explained that granting agencies were generally willing to
extend deadlines for viable projects. Ms. Monson noted the process would take approximately
six to nine months for city approvals followed by financing and construction.
Council Member Bashore expressed concerns about traffic impacts and appreciated that staff
were working with tenants of the existing commercial property to find relocation options.
Mayor Mohamed expressed support for the project and appreciated that Sentinel Management
Company would be both the developer and manager of the property, which would help ensure
the continuity of values and agreements.
2. Public art policy
Ms. Brodeen presented a proposed public art policy for the city. She provided background on
public art in St. Louis Park noting the 2020 adoption of a strategic roadmap for advancing arts
and culture.
Ms. Brodeen outlined goals for the policy including creating a shared understanding ensuring
public art in all areas of the city including community voice maintaining a sustainable policy and
properly resourcing public art.
Ms. Cruver explained the funding approach which would plan for an additional budget equal to
1% of above-ground construction costs from significant capital improvement projects to public
art. Eligible funding sources would include bond proceeds property tax levy or potentially
excess franchise fees.
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Ms. Brodeen described the selection process, which involves partnering with a qualified arts
organization, issuing a formal request for qualifications and organizing a selection committee
that includes community members, staff and maintenance personnel.
Upcoming projects included art at the Dakota Bridge site, the Oxford/Louisiana reconstruction
area and light rail stations.
Council Member Farris suggested including children in future art projects.
Mayor Mohamed supported the policy highlighting how public art can transform spaces and
make them more lively and suggested incorporating cultural aspects representing the diverse
communities in St. Louis Park.
Council Member Engelking suggested including privately funded - but publicly accessible - art
on the city's art map.
Council Member Baudhuin asked for clarification on what constitutes a qualified arts
organization and Ms. Brodeen confirmed they would need to be registered nonprofits.
The city council indicated support for the policy.
Written reports
3. 2026 Pavement Management Project update (4026-1000) – Ward 1
4. Community + Civic Engagement system kick-off
Council Member Budd raised concerns about timing of a meeting with neighborhood groups
scheduled in January regarding funding applications given the upcoming policy discussion by
council in February 2026.
Ms. Keller indicated staff could delay the meeting with neighborhood groups until after the
Council's policy discussion on Feb. 17, 2026.
Council Members agreed delaying the meeting would be beneficial.
5. Racial equity and inclusion updated 2026 cultural observances and proclamations
Mayor Mohamed briefly noted appreciation for new cultural observances being added
including Deaf History Month, Genocide Awareness Month and Nowruz/Persian New Year.
The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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