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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/03/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes Special city council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota March 9, 2026 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m. a. Pledge of Allegiance. b. Roll call. Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Jim Engelking, Tim Brausen, Paul Baudhuin, Mayor Nadia Mohamed Council members absent: Yolanda Farris, Sue Budd Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Budd and Farris absent). 3. Presentations - none. 4. Minutes – none. 5. Consent items – none. 6. Public hearings – none. 7. Regular business. a. Resolution No. 26-037 approving Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition memorandum of understanding Mayor Mohamed stated that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) allows the City of St. Louis Park to participate in the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, a group of metro area cities that seek to be made whole from the ongoing impacts made by the actions of Operation Metro Surge. She pointed out that since Jan. 1, 2026, metro area cities have been challenged to provide basic services and good governance. Momentum Advocacy was selected to lead the coalition’s legislative advocacy actions. Mayor Mohamed asked for a current count of cities participating in the coalition. Ms. Keller confirmed that at present, there are 30 member cities. Docusign Envelope ID: F2F73E59-882C-4EE4-8812-EE45A0ABFF22 Special city council meeting - 2 - March 2, 2026 Mayor Mohamed noted that coalition member mayors have given testimony before the Minnesota State Legislature. Advocacy work is planned at the federal level as well. Mayor Mohamed summarized the intent of the coalition, emphasizing that when 30 cities come together in reaction to the economic instability caused by Operation Metro Surge, their unified voice cannot be ignored. The coalition is advocating for immediate de-escalation and acknowledgement of economic harms, including potential 2026 relief funds to cities. Council Member Brausen asked for clarification on the cost of participation. Mayor Mohamed clarified that the total cost is to be shared among all member cities. Ms. Keller added that the MOU indicates a monthly fee of $10,000 to Momentum Advocacy for services rendered on behalf of the coalition. The monthly fee is shared between the 30 participating cities; St. Louis Park’s portion of monthly fees is very low. Council Member Baudhuin referenced the mention of advocacy work at the federal level and asked for specifics. Ms. Keller stated that staff is working with Momentum Advocacy to prepare for the National League of Cities Congressional Conference taking place in Washington D.C., March 16 through 18, 2026. Planning is taking place regarding which of the coalition cities are also attending the conference, recruitment opportunities and planned meetings with the Minnesota delegation. Council Member Bashore stated that the resolution does not change any of the city’s work with the coalition but does formalize the relationship. Mayor Mohamed confirmed that metro area mayors had been in communication as early as November 2025. This resolution documents and gives power to St. Louis Park’s participation. Council Member Engelking estimated that the city’s total cost to participate with the coalition is around $1,500. He noted this is a modest amount to invest towards undoing the financial harms caused by Operation Metro Surge. Council Member Baudhuin thanked Ms. Keller and Mayor Mohamed for all their work to bring the city into the coalition. Council Member Bashore agreed and added his thanks. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Bashore, to approve Resolution No. 26-037 approving a memorandum of understanding with the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Budd and Farris absent). 8. Communications and announcements. Council Member Baudhuin noted that there is no city council meeting next week, as members of the council will be attending a national conference. Docusign Envelope ID: F2F73E59-882C-4EE4-8812-EE45A0ABFF22 Special city council meeting - 3 - March 2, 2026 Mayor Mohamed added that one of the goals of attending the conference is to meet with legislators to secure funding for local projects. Mayor Mohamed invited all to attend an Iftar dinner on Friday, March 13, 2026. The dinner will be hosted by the Students Organized for Anti-Racism (SOAR) and the Muslim Student Association at St. Louis Park High School. The dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 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: F2F73E59-882C-4EE4-8812-EE45A0ABFF22