HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/05/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
May 18, 2026
1. Call to order.
Mayor pro tem Farris called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m.
a. Pledge of Allegiance.
Scout Troop 282 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
b. Roll call.
Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Jim Engelking, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Paul
Baudhuin, Mayor pro tem Yolanda Farris
Council member absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Baudhuin, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve
the agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent).
3. Presentations
a. Proclamation honoring William E. Davies
Mayor pro tem Farris read the proclamation, which recognized William E. Davies for his
contributions to the St. Louis Park community and highlighted his achievement as an inaugural
recipient of the Vietnam Veterans “Service Beyond Service Award” in 2026. The proclamation
recognized his military service with the U.S. Army, during which Mr. Davies earned the Bronze
Star and the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. The proclamation also
recognized his decades of community involvement with the St. Louis Park Rotary, American
Legion Post 282, Voiture 1281, District 5059, the St. Louis Park Senior Center, the St. Louis Park
Football Association for Youth, the St. Louis Park Little League and VFW Post 435.
Mr. Davies addressed the council and acknowledged his wife Kay and friends in attendance,
including members of the American Legion. He shared that his name was submitted by a fellow
legion member for the “Service Beyond Service” Award. Mr. Davies received notice of the
award on March 12, 2026, and was invited to attend the award ceremony at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which he was unable to attend due to health
challenges. He noted he was one of 49 recipients selected nationwide and the only recipient
from Minnesota in the award's inaugural year.
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Council Member Brausen expressed gratitude for Mr. Davies' service and noted the city was
fortunate to have residents of his caliber.
Council Member Baudhuin thanked Mr. Davies for his service and reflected on the complexity
of the Vietnam War, noting the clear commitment and humility of those who served.
Mayor pro tem Farris expressed her admiration for Mr. Davies' service and ongoing
contributions to the community.
Ms. Keller shared that she has known Mr. Davies through the St. Louis Park Rotary for
approximately five years and considers him a friend. She emphasized that as the inaugural year
of the award, Mr. Davies is among only 49 recipients ever recognized. She highlighted the reach
of his community service and noted that whether they know Mr. Davies or not, many St. Louis
Park residents have been impacted by his contributions.
b. Recognition of donations
4. Minutes.
a. Study session meeting minutes of April 27, 2026
b. City council meeting minutes of May 4, 2026
c. Special study session meeting minutes of May 4, 2026
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Engelking to approve the
April 27, 2026 study session; May 4, 2026, city council and special study session meeting
minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent).
5. Consent Items
a. Resolution No. 26-071 accepting donation to the city for the fire department
b. Resolutions No. 26-072, 26-073, 26-074, 26-075, 26-076 and 26-077 authorizing intent
to reimburse with bond proceeds for 2026 debt-issued projects
c. Approve professional services agreement for 2028 Surface Water Management Plan
update
d. Resolution No. 26-078 approving 2026 -2028 LELS Local #482 Police Lieutenant labor
agreement
e. Resolution No. 26-079 to amend final plat of Minnetonka Boulevard Twin Homes
subdivision - Ward 1
f. Approve temporary seasonal premises amendment for liquor establishment
Council Member Brausen noted that the donation in item 5a consisted of nearly $59,000 in
smoke detectors to the fire department. He shared that the fire department offers to install
smoke detectors in residents' homes as part of their safety programs.
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Mayor pro tem Farris confirmed that the fire department does make home visits for detector
installation.
Council Member Baudhuin highlighted item 5e and expressed enthusiasm for the Minnetonka
Boulevard Twin Homes project as it moves forward.
Council Member Brausen noted item 5d and commended the human resources department for
maintaining productive labor agreement relationships. He also recognized the police
lieutenants for having reached the new employment agreement with the city.
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Bashore, to approve the
consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent).
6. Public hearings - none.
7. Regular business – none.
8. Communications and announcements – none.
Mayor pro tem Farris announced that the city council retreat previously scheduled to follow the
city council meeting this evening was being rescheduled to a future date.
Ms. Keller announced that the city is engaging residents of the Aquila and Texa-Tonka
neighborhoods through an online survey to better understand how they are experiencing the
impacts of climate change. Residents of these neighborhoods were encouraged to complete the
survey and to contact city sustainability staff for a link.
Ms. Keller also announced that the state legislature passed a bonding bill including $5,100,000
for the Oxford/Louisiana area investment project. She noted this is part of a $16,000,000
project scheduled for construction in 2029 and 2030 near the hospital. The project is focused
on critical infrastructure, transportation safety, flood mitigation and neighborhood
connectivity.
She credited the legislative delegation, council lobbying efforts and city staff for securing the
funding.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 6:39 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.
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