HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/07/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
July 6, 2026
1. Call to order.
Mayor pro tem Farris called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
a. Pledge of Allegiance.
b. Roll call.
Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Paul Baudhuin, Jim
Engelking (arrived 6:50 p.m.), Mayor pro tem Yolanda Farris
Council members absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), engineering director (Ms.
Heiser), legislative and grants analyst (Ms. Ferris), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Baudhuin, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to move
consent item 5d to regular business as item 7a and approve the agenda as amended.
The motion passed 5-0 (Council Member Engelking and Mayor Mohamed absent).
3. Presentations.
a. Proclamation observing National Disability Independence Day
Council Member Baudhuin read the proclamation observing National Disability Independence
Day, noting the Americans with Disabilities Act's role in codifying civil rights and access for
disabled Americans.
Council Member Brausen expressed personal support for the proclamation, sharing that two of
his sons are people with Tourette's syndrome and crediting the St. Louis Park school system for
providing a high-quality education.
Council Member Budd thanked staff for the supplemental resources included in the council
packet related to the proclamation, noting the materials illustrated how all residents benefit
from disability-related accommodations.
Mayor pro tem Farris shared that she had spent approximately 30 years working with people
with disabilities; valued individuals who are like family to her.
b. Recognition of donations
Mayor pro tem Farris recognized the following donations to the city:
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● Lighthouse Management Group, Inc. donated $2,800 for a memorial bench at
Westwood Nature Center honoring Monique Yenamandra.
● Joe and Jill Bollettieri donated $2,800 for a memorial bench at Westwood Nature Center
honoring 30 years of marriage.
● Premium Waters donated water and water dispensers at $130 in value for the annual
fire department open house.
● JonnyPops donated popsicles at $750 in value for the annual fire department open
house.
● Lindstrom Restoration donated used furniture for burn room demonstrations at the
annual fire department open house.
Mayor pro tem Farris expressed thanks for these donations on behalf of the city.
4. Minutes.
a. Study session meeting minutes of June 8, 2026
b. City council meeting minutes of June 15, 2026
c. Closed executive session meeting minutes of June 15, 2026
It was moved by Council Member Bashore, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the
study session meeting minutes of June 8, 2026, and the city council and closed executive session
meeting minutes of June 15, 2026, as presented.
The motion passed 5-0 (Council Member Engelking and Mayor Mohamed absent).
5. Consent items.
a. Approve city disbursements
b. Resolution No. 26-092 accepting donations to the city for the parks and recreation
department
c. Resolution No. 26-093 accepting donations to the city for the fire department
d. Resolution approving sale of $9,930,000 General Obligation Bonds, series 2026A
e. Resolution No. 26-094 amending change order policy
f. Adopt Ordinance No. 2703-26 amending Chapter 3 of the city code related to
temporary liquor licenses
g. Approve temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license - Church of the Holy Family
h. Resolution No. 26-095 authorizing final payment for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Mainline
Rehabilitation project (4025-3000)
i. Resolution No. 26-096 approving grant agreement with MnDOT for Cedar Lake Road
and Louisiana Avenue Improvements project - Ward 4
j. Resolution No. 26-097 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at
3340 Rhode Island Avenue South - Ward 3
k. Resolution No. 26-098 approving special assessment for sewer service line repair at
3920 Lynn Avenue South - Ward 2
l. Resolution Nos. 26-099 and 26-100 supporting DEED redevelopment grant application
for Creekline Flats - Ward 3
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m. Resolution No. 26-101 supporting Sentinel Management company's application for
Hennepin County ERF grant for the Wooddale Station - Ward 2
n. Approve quote to supply lighting materials for a replacement project at Keller Baseball
Field in Dakota Park - Ward 1
Council Member Brausen noted that city disbursements totaled $3.3 million and highlighted a
grant agreement for the Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue project. He noted the project
totaled approximately $29 million with the city's direct contribution at approximately $9
million, crediting federal and state partners for the substantial funding leverage.
Council Member Budd noted the consent agenda included grant applications for two affordable
housing projects and expressed enthusiasm for the city pursuing those opportunities.
Council Member Baudhuin highlighted the approval of lighting replacement at Keller Baseball
Field in Dakota Park. He noted recent similar improvements at nearby softball fields and the
field's use by varsity baseball and town ball programs.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve
the consent items and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 5-0 (Council Member Engelking and Mayor Mohamed absent).
6. Public hearing.
a. Public hearing for new liquor license - Best of India Inc dba Best of India
Ms. Scott-Lerdal presented the staff report.
Mayor pro tem Farris opened the public hearing. No members of the public came forward to
testify. Mayor pro tem Farris closed the public hearing.
Council Member Budd expressed enthusiasm for Best of India's return to pursuing a liquor
license, noting the vibrancy of the Texa-Tonka shopping center and her positive experiences
dining at the restaurant.
Council Member Baudhuin expressed support, projecting that the license would increase in-
house dining and improve business for the restaurant.
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Bashore, to approve the
on-sale 3.2 malt liquor license with Sunday sales and on-sale wine liquor license for Best of India
Inc. dba Best of India.
The motion passed 5-0 (Council Member Engelking and Mayor Mohamed absent).
Ms. Keller informed the council that Council Member Engelking was approximately 20 to 25
minutes away. She recommended recessing the city council meeting to proceed with the
special study session and reconvene after the St. Louis Park School District community
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engagement item was completed, allowing time for Council Member Engelking to be present
for item 7a.
Mr. Mattick clarified that the council would reconvene immediately following the school district
item.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to recess
from the city council meeting at 6:30 p.m. and to reconvene immediately after the first special
study session discussion item’s conclusion.
The motion passed 5-0 (Council Member Engelking and Mayor Mohamed absent).
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to
reconvene the city council meeting at 7:12 p.m.
The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent).
7. Regular business.
a. Resolution No. 26-102 approving sale of $9,930,000 General Obligation Bonds, series
2026A
Council Member Brausen noted that the bond sale was locked in at 3.3% interest for a ten-year
period. He noted this excellent sale evidenced prudent fiscal planning on behalf of taxpayers
and observed that the city had maintained its AAA bond rating.
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the
sale of $9,930,000 General Obligation Bonds, series 2026A.
The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent).
8. Communications and announcements – none.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Yolanda Farris, mayor pro tem
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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