HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/01/30 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Jan. 30, 2023
The meeting convened at 5:50 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Nadia
Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Elections and Civic
Engagement Coordinator (Mr. Sund)
Guests: None.
1. City council vacancy interview and appointment process
Mayor Spano stated Maren Anderson withdrew her name from consideration for the council
vacancy. He thanked Ms. Anderson on behalf of the council for her participation in the process.
Mayor Spano stated one (1) applicant reached out to council after the interviews last week to
inform them that if selected they would request the council to change their meeting schedule
to hold meetings on Wednesdays rather than Mondays. The applicant indicated that without a
change to the meeting schedule, they would not be able to fulfill the commitment as a council
member. The council discussed the request and determined that logistically it did not make
sense to consider changing the meeting schedule at this time.
The city council shared their thoughts regarding the remaining applicants. They discussed the
merits and strengths of each applicant, noting that each person was impressive and would
make a fine councilmember.
The city council agreed to move forward with the ranked-choice voting exercise. Each council
member was provided with a ballot and asked to rank their top three (3) choices. With six
voters, the threshold to be selected was four (4) votes.
Following the conclusion of voting, Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Sund reviewed the ballots and
performed a hand count. After one round of counting it was announced that Yolanda Farris
received the required number of first-choice votes to be selected as the next at large A council
member. The city council discussed next steps and determined that Ms. Farris would take the
oath of office and begin her term on February 21, 2023.
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
DocuSign Envelope ID: DFFF9340-D3BB-4895-924A-B8945204F30A