HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/05/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
May 19, 2025
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance
b. Roll call
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd,
Lynette Dumalag, Margaret Rog
Council members absent: Yolanda Farris
Staff present: Deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), city attorney (Ms. Asani), community
development director (Ms. Barton), building and energy director (Mr. Hoffman), economic
development manager (Mr. Hunt), redevelopment administrator (Mr. Porter-Nelson), deputy
city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), fire chief (Mr. Hanlin)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve
the agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Farris absent).
3. Presentations.
a. Recognition of donations
Mayor Mohamed thanked the following people for their donations:
• Carrie and Kevin Mendler for a donation of $2,800 for a memorial bench to be installed
at the Westwood Nature Center, honoring David French, and Don and Mary French.
• Maureen and John Dersewich for donating $1,000 to the Westwood Nature Center for
access to the scholarship fund.
• Matthew Hobbs and family for donating $10,000 for a memorial bench, trees, and park
enhancements for educational needs at the Westwood Nature Center, honoring
Maurice Hobbs.
4. Minutes.
a. Minutes of April 21, 2025, city council meeting
b. Minutes of April 21, 2025, special study session
c. Minutes of May 5, 2025, city council meeting
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It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the
April 21, 2025, city council meeting minutes, the April 21, 2025, special study session minutes,
and the May 5, 2025, city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Commissioner Farris absent).
5. Consent items.
a. Resolution 25-055 accepting donations to the Parks and Recreation Department
b. Resolution 25-056 approving Police and Fire Police and Fire Public Employees
Retirement Association member transfer
c. Resolutions 25-057, 25-058 approving amended affordable housing contract and
business subsidy for Beltline Station - Ward 1
d. Resolution 25-059 approving implementation of stipends and term limits for Housing
Authority Board
e. Resolution 25-060 approving updated West Metro Drug Task Force joint powers
agreement
Council Member Brausen asked to make a comment regarding consent item 5c. He stated there
was extensive discussion during this evening’s EDA meeting about this item and noted the
construction will begin within the next 30-60 days.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the
consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Farris absent).
6. Public hearings.
a. Public hearing for intoxicating liquor license for The Taco Shop LLC dba The Taco Shop
Ms. Scott-Lerdal presented the staff report.
Representing The Taco Shop, Mr. Inti Martínez-Alemán, attorney, and Mr. Angel Ruelas
Castellano, owner, were introduced to the council for questions.
Council Member Rog asked what motivated Mr. Ruelas Castellano to want to offer alcoholic
beverages at this location. Mr. Ruelas Castellano stated they expanded their establishment to
include more seating and a bar area. He stated they wanted to offer alcoholic beverages and
Mexican drinks to their patrons along with Mexican menu items.
Council Member Budd asked if the 38 seats are a new upgrade for the restaurant. Mr. Ruelas
Castellano stated yes, the restaurant only had five tables prior to the expansion. He stated they
are ready to open after the liquor license is approved and certified.
Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Mohamed
closed the public hearing.
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Council Member Dumalag stated she is excited to hear this business is expanding and noted it
has been fun to see people enjoying this establishment.
Council Member Baudhuin thanked Mr. Ruelas Castellano for attending the meeting. He also
thanked them for opening their establishment in St. Louis Park and wished them great success
in their expansion.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve
the intoxicating liquor license for The Taco Shop LLC dba The Taco Shop as presented by staff.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Farris absent).
7. Regular business – none.
8. Communications and announcements.
Ms. Walsh noted that city hall will be closed on May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
Ms. Walsh stated that on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 4-6 p.m., there is a paper shredding event
at the Municipal Service Center.
Mayor Mohamed stated that this weekend marks the five-year anniversary of the murder of
George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. She observed that Mr. Floyd’s murder had a ripple
effect that was felt across the world. Mayor Mohamed stated that many people were
awakened to the ugly reality and the deadly consequences of racism and acted to dismantle the
forces of racism. Though some may feel that the last five years of progress towards racial
justice awareness is now being threatened, St. Louis Park continues our commitment to the
city’s strategic priority of racial equity and inclusion.
Mayor Mohamed stated that regardless of any action that may be taken to attempt to rewrite
the record of that horrible day, we will remember George Floyd. She added that city staff
continue to be committed to the community and to serving everybody with respect, integrity
and compassion, and so does this community. Mayor Mohamed also stated that regardless of
what else is going on, we will continue to mourn our neighbor, and we will continue to live the
values that have come out of this tragedy, and we will continue to show up for one another and
show up for the city.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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