HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/07/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
July 21, 2025
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance
b. Roll call
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen (arrived 6:22
p.m.), Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris, Margaret Rog
Council members absent: none
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), economic development manager (Mr. Hunt), planning
manager (Mr. Walther), community development director (Ms. Barton)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Baudhuin, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve
the agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Brausen absent).
3. Presentations.
a. Greg Hunt retirement recognition
Mayor Mohamed read the resolution and thanked Greg Hunt for over 23 years of dedicated
service to the city. She thanked Mr. Hunt’s family for their support of his work over the years.
Ms. Barton thanked Mr. Hunt for his hard work and positive impact on the city, stating that he
will be greatly missed. She congratulated Mr. Hunt and wished him a wonderful retirement at
his family cabin in Wisconsin.
Council Member Baudhuin shared that he had met Mr. Hunt many years ago as a pastor at Mr.
Hunt’s church. When he came onto the city council, Council Member Baudhuin recalled that
Mr. Hunt provided instruction on many aspects of the city, for which he was thankful. Council
Member Baudhuin congratulated Mr. Hunt on his long career, observing that he does things
with honesty and integrity both in his city role and in his life outside of his work. Council
Member Baudhuin wished him well in his retirement.
Council Member Budd expressed her appreciation for all of Mr. Hunt's efforts and
complimented him on his work with the city, as well as his trustworthiness in representing the
city for these many years.
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Council Member Rog thanked Mr. Hunt for his work and noted the large projects he has worked
on throughout the years, especially his work with grants and the city’s small businesses. She
wished him all the best.
Council Member Dumalag congratulated Mr. Hunt on his accomplishments over the years and
thanked him for his work with small business owners.
Council Member Farris congratulated Mr. Hunt on his many years of good work. Over the years,
she recalled how he helped her to understand Tax Increment Financing (TIF). She thanked him
and wished him all the best.
Council Member Brausen stated he has been on the council for 12 years and has worked with
Mr. Hunt for many of them. Mr. Hunt has been a professional, competent ambassador for the
city to the business community. He noted Mr. Hunt has been a proponent of utilizing TIF to
advance development, which he has always supported. He also complimented Mr. Hunt on his
willingness to sometimes say no to developers. Council Member Brausen wished him the best
in his retirement with his grandchildren.
Mr. Hunt thanked the city council for their kind words, stating he is honored and humbled. He
thanked his family and colleagues for their support and extended his gratitude to the city
council and previous councils for their faith in staff related to various development projects
brought forward over the years. He thanked the council for their courage to approve projects,
as well as the financial assistance needed to bring them to fruition. He stated it was not always
easy, but the council’s trust in staff meant a great deal and was very much appreciated. He also
thanked the developers and businesses who chose to invest in St. Louis Park and construct
projects that have helped transform the city. He thanked the community for its patience and
support of economic development through the years.
Mr. Hunt stated that during his tenure at St. Louis Park, he kept a line of scripture in his office.
He compared the line to the changes he has seen in the city over the years, observing that the
city has boldly chosen to invest in itself, and he would like to think the city’s work has brought
prosperity to its people.
Mr. Hunt shared that during his tenure, he had the honor of helping to facilitate projects with a
total value of over $1.5 billion. This was accomplished while mitigating contaminated sites,
helping small businesses – which helped to create hundreds of new jobs - and substantially
increasing the city’s tax base while providing a wide variety of housing for local residents. He
summarized that all of these accomplishments have helped to support the city’s AAA bond
rating.
Mr. Hunt stated that this is something for all to be proud of, adding that this recognition is not
all about him, but about everyone who helped bring these projects to fruition through the
years.
Mr. Hunt stated St. Louis Park is a very special community, and it has been an honor of a
lifetime for him to serve the city, its businesses and residents. The economic development
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division is in good and capable hands, and he has every confidence they will accomplish good
things going forward.
Mr. Hunt stated he looks forward to what the future holds and added he and his wife are
looking forward to becoming grandparents for the first time, and travelling to see their
grandchildren.
Mr. Hunt thanked the city council and wished all the best to St. Louis Park.
4. Minutes – none.
5. Consent items.
a. Resolution No. 25-077 recognizing Greg Hunt for over 23 years of service
b. Resolution No. 25-078 accepting the 2024 audit and approving the annual financial
report
c. Approve maintenance agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for
Commercial Street Rehabilitation Project 4025-1050 - Ward 2
d. Resolution No. 25-079 authorizing grant agreement for the Minnetonka Boulevard Twin
Homes Development - Ward 1
e. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2695-25 amending city code chapter 2
regarding boards and commissions
Council Member Rog asked to comment on consent item 5e. She stated she tried to shift how
the school districts are described in city code, and while the action was not taken up by the rest
of the council, she still feels strongly about this and hopes that this important connection will
be codified somehow. She is disappointed this topic was not discussed more.
Council Member Rog stated she heard from the council that there is a way to make sure school
representation is present within boards and commissions. She stated St. Louis Park schools
need to be at the table with the council in every way, and going forward, she is hoping that staff
find other ways to ensure this happens whenever possible.
Council Member Brausen referenced consent item 5b and stated that though he was not at the
meeting when it was discussed, he did review the 2024 financial audit report in detail. He
complimented the report, stating it accurately and clearly summarizes the financial condition of
the city. He noted that this audit report is completed each year and is available for residents to
review online.
Council Member Brausen added that the city has been recognized in the past for the quality of
its audits, and he hopes this work continues. He also thanked finance staff and administration
for all their hard work in putting this report together and completing the audit.
Council Member Baudhuin added his comments on item 5b as well. He stated that financial
audits are not passed quickly and noted there was a robust conversation surrounding this at the
study session. A thorough report was presented by city staff and the finance department. He
noted that through the audit, there have been improvements in how the report comes back to
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council, and this is something the council looks at very closely before approving. He thanked the
finance staff for their great work.
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the
consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
6. Public hearings – none.
7. Regular business – none.
8. Communications and announcements.
Mayor Mohamed stated that the only item on the special study session agenda was a written
report entitled “Development update - 3rd quarter 2025.” As there are no policy questions
requiring discussion on the report, the report is noted during the communications and
announcements.
Council Member Budd stated she appreciated the report. She added it is highly informative
regarding the work the city has done on inclusionary housing. Although there are no units
under construction currently, there is major construction that will happen during the third
quarter of 2025.
Ms. Keller noted that there is new playground equipment coming to Bronx Park. On Sept. 2,
2025, playground equipment will be removed from Ainsworth Park and new playground
equipment installed there the following week. This is part of the city’s regular park equipment
upgrade program, which the council approves each year. The community has a participation
process by which they select the structures themselves.
Council Member Brausen noted the West End Chalk Festival will be held on July 25-26, and he
invited residents to attend.
Council Member Rog added that on July 29, candidate filings will open for residents interested
in running for the city council or the school board, adding that the filing period closes on Aug.
12, 2025. She stated there is detailed information on the city website.
Council Member Rog also noted that July 29, 2025, is the deadline for National Night Out
registration, which can be done on the city website. National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 5, and
if residents want a street closure or public safety to visit an event, they are asked to register.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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