HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/03/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 2, 2026
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance
b. Roll call
Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Jim Engelking, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda
Farris, Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Council members absent: Paul Baudhuin
Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), human resources
director (Ms. Vorpahl)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Farris, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Baudhuin absent).
3. Presentations.
a. Proclamation observing Women’s History Month
Council Member Budd read the proclamation observing Women's History Month. The
proclamation recognized the leadership and contributions of women in the community,
highlighting that the City of St. Louis Park has elected three women. Mayor Mohamed is the
first woman of color elected as the city’s mayor and is the first elected Somali American mayor
in the United States. The proclamation also acknowledged the ongoing inequities women face
while encouraging recognition of women's daily contributions.
Mayor Mohamed commented on the importance of women in local government and the
influence of their leadership in advancing policy and accomplishing goals.
Council Member Brausen agreed and wished a happy birthday to his wife.
b. Proclamation observing World Lymphedema Day
Council Member Brausen read the proclamation observing World Lymphedema Day on March
6, 2026. The proclamation noted that lymphatic diseases affect 10 million Americans and 170
million people worldwide, with no cure available and treatment focused on reducing swelling
and preventing complications.
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Sharon Guffan, who requested the proclamation, provided public comment. She defined
lymphedema as a long-term condition causing swelling in arms or legs when the lymphatic
system is damaged or blocked. She emphasized the importance of public awareness and
expressed gratitude to Mayor Mohamed and the council for the proclamation. Ms. Guffan
announced a Lymphedema Education Day at St. Louis Park Library on March 9, 2026, from
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
4. Minutes – none.
5. Consent items.
a. Approve city disbursements
b. Adopt ordinance amending St. Louis Park city code chapter 2 regarding boards and
commissions
c. Approve Human Rights Commissions and Community Technology Advisory Commission
workplan additions
d. Approve amendment to 2026 social services award for St. Louis Park Emergency
Program (STEP)
e. Resolution No. 26-033 approving preliminary development agreement with Sentinel
Management Company for redevelopment of the Wooddale Station site - Ward 2
f. Resolution No. 26-034 approving collateral assignment and subordination agreement
related to the Terasa redevelopment - Ward 4
g. Resolution No. 26-035 authorizing final payment for the 2025 Pavement Management
Project (4025-1000) -Ward 4
h. Resolution No. 26-036 to prioritize federal congressionally directed spending requests
It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Bashore, to move consent
item 5b to regular business as agenda item 7a, to approve the consent agenda as amended; and
to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Baudhuin absent).
6. Public hearings – none.
7. Regular business.
a. Adopt Ordinance No. 2702-26 amending St. Louis Park city code chapter 2 regarding
boards and commissions
Council Member Budd explained her opposition to the ordinance, stating she would vote
against it because it removes purpose statements from some commissions.
Council Member Bashore discussed a small subgroup meeting that occurred after the first
reading where commissioners expressed desire for more clarity and guidance from the council.
He noted the possibility of consolidating documents including bylaws and expressed discomfort
passing the ordinance without a clear path for where purpose statements should reside.
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Council Member Brausen moved approval of the ordinance. He noted the staff report indicated
continued exploration of clearer purpose statements and their appropriate location outside city
code. Council Member Brausen felt staff had heard the concerns and that passing the ordinance
would not discard their work on other changes to make the code language related to boards
and commissions more consistent.
Council Member Engelking seconded the motion. He agreed that every board and commission
should have purpose statements to provide direction and energy for their important work. He
noted that only two commissions currently have purpose statements in code while five do not.
Council Member Engelking suggested purpose statements should be more prominent and
accessible than city code, perhaps in work plans.
Council Member Budd expressed disappointment that boards and commissions input was not
sought for this decision and suggested incorporating their feedback on purpose statements
since they understand the work being done.
Mayor Mohamed noted her agreement with having purpose statements but not necessarily in
city code.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Engelking, to adopt the
ordinance amending St. Louis Park city code chapter 2 regarding boards and commissions.
The motion passed 4-2 (Council Members Bashore and Budd opposed, Council Member
Baudhuin absent).
8. Communications and announcements.
a. Minnetonka Boulevard twin homes project status - Ward 1
Council Member Brausen noted an item on the consent agenda, which approved a $50,000
increase to the social services award for the St. Louis Park Emergency Program.
Closed Executive Session
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Budd, to close the
meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subd. 3.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Baudhuin absent).
The city council entered closed executive session at 6:37 p.m. pursuant to Minnesota Statute
13D.05, subd. 3 to conduct the city manager’s annual performance review.
The city council exited closed session at 9:01 p.m.
9. Adjournment.
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The city council returned to regular session at 9:10 p.m. and the meeting adjourned at 9:11
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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