Crystal City Council — Transcript
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Public Comments
Health Equity Update and Recommendations
Hennepin County Commissioner's Update
Votes (5)
Receipt of the 2025 Audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Auditor’s Reports
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Page [00:54:33] · Seconded by Council Member Erickson [00:54:47]
The audit firm Bergen KTV presented the results of the 2025 audit, highlighting an 'unmodified' or 'clean' opinion on the financial statements, indicating strong financial health. Key findings included revenues exceeding expenditures by $3.5 million in the general fund, maintaining a healthy unassigned fund balance of close to 48% of the next year's budget (within policy and exceeding state minimums). Favorable variances in revenues were driven by investment earnings, while general government expenditures were lower due to staffing vacancies and unutilized contingency items. The report also covered positive operating income for public utilities, storm sewer, street and signal light, and recreation funds, indicating good stewardship and reserve building.
Public Hearing for On Sale Intoxicating Liquor License (Asian Moon LLC)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Page [01:06:55] · Seconded by Council Member McGarvey [01:07:05]
A public hearing was held for a new on-sale intoxicating liquor license application for Asian Moon LLC, operating as Asian Moon, at 8000 Brooklyn Boulevard North. The previous businesses at this location were Hot Pot and Baker Square. The application was approved, and the required background check on the applicant was completed. No questions or comments were raised from the council or the public during the hearing.
Public Hearing for On Sale Wine and Three Two Malt Liquor License (Blue Cajun Corporation)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Erickson [01:09:47] · Seconded by Council Member Zhang [01:10:07]
A public hearing was conducted for a new on-sale wine and 3.2 malt liquor license for Blue Cajun Corporation, doing business as Blue Cajun, at 8517 Zane Avenue North. This location previously housed Subway and Crumbs and Coffee. The application had been approved, and the applicant's background check was completed. Neither the council nor the public raised any questions or comments during the public hearing.
Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter Nine, Section 9.04 of the Home Rule City Charter
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member McGarvey [01:16:32] · Seconded by Council Member Zhang [01:16:51]
The Charter Commission recommended amending the Home Rule City Charter to increase non-voting youth liaison positions on the Community Long Range Improvement Commission (CLRIC). The amendment proposes adding two non-voting youth liaison positions (ages 14-17) and one non-voting emerging leader position (ages 18-24), to be appointed by the mayor with City Council approval. This initiative aims to enhance youth participation in shaping the city's future, with Chair Cochran noting increased youth interest in positive community changes. The council expressed support for increasing youth involvement.
Charitable Gambling Discussion
Dissent: Not applicable
Moved by No action taken · Seconded by No action taken
This item served as a discussion to inform the Council about existing city ordinances and state statutes regarding lawful charitable gambling, including bingo, raffles, and pull tabs. The current ordinance requires 75% of net profits to be spent on lawful purchases within Brooklyn Park or its defined trade area (which includes several surrounding cities and Minneapolis). Staff highlighted options for potential future code amendments, such as increasing the local spending percentage, adding a 10% expenditure requirement for specific charitable causes (police, fire, emergency operations), or implementing a 3% local tax for administrative and investigative work only. The Council raised questions about the transparency of spending reports and the state's audit oversight, indicating interest in deeper financial review and potential policy changes to maximize local benefit.
Notable Quotes (7)
You don't see the word unmodified or or the word clean showing up in those two paragraphs. But that is the type of opinion that we are providing, uh, with regards to the financial statements. And as mentioned or as noted here on the slide, that is the optimal result when it comes to a set of audited set of financial statements.
The city would maintain a unassigned fund balance between 35 and 50% of the next year's budget. And, uh, the state auditor's office also publishes guidance on that. They say that municipalities should have no less, uh, no less than five months of coverage, uh, in their fund balance at the end of the year...
Um, I just wanted to say that we really have an opportunity to include youth in this process. Um, I know that Brooklyn Park, we love our youth, and we love to support our youth. And I just want to continue to find ways to help them. And it is my hope that you guys will help me by voting this amendment. Amendment to the charter.
Absolutely. We have. And then just given the political climate, a lot of youth are really wanting to know how can they participate in positive changes in our community.
Our city ordinance, um, requires a premise permit or registration, so it's not a license. It's really the state gives out the licenses and it allows cities to enact an ordinance so that they can, um, approve the locations, put in some regulations around spending in the trade area...
And our ordinance states a 75% of net profits must be spent on lawful purchases in Brooklyn Park or in our trade areas, and the trade area is something that's required by state statute, and that includes your city. And then all surrounding or connecting cities. So for us, that's Champlin, Osceola, Maple Grove, Crystal, new Hope, Brooklyn Center.
But what I do see is there's a lack of transparency on a couple of those organizations, because they're simply reporting money going to their general fund, and that does not given us give us enough information to determine if they're following the ordinance. So it would be my hope that we could look at those neig
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Public presentation (proclamation) that was tabled until July 13th.
The financial audit report for the City of Brooklyn Park for the year 2025.
A specific audit report element focusing on internal controls over financial reporting and compliance with Minnesota legal statutes.
A letter from the auditors summarizing the audit process and financial trend information.
The specific section of the city's charter proposed for amendment to add youth liaison positions.
A new license requested by Asian Moon LLC.
A new license requested by Blue Cajun Corporation.
The state license and local permit required for charitable gambling activities.