Economic Development Authority meeting. Roll call, please. Kim. >> Commissioner Bodwin >> here. >> Commissioner Rosen >> here. >> Commissioner Muhammad >> here. Commissioner Bud >> here, >> Commissioner Angel King >> here, >> Commissioner Bashore >> here, >> and President Ferris >> here. >> Um, a motion. May I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? I >> think it looks great. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Uh, may may I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes? Any amendments? No. Were there any amendments? >> I'll move approval. Second. >> Uh, any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Um, can I have a motion? I'm sorry. >> Oh, yes. Mot Oh, I'm sorry. That passes. I'm sorry. My apologies. A motion to approve the consent item. >> I'll move to approve the single consent item. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? I I the consent agenda is approved. There is no public hearing, no regular business, no communications or announcements. This meeting is ajourned. >> Boom. >> We will begin shortly at our city council meeting here at 6:15. [clears throat] >> We'll get started on our city council meeting. It is now 6:15. Uh Kim, roll call, please. Council member Bashar >> here. >> Council member Engel King >> here. >> Council member Bud >> here. >> Council member Brosen >> here. >> Council member Ferris >> here. >> Council member Bodwin >> here. >> Mayor Muhammad >> here. All right. With that, this meeting is called to order. We're going to move on to the pledge of allegiance. Please join us if you can and are able to stand for all. >> Perfect. Uh moving on to the approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Looks great. >> Seeing none, >> I agree. [laughter] >> Seeing none further, I will move on to the votes. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> All right. This uh the agenda is approved. Uh moving on to the presentations. We have an exciting night ahead of us. We are here to recognize the West Hill uh Nature Center Junior Naturalist, which is the room is full. Full. Let me just say that for those in the room, not in the room with us. Um and so without further ado, I'm going to pass it on to Claire and Becky to introduce our junior naturalist and for them to get recognized. >> Thank you. My name is Claire Lang and I'm the summer junior naturalist coordinator. Honorable mayor and city council, thank you for recognizing the important work these junior naturalists have contributed and for coming together this evening to honor them. I'm excited to present our youth group of youth volunteers who are defined by their hard work, passion for service, and dedication to their community. As someone who has never been a junior naturalist myself, I didn't quite know what I was signing up for, managing a bunch of teenagers during their summer break. But although I was unsure at first, there was no reason to be. I am blown away by the maturity, responsibility, and integrity these volunteers uphold. Not to mention the kindness, patience, and enthusiasm for the work they do. Whether they are assisting in camp, completing water garden tasks, or taking care of our ambassador animals, these junior naturalists bring a positive energy and a smile on their face wherever they go. This ability to combine responsibility and fun is what shapes the engaging educational atmosphere here at Westwood Hills Nature Center. Our junior naturalists take on the roles of both learners and teachers. Notably, their first year in their program comes with many new responsibilities. This year, our 10 new volunteers fit right into the program, demonstrating adaptability and a willingness to learn. Their commitment and bravery is to try something new is appreciated by everyone. Our 35 returning junior naturalists were also a joy to have again this year. These experienced volunteers have been the backbone of the program by being excellent role models and mentors, setting the example of what it means to be a junior naturalist. Our program would not be the same without their leadership and welcoming presence. Collectively, the 45 volunteers in this summer's program have helped serve over 500 youth and contributed over 1,700 hours of service. Through all these hours, the junior naturalists played an important role in creating connections with campers and visitors and have shown themselves to be amazing representatives of the city and of Westwood Hills Nature Center. Together, they have made a positive impact on the community. Junior Naturalist, thank you for all the work you've done this summer, and we hope you will continue to lead, learn, and share your enthusiasm and curiosity. Honorable mayor and city council, your continued support for this program is appreciated immensely by our junior naturalists, their family families, and the parks and recreation staff. I am pleased to present to you Westwood Hills Nature Cent's 2026 Junior Naturalists. [applause] Okay, we'll start off. Tyler Alto, [applause] Esther Bina, [applause] Isabella De Launa, Landis, [applause] Isa Dean, [applause] Lucas Dean, [applause] Maya Escobar, [applause] Reese Fineberg, >> [applause] >> Molly Goodman, [applause] Desmond Harper, [applause] Dory Hannendale, [applause] M. Hodgeges, [applause] >> Elise Hogs. [applause] >> [applause] >> Dominic Jameson, [applause] Storm Jameson, [applause] Katherine Kottowski, [applause] Ellie Lond, [applause] Juliana Madrid, [applause] Maggie Morren, [applause] River Muggley, Thank you for not putting me on the spot. [laughter] Rowan Muggley, [applause] Alice Murray, Nico Padarakis, >> Fiona Penna, Eleanor Peterson, [applause] >> Katya Rubenic, [applause] >> Eric Standerson, >> [applause] >> Amen. Zakini, [applause] >> you guys want to grab a photo real quick? Try to get in the safe. Some of you guys have [clears throat] >> Yeah. What are you doing? Okay. Is that okay? All right. Ready, set, go. Say congratulations. [applause] >> All right. Congratulations, you guys. I know. council wants to say a couple of words, but um you guys want to turn around real quick for council and then Yeah, [laughter] >> that is literally you guys have taken that quite literally and I love that. Okay, I guess Paul has council member Bodwin has spoken. Would you guys mind lining up over there? Is that okay? I apologize you guys. >> Thank you. I gotcha. I got you. You want to show off the faces what it is. >> Go ahead, Council Member Burr. >> Uh, yes. Congratulations to all these junior naturalist. Congratulations to those that weren't able to make it here tonight. I 40. There weren't quite 45 of you. Almost 30 of you. And great job all of you. And I also want to thank the support system they have. All the parents, grandparents, other people that helped out and drove the kids over there. We understand this is a big commitment and you guys made it possible for them to assist us and the contributions these young people make to the city is just wonderful. Um it makes it a vibrant community. Uh we need more. We need more from our our youth. But you guys are a great example to all of them. Hopefully you'll share with all your friends and others what a good experience it was. Hopefully it was a great experience. And um thanks very much for everything you did. >> [applause] [applause] >> I'll just echo everything Council Member Browson said, but also just want to throw out to you parents and such that, you know, if you're like my family and you've got grandparents and godparents and things like that you want to share this with. It should be up on the Park TV you YouTube channel um within a day or two. Um so there you go. >> Thank you. Any others? Yep. Go ahead, Council Bar. I just wanted to uh take a minute to thank you on behalf of the hundreds of children that um that we heard 500 and some I believe it was that um that uh attended the various things because um if I know you each make a difference in their lives and make their summers much more fun and um a great role model and example for them. So thank you so much. [applause] >> Okay. I'd like to personally thank you. Important to learn about be in touch with our natural world. So, you're learning and you're also teaching. So, uh great combination there. Uh Mrs. Engelking and I were thought, you know, a nice little gesture. We have some cookies and lemonade out in the out in the lobby there. We were busy uh baking today. And just a very small uh thank you to you and your families for your hard work over the course of the summer. You're welcome. >> We we should also note for all the parents that that Westwood way over in the corner of town, the uh construction on Cedar Lake Road certainly did not make uh dropping your uh junior naturalist off uh any easier. So, we uh certainly appreciate your uh efforts to uh make that happen over the course of the summer. >> I would agree. Uh any others, council? Well, without that without uh further stuff from council, I'm just going to say congratulations. Um, thank you. Thank you all for taking the time this summer. Thank you for doing this work. And thank you for contributing back to your community. That's what makes us uh people, better people, I should say, and that's what makes us a community and a village, which I do consider us a community and a village. So, thank you for contributing to that. And for the parents, for the guardians, for the grandparents, thank you for raising such amazing human beings. Um and uh thank you again. I know that we are in or the future is is in safe hands in good hands I should say uh with bright futures ahead of us. So thank you all. [applause] All right. This is the part where you can slowly head out before the next uh unless you want to stay for an entire hour or so until our next uh you know. >> So I will pause. Thank you all for coming. >> All right. We will continue. >> All right. So I the my only ask of uh folks in the room is that you exit quietly as we continue for the rest of the council meeting. Next up is the proclamation observing Women's Equality Day read by our very own Council Member Ferris. Council Member Ferris, you have the floor. Uh >> Women's Equality Day 2026. Whereas Women's Equality Day marks the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution and its significance to the struggle for women's rights. And whereas women across the United States fought for the 19th amendment, changing the political landscape by writing women women's right to vote into law. And whereas this right to vote did not extend to all women, non-white women were deemed oh I'm sorry, women denied this process through state laws. violence and other forms of racist barriers to vote in. Whereas recognizing women's equality day means also recognizing the imperfect history of voting rights in our country that has buried women yeah buried women's right to vote based on race, language and cultural identity. And whereas the St. Lewis Park celebrates the women's making a difference in political and civ civic life of our city and whereas this day calls for a celebration of the women across the city, state, country and rural that show up and advocate for equality in the workplace, health care, child care, parenting and much more. And whereas challenging gender discrimination and all forms of oppression honors women's equality day and celebrates to our and contributes to our strategic priorities of being inclusive, equitable, and a vibrant city. Now, therefore, let it be known that the mayor and the city council of the city of St. Louisis Park, Minnesota, hereby observe women's equality day 2026 in our community. [applause] >> Now, Council Member Broson did say he was going to publicly apologize on beh. [laughter] >> Yes. On behalf of all men, every place. I I would like to note though that that there's some great resources attached on the agenda packet to read a little bit more about the the history and the struggle women had to get equal rights. And I don't think that the struggle's over. And we all have to be constantly vigilant to try to protect these rights that they're entitled to. And I'd encourage all citizens to continue to support that fight and also take a look at the website. >> I would agree. I think it is. Before I say my comments, any others on this, I will say um Oh, go ahead, Council. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um I also just want to thank I I'm sorry I missed exactly who put this together. I'm guessing our REI team maybe. Was there anybody else? Am I missing? Um just for noting that the 19th Amendment um only gave rights to white women to vote. I think I really appreciate that being noted in there because oftentimes we say the 19th amendment gave women the right to vote and that's not entirely true. Um and so I just thank all of all of those who have continued to fight for voting rights across the board throughout the entire history of this country and uh we need to keep at it because it's fragile and um so thanks for those who have done it and thanks to those um who continue to do it today. >> Thank you. Uh uh ditto council member. Um I think it is uh it is something that we will continue to fight for both at in our individual lives and both at the city level and at the state level and at the federal level. Um I I think as conversations come up about women's autonomy and women's right to make decisions for themselves is uh in question or conversations are being had. It is definitely important to continue to recognize and to continue to fight for that. And as you mentioned, uh we I'm incredibly thankful for especially for the folks who work at this at the intersection of uh uh womenhood in uh and um race and ethnicity and and within that uh definitely does get more complex as as it starts to um um as it starts to um get into other identities and other ways that people identify themselves. And so anyways, thank you uh for that council member and thank you for our team and staff for putting this together. Without further ado, I'm going to move on to our next thing on the agenda, which is the uh recognition of donations. I have two donations I would like to recognize. One is anonymous, but I still want to say thank you. uh a donation of $170,000 uh uh which is in donation to the light lighting in the west west arena of the rec center. So thank you so much for that. That's a huge donation. I think that's the largest donation I have read from this desk. So thank you and the fact that you did choose to stay anonymous definitely will respect that. Um, and then the second is uh from Johnny Pops uh which is a donation of $1,050 uh which is which donated uh 1,400 popsicles for the National Night Out uh 2026. So, thank you Johnny Pops. Those are the only two uh donations I want to recognize at this time or I still have I have them there. All right, moving on to the minutes. We have two minutes. Do I have um any corrections, amendments, motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is that for both? Council member Ferris. Yep. All right. Uh it's been moved and seconded. Do I have any discussion? >> Um yes. I I'd just like to note on the special study session meeting minutes of August 3rd, 2026, um our deputy chief sodom was listed as Mr. repeatedly as opposed to deputy chief of police. Possibly that could be corrected. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. Was that for August 3rd? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, no notes on the on the August 3rd or I guess special study session. What was it? Okay. All right. Seeing no further discussion, I'll move on to the votes. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> All opposed. >> All right. I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that is without an amendment. >> It is. >> Okay. All right. The minutes have been approved as presented. Uh, thank you, Council Member Brson. I will move on to the the consent items. So, I have a couple of consent items on here. Uh, any I didn't hear anybody wanting to pull anything off, so I will entertain a motion. >> I'd move the consent agenda as presented. Okay, >> I'll second that. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> No. >> Yeah. Oh, yep. >> Uh I will offer on uh item 5e. Uh this spring uh May June time frame, we uh changed our uh city code to align with uh state statute to allow micro breweries, micro distilleries to obtain uh temporary uh liquor licenses. Uh Dom FKs is the uh first to uh take advantage of that uh change to our city code. So uh you know again uh helping uh St. Louis Park be uh be businessfriendly. >> That's important. Thank you. All right. Any others? All right. Seeing no further discussion, I will move on to the votes. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> All right. The consent agenda is approved unanimously. Um, moving on to the public hearings, we have two uh on our six 6A and 6B. Um, but we're going to start with 6A. It is the um the the public hearing for the 2027 uh special service districts, District 1. I'm going to move on to I see that staff is ready. I'm going to pass it on to you. >> Thank you very much. Uh thank you very much, Mayor Muhammad. My name is Kayla Fischer. I'm the public services superintendent and deputy public works director. Uh here tonight to as was noted to to open up or give some background information before opening uh the public hearing this night this evening for special service districts 1 through six. Uh we um we're asking council this evening to open a public hearing, take testimony, and close the public hearing. The policy question before you this evening is whether or not council has any questions about the uh special service districts or you'll hear me refer to them as SSDs. Um special service districts budget and service charges for 2027. But first, I'm going to provide you with some background information and other info regarding those budget and service charges for districts 1 through six, as well as uh district 1's extension as part of this public hearing that's required. So, just a little bit of background, the city has six SSDs where a higher level of service is provided by the city and funded through the district's service fees. The terms of length length for authorization to set those fees annually is 10 years. And this year, SSD1 property owners have petitioned the city to reauthorize the district for another of 10 years through 2036. So, just as a frame of reference as to where these districts are throughout the city, uh SSD 1 is along 36th Street east of Highway 100 down Park Center Boulevard and then Excelsier Boulevard between Park Center and Quinton Avenue. And I just want to note that while these maps uh show large parcels, those are the parcels that are property owners in the district, but the services occur along that red line. Essentially we call it the streetscape. So it's along the boulevard and um in medians where these higher level of service and infrastructure occur. District two is in Excelsier Boulevard between Monterey and France avenues. District three is on Excelsier Boulevard between Quint uh sorry between Quinton and Monterey Drive. Special service district 4 is on Excelsier Boulevard between Louisiana Avenue and Highway 100. District 5 is up in the West End area along Parkplace Boulevard from Weisetta Boulevard at the north to Cedar Lake Road. And finally, District 6 is on 36th Street between Wooddale Avenue and Highway 100. All right. So, those extra services that I noted, um, in these districts, there's additional infrastructure, which you've, uh, may have noticed if you've been in the area, landscaping, decorative elements, raised planter boxes, and and the like. Uh the maintenance for this extra infrastructure and landscaping is administered by city staff through contracts for the landscaping irrigation banners. And in some districts, all of them except district six, there's winter tree lighting. And then in two districts, districts one and three, there's sidewalk snow removal. So the focus for this evening is the budget and service charges. And as you can see on the slide here and in the in the staff report, the 2027 budget and service charges that are subject to this public hearing, uh staff have kept all budgets flat in districts with the exception of district six where the budget was decreased. uh each of the districts had enough funds in reserves. [clears throat] So essentially all six of these districts have their own funds uh and unused funds are rolled over yeartoyear. Uh we have a methodology for determining whether or not an increase in service charge is needed based on the health of that fund and this year we determined that we would be able to keep the service charges flat for 2027. So that is the proposal for all six districts. Uh I will also note this is noted there are several districts where the city owns property and the city also pays uh those service fees towards the uh services that are provided in the district. As part of this process, uh we are required under state statute to notify property owners of this public hearing this evening and the uh proposed budget and service charges. So those uh those items have happened through direct mailings and posting in uh the Sun Sailor. And at this point, no significant comments have been received from property owners. We received one comment from a property owner who was supportive who noted they wouldn't be at the uh at the public hearing tonight, but that um they were supportive of the services and the fees that are being proposed. So, uh as a reminder, the policy question and recommended action this evening, uh recommended action is opening the public hearing and taking testimony. um policy question is just asking what questions council may have of the proposed uh budget and service fees. After this meeting, there will be uh on the September 8th city council agenda. The city council would be asked to adopt individual resolutions for each district, setting the 2027 budgets and service charges and reertifying district 1 for the 10-year period. And with that, I will uh stand for any questions. >> Thank you so much, Kayla. Uh before I open the public hearing, does council have any clarifying questions? I will come back for general and uh questions and comments later. No. Okay. All right. I'm going to feel the pulse to see if there's anybody who wants to do a or I mean I have to open the public hearing, don't worry. I just want to know if anybody wants to speak on this item before I go through the 1212 around make awkward eye contact with people. Okay. All right. Uh seeing none, um I'm going to open up this public hearing officially for anybody who wants to come and speak. going once, twice, three times, and sold to no one. All right, I will officially close this public hearing. Uh, that's the awkward part. We had to do it by procedure. Um, all right. I'm going to open it up to the council to see if they have any questions for Kayla or comments on this. I will remind council that we are not voting on this. So, go ahead. Um I submitted a question to this effect, but I just wanted to comment on um how wonderful it is to see no increases in an in an economy. Right now we're seeing a lot of increases. So um I wanted to compliment people on their great budgeting work there and um and uh I love driving through and visiting those those districts because they um really add something to the city. So thanks. >> Thank you, council member. Any others? All right. Uh, seeing none, uh, Caleb, that shows me that you did a great job with the presentation. We had no questions. Um, we're gonna move on to, uh, 6B, which I believe Joe is going to be presenting on that. Um, uh, while Joe is coming up. Um, I'm going to remind uh, folks that again, this is another public hearing. So, if you do want to speak on this, please, uh, indicate by, you know, showing me your hand or, you know, um, filling out the blue cards in the back. Um, without further ado, Joe, you have a floor. >> Uh, good evening, council members, Mayor Muhammed, city manager, uh, Keller, and everybody else in attendance for tonight's um, public hearing. Uh, before we kick that kings off of the public hearing, I just have a quick presentation on the 2027 fee adoption first hearing. So for policy question here is recommended action motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance adopting fees for the 2027 and set uh a second reading for se September 22nd 2026 uh for policy consideration is the council supportive of the proposed fees. So looking at our timeline here, our budget season really starts up pretty early in 2026, kicking things off in the spring when we start doing a department analysis and uh getting those fees determined for 2027. Uh those fees were included in a lot of those proposed uh 2027 budget items that we saw earlier in August. Uh in August 2026, this month here, uh we adjusted new fees and added the to the to the appendix A and then a public hearing notice was sent out. Uh today as August 17th, we're doing the first reading and adoption of the 2027 fees. On September 22nd, 2026, we will be doing the second reading and the adoption of the 2027 fees. And then the big date to circle is January 1st, 2027 when the new fee schedule takes effect. A couple little items. Uh the majority of the fees are seeing about a 3.5% increase to keep up with inflation. Um the utility billing and the admin fees weren't included on the first reading. Um those items will be included on the second reading. We'll be covering the utility billing further in the study se session. And then um as we go to these next slides here, there's not a lot of changes. I know in the past we've had a lot of like additions and subtractions. This year it's pretty quiet for fees being eliminated in 2027. Uh duplicate DVDs, five plus copies with the Park TV program. It's just very rarely used. Uh same with the duplicate v video USB. Uh it's just a very rarely used item there. Open hockey admission, it's removed from the rock, uh but it's still able to participate at the rec center there. As well as the 10 punch pass, still able to participate at the rec center. Uh energy benchmarking, uh the state took over, uh that program. Uh so the fee itself pretty much got eliminated here at the city. Uh printing size 24 by 36 for residential printing. Um on the other side of things, uh just new fees, printing size is 24 by 24 and 22 by 34. Not a lot of new fees this year. Um but yeah, any questions? Um just clarifying that um the the fees for admin and the uh utility billing fees will be included on the second reading, but we'll be coming over those utility fees further in our study session. See if anybody wants to make comments about this. [cough and clears throat] I love how you're like shaking your head. Please don't look at me. Oh, this wasn't on. Okay. All right. Um, with [laughter] with that with that, I'm gonna close this public hearing. Thank you all. I'm going to pass it on to council to see if anybody have any is anybody have any questions, comments, or motion because a reminder we will be uh voting to approve whether to approve the first reading of this ordinance tonight and not adopting it >> council. Okay, I'll entertain a motion. I'll motion to approve the first reading of the 2027 fees and set the second date for the reading in September. >> September 8th. >> September 8th. >> Second. >> Okay. Um, it's been moved and seconded. Do I have any further discuss? >> Yes. >> Mayor, may I may I just amend the date? The second reading would be September 22nd. >> I thought it was that, but I I trusted you. >> I'm sorry. I missed you. >> It's okay, Mayor. >> Oh, no. I am trustable you guys. I'm trustworthy. Um but okay, thank you for the amendment. Um do I have any Do we need to correct anything else? No. Right. >> No, I believe the motion in the second is to approve it and then move the date as corrected to September 22nd. >> Yes. Perfect. >> Yes, council member. >> Uh just a brief comment. the taxpayers are going to see us increase in their trash collection services and uh I just want people to be aware of that and come forward between now and September 22nd. If you have any objection to this, please let us know. But it's a reality of that's what the cost of the services are running us. Um we we have to adjust them accordingly and we're going to be talking more about it. Uh any others? All right, seeing none, I will move on to the votes. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> All right. The uh motion to move this to approve this the first reading of this ordinance uh is passed. I will see you back here on the 22nd for the second reading. Okay. All right. Thank you so much, Joe. Um, moving on to regular business, which we have none tonight. I'll move on to the communications. Kim, any communications for this evening? >> I do have a couple. Thank you, mayor. I want to call out that Movies in the Park is happening. The very first one will be next week on August 27th at 8:15 p.m. Sorry, at dusk. We're going to watch Minecraft um over at Aworth Park. Uh I also want to give a preview out to Welcoming Week. This is something that's not happening until September, September 10th through the 19th, but it's just a very, very important initiative and so I want people to be able to plan for it. Welcoming week is put on by Welcoming America. Um, it provides individuals and organizations the opportunity to bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of a welcoming and inclusive place. So, we've got multiple things happening. Um, we're going to be hosting a community gathering. um Human Rights Commission is taking the lead on this. So, we're very grateful for all of their work and efforts. Um the community gathering is scheduled to be held on September 15th from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Rock. Really, we're going to focus on sharing stories and highlighting the experiences of immigrant and refugee communities. Um and experiencing a culturally meaningful dish or a recipe that's been brought to share. There's also uh window clings that are free for businesses in the community. welcoming week business uh window clings. Um and those can be um those can be picked up through um our racial equity and inclusion team. You can email them for that. You can get them before or after the event as well. And then there's all the daily ways to be a welcomer because it's one thing to do an event and to celebrate. It's another thing to daily daily show your appreciation and and the value that people bring. So, um, on the website there's probably, I don't know, a dozen or 15 different ideas on how you can do your daily practice of being a welcomer here in our community. So, just want to take a moment and and talk about all of that. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Thank you. Thank you. Almost called you, Council Member. Thank you. Thank you, Sud manager. Kim, go ahead. >> I just wanted to um call out since we m last met, we've had an election in the city and we had record turnout. Um uh almost half of the registered voters voted in this primary that happened last Tuesday and um it went very smoothly. Our election staff worked hard and our election judges and all the people involved. So it um was a a a great um a well-run event and um thank you to all the voters that engaged civically. >> Thank you uh for the reminder uh council member. Yes. And thank you to all the election judges and election workers who made this happen. It is a big part of our democracy and so I'm glad all of us were doing our part. >> Yep. Go ahead, Council Member. >> Yeah. I I wanted to share about an event that happened a week ago today, but before I did that, I wanted to make sure because it took place in your ward that you weren't planning on saying anything or you mayor weren't planning on saying anything because you know I have to. >> I know. [laughter] But uh a lot of people don't know about what happened because the um Paige Beckers did not want a lot of publicity. Um but uh Paige Beckers who is a famously one of the uh great WNBA basketball players um currently in the WNBA and grew up in St. Louis Park donated money for a new b to renovate the court that she grew up playing on. And there was a ribbon cutting with a an organization um that works with teenagers around building using sports to bridge the education gap that she had uh come along for this event. And it was a really powerful event, I thought. Um and Paige Beckers is just this incredible human being really. She's an a great basketball player and she's an even better human. Um and she prides herself on um the way in which St. Louisis Park raised her and made her the woman and the basketball player that um that she is. And she even spoke to um envisioning herself as a child playing on the the basketball court at Blackstone Park um and uh thanking that child for her hard work that got her to where she is today and thanking the city um for for raising her even though she went to Hopkins High School to play basketball like all the talented people do. Um, but I wanted to just name that because it's a really cool looking court. It has written on it, all you need is a ball and a basket. Um, which I think is or a basket in a ball is all you need is actually what it says, which I think is a beautiful message that she implored into into the kids there. Um, and she just was glowing when she was with the kids and she tolerated us adults [laughter] and it was a really powerful event. I encourage you to go check out the basketball court over there. It's It's really pretty great. And also, this is the second court that she and her sponsors and such have funded in St. Louis Park. There's also one at um >> at Peter Hobart. Thank you. Yeah. So, um go check them out because they're really cool basketball courts >> and it kind of puts us on the map for we were get on the map for a lot of things, but um this is getting some national attention even just because Paige Beckers is a national figure. So, thank you to Paige out there and go out and check out this court at Blackstone Park. It's pretty cool. >> Thank you. Thank you, council member. Um, yes, Ditto. I I believe you have a photo of me realizing what an awesome human being she is. It It was caught in 4K and I was just stargazing. Um, um, but yes, I think anytime that people can come back to their community and contribute and be a part of, you know, uh, the kids and be a part of our community is amazing. Um, and, uh, it was an opportunity to work with her. Thank thank our staff for making that happen as well. All right. Um any others? All right. Seeing none, I feel like there's I'm forgetting something, but seeing none, I'm going to >> Yes. Oh, go ahead, guys. >> What we're forgetting is thanks to all the community members that went out and made National Night Out such a great event last week. >> Um number of people traveled around like our mayor to a number of parties. I just stayed at my local one and had a great time seeing my neighbors and friends after a while. And uh it it's really the community turnout that makes it a great event. That being said, our staff members, our public safety, our our you our uh public works people all went out and made appearances at local parties and uh the excitement that the kids showed when giant construction equipment showed up or police or fire at these meet at these gettogethers was wonderful. So, thank you to the staff for putting in the time and effort to go to those parties, too, because it's really appreciated by the community members. >> I'm sorry, that just reminded me of one quick thing. No, I um on that note, um I didn't know that this happened, but like our engineering department, my neighborhood is getting all kinds of construction work done and my block is torn up and um I didn't know that it was practice for our engineering department to go to those neighborhoods and to field questions and talk to people about how it's going. So, I just really appreciate that. Um it was nice to see them out there and just engage with the community in that way which I don't think I would require of them [laughter] but it's a really nice touch and so I appreciate that from our engineering department. >> Thank you council member. With that I will really insist this meeting be adjourned because we have to go downstairs. Thank you all. Uh and this meeting is adjourned. Thank you.