Story2025 Civilian Employee of the Year AwardSeptember 9, 2026

City Council Commends Staff Contributions Amidst Anticipation for 2025 Civilian Employee of the Year Award

While specific details of the city's top civilian honor were not publicly deliberated, council members highlighted the critical role dedicated municipal employees play in ensuring St. Louis Park's smooth operation across various departments.

Published Sep 26, 2026

As St. Louis Park progresses through a busy season of municipal operations and planning, the dedication of its civilian employees remains paramount. Although specific discussions regarding the 2025 Civilian Employee of the Year Award, including its nominees or selection process, were not part of recent public City Council proceedings, council members took several opportunities to underscore the vital work performed by city staff. Their contributions span essential services, complex financial management, and meticulous urban development initiatives, forming the backbone of the community’s infrastructure and quality of life.

The indispensable nature of city staff was particularly evident during deliberations on the first reading of utility rates for 2027. Ensuring residents receive high-quality water, sewer, and sanitation services requires constant oversight and strategic financial planning. Council members praised the diligent efforts of the teams responsible for these critical functions.

They're necessary. We have to do it to continue to provide the highquality utility services that are that our customers, our citizens have become used to. And I think staff's done a really good job of of trying to balance it out and and maintain healthy reserve funds so that we can deal with the aging infrastructure on a steady and regular basis and also in emergencies when we need to.
— Council member Brosen

The complexity involved in setting these rates was further detailed, illustrating the challenging environment in which city finance personnel operate. Factors such as rising capital and operational costs, coupled with fluctuating water consumption patterns due to weather variability, demand careful management and foresight from staff to maintain fiscal stability and service reliability.

Some of the key drivers behind the rate changes uh include rising capital and operation costs across utilities. This includes inflation. Um also the variability in water consumption patterns. Um, if we have a dry summer, we pull in more revenue because everyone's irrigating. Uh, however, if we have a wet summer, we're not really bringing in much revenue. So, we kind of have to balance that from year to year.

Other Topics from This Document

Welcoming Week 2026 Proclamation
Ceremonial Oath of Office for Police Officers
2025 Robert Lenell Officer of the Year Award
Recognition of Community Donations

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Votes (3)

Consent Agenda Approval

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [00:20:41] · Seconded by Unknown [00:20:46]

Discussion highlights included the significant volunteer efforts of election judges who put in long hours for smooth and reliable elections, and an explanation of the resolution approving an 8th amendment to a private development contract for the 20 West End property in Central Park West. The extension was granted due to the challenging market conditions for office building financing.

First Reading of Utility Rates for 2027

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Council member Brosen [00:20:53] · Seconded by Council member Angle King [00:21:52]

The City Council held the first reading for proposed 2027 utility rates. The proposed increases are 7% for water, a 1% decrease for sanitary sewer (resulting in a 3.5% overall increase), 1.5% for storm water, and 7.5% for solid waste. Key drivers cited were rising capital and operation costs, inflation, variability in water consumption, and the need to maintain healthy cash reserves for aging infrastructure and unplanned projects. Council members discussed the necessity of these increases, resident options to manage costs, and proactive infrastructure maintenance.

First Reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendment Pertaining to Medical and Dental Clinic

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Council member Angle King [00:30:31] · Seconded by Council member Bud [00:31:07]

The City Council considered the first reading of a zoning ordinance amendment to permit limited medical, dental clinic, and office uses (less than 2,500 sq ft) in N2, N3, and N4 zoning districts, with specific standards. These standards define allowed uses (e.g., dental care, physical therapy, prenatal care) and prohibit those generating hazardous waste or significant impacts (e.g., surgery, radiotherapy), with an exception for X-ray as an incidental use. The amendment aims to support businesses like a prenatal collaborative seeking to relocate to St. Louis Park.

Notable Quotes (9)

I will note the uh one of the items is approval of the appointments for election judge in the general election and our elections run smoothly because your neighbors are willing to put in 14 hour days.
— Council member Angle King [00:21:04]

Consent Agenda Approval

Uh item number five is a resolution approving the eth amendment to a contract for private development relating to Central Park West. U the it's the 20 West End property that was slated to be developed as office buildings and uh we're we're granting them an extension of time because the office building market is very tight right now.
— Council member Brosen [00:22:28]

Consent Agenda Approval

Some of the key drivers behind the rate changes uh include rising capital and operation costs across utilities. This includes inflation. Um also the variability in water consumption patterns. Um, if we have a dry summer, we pull in more revenue because everyone's irrigating. Uh, however, if we have a wet summer, we're not really bringing in much revenue. So, we kind of have to balance that from year to year.
— Tiffany, Finance Director [00:19:16]

First Reading of Utility Rates for 2027

I heard from a couple constituents that um were interpreting those increases as cumulative, so that the total amount of the increase would be um 19.5%. And I wanted to see if you could clarify whether or not that's the case. It would not be cumulative. It would be a let's say the 3% increase on whatever their bill is currently.

Ordinances & Resolutions (5)

Proclamation observing welcoming week 2026Other

Official proclamation by the Mayor and City Council declaring September 10th through 19th, 2026, as Welcoming Week in St. Louis Park.

8th amendment to a contract for private development relating to Central Park WestResolution

Resolution approving an extension of time for the development of the 20 West End property, originally slated for office buildings.

Utility rates for 2027Ordinance

Proposed ordinance setting the water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and solid waste utility rates for 2027.

Zoning ordinance amendment pertaining to medical and dental clinicOrdinance

Proposed ordinance amendment to allow limited medical, dental clinic, and office uses (less than 2,500 sq ft) in N2, N3, and N4 zoning districts with specific standards.

N2, N3, and N4 zoning districtsPlan

Specific zoning districts where limited medical/dental clinics are proposed to be allowed.

THE ST LOUIS PARK RECORDER

City Council Commends Staff Contributions Amidst Anticipation for 2025 Civilian Employee of the Year Award

Other Topics from This Document

Welcoming Week 2026 Proclamation

Ceremonial Oath of Office for Police Officers

2025 Robert Lenell Officer of the Year Award

Recognition of Community Donations

Want to know when new stories arrive?

The Breadth of Civilian Service

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Votes (3)

Notable Quotes (9)

Ordinances & Resolutions (5)

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