Maplewood Awards $58,750 in Charitable Gambling Funds as Requests Top $154,000
Ten nonprofits, including Merrick Community Services and Tubman, will share the 2027 pot after 23 organizations applied for more than double the available money.
The Maplewood City Council unanimously approved $58,750 in 2027 charitable gambling fund awards to 10 organizations Monday, Nov. 9, choosing from among 23 applicants that had collectively requested roughly $154,000.
The awards were drawn from a budget of about $60,000, meaning the city was able to fund less than 40 percent of the total dollars sought. Recipients included the 622 Education Foundation, Merrick Community Services, the Salvation Army and Tubman, according to the meeting record.
The motion to approve the proposed award amounts was made by Council member Lee and seconded by Council member Juenemann. It passed on a unanimous voice vote with no amendments offered from the dais.
A competitive pool
City Manager Michael Sabol outlined the application and review process for the council, noting that staff member Lois Knudsen developed the scoring process used to evaluate the applications and rank them against the limited funding available.
The gap between demand and available dollars has become a defining feature of the program. With requests exceeding the budget by roughly $94,000, the scoring framework determined which organizations received awards and which were left out of the 2027 allocation.
Part of a full agenda
The gambling awards were one of several items the council handled Monday at Maplewood City Hall. Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Abrams thanked election staff and judges who worked long shifts across a 47-day voting period and congratulated Council members Lee and Juenemann on their election results.
Other Topics from This Document
Election staff recognition and oath/roll call
Mayor Abrams thanked election staff (Andrea), judges working 15-hour days and a 47-day voting period, congratulating council members Lee and Juenemann on election results (D1).
Approval of agenda and minutes (Oct 26, 2026)
Agenda approved with added items on overnight parking and a potential council resolution. Oct 26 workshop and regular minutes approved with one abstention each (Cave) (D1).
Administrative presentations: upcoming meetings and events
City Manager Sabol previewed a lengthy Nov 23 meeting (Century Ave/MnDOT, climate mitigation plan, EV update, 2027 legislative program, budget presentations), a possible special EDA meeting, truth-in-taxation Dec 14, and a fixed-location Santa event Dec 19 (D1).
Overnight parking and snow removal enforcement
Council member Cave raised resident concerns about overnight parked cars impeding plows. Sabol cited ~4 narrow-street neighborhoods, plans for flyers, social media outreach, partnerships with churches/schools for lot parking, and tow truck shortages (D1).
Proposed resolution honoring Varland brothers
Mayor Abrams announced a resolution for MLB pitchers Louie Varland (Toronto Blue Jays, 2025 trade, first All-Star Game in July) and Gus Varland (Washington Nationals), Maplewood natives, to be presented Nov 23 (D1).
Consent agenda items G1–G6
Consent agenda items G1 through G6 approved unanimously; included firefighter wellness screening contract (D1).
Joint Powers Agreement with Little Canada for boardwalk replacement
Council approved JPA for replacing the 2008 boardwalk linking Thunder Bay Trail and Lake Links Trail. Cost rose from ~$381k to ~$432k; Maplewood share $83,227; $250k DNR grant; completion by June 30 deadline (D1).
2027 Fire Department budget presentation
Fire chief requested $11.8M, a 10% increase, mostly salaries/benefits to sustain SAFER grant firefighters. 49.5 FTEs; whole blood program credited with 3 saves; $2M federal funding for East Metro training facility; engine costs up to $1.3M (D1).
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