Woodbury City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Affordable Housing Development Assistance Policy
Presentation of Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association Award of Excellence
Public Forum: Resident Concerns
Approval of On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Hazelwood Food & Drink
Sale of General Obligation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds
Bailey West Master Plan Approval
Transportation Projects Update
City Administrator's Report: 4th of July Celebration
Votes (4)
Consideration of Adoption of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Affordable Housing Development Assistance Policy
Dissent: Member Wilson noted 'With reservation, yes' during the roll call vote, indicating minor hesitation but ultimately supporting the policy.
Moved by Council member Morris [8:00] · Seconded by Council member Santini [8:04]
Jamie, a staff member, presented HRAD 1.7, explaining its role in providing subordinate loans, prioritizing 50% AMI households, and establishing a revolving loan fund using LAHA. Councilmember Morris raised concerns about the fund's self-sustainability, referencing past programs. Jamie clarified that forgiveness is rare and the goal is patient lending for repayment to strengthen the fund. Discussion also covered eligible uses, the application process, and the impact of Woodbury's DDA removal.
Considering the Approval of an On-Site Intoxicating Liquor License for Hazelwood Food & Drink
Moved by Council member Santini [22:10] · Seconded by Council member Morris [22:15]
Angela, city staff, presented the application for a liquor license transfer for Hazelwood Food & Drink due to a corporate ownership change. She confirmed that the new owner intends to operate the business in the same manner as currently licensed, and all necessary fees, reviews by the city attorney, and background checks were completed. There were no public comments or significant council questions beyond confirming the menu would not change.
Considering the Approval of the Sale of General Obligation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds
Moved by Council member Santini [26:10] · Seconded by Council member Morris [26:22]
Jason Schumacher (CFO) and Jason Arswold (Ehlers) presented the results of the bond sale for the public safety campus expansion. They highlighted the city's affirmed Triple A rating, a low true interest cost, and a significant premium received. Councilmember Morris questioned the decision to issue all debt at once rather than staggering, and received clarification that early bond retirement is anticipated due to strong sales tax revenues. The strategy to retain the premium for project costs was also explained.
Considering the Approval of the Bailey West Master Plan
Moved by Council member Santini [45:00] · Seconded by Council member Morris [45:04]
Eric Searles provided an overview of the Bailey West Master Plan, highlighting its components like stormwater management, greenways, architectural scheming, and comprehensive plan modifications. Planning Commission Liaison Shay Seabrooks reported on safety concerns raised regarding Century Avenue South. Three residents (Johnny Demay, Roger Anderson, Ellen McPartlin) spoke in opposition to the Century Avenue extension due to traffic, safety, and environmental concerns, requesting its removal or further study. Council members discussed the complexities of the multi-jurisdictional road and the plan's flexibility. The council ultimately adopted the plan with an amendment to review the Century Avenue connection as part of the 2050 comprehensive plan.
Notable Quotes (11)
So, what this policy does is it creates a framework for the HRA to provide financial assistance to new affordable housing developments. Um, it establishes formal procedures for requesting funds for a project. So, that'd be an application process, determining eligible projects and expenditures, project underwriting, loan terms, and compliance monitoring.
Um and repaid funds through this policy it would be like a re- revolving loan type program. When those funds come back, we strengthen our pool that could go out to a future projects uh for, you know, a loan or some other type of assistance.
I just don't want us to go into this with a without the with that understanding of what's going to be self-sustaining. Right?
Um, so, for before you tonight is a liquor license consideration for Create Restaurants Minnesota LLC doing business as Hazelwood Food and Drink... The new owner is already operating or intending to operate the business in the same manner as it was before. So it's the same um as currently licensed.
I'm happy to say that they have affirmed the city's triple A rating, which again is the highest rating that they do assign.
And so we had a lot of discussion in advance of this anticipating that this was going to be the case working with your staff, working with legal counsel. What do we do with those dollars cuz we're probably going to get them and decided that those it's best to retain those because you can use those to pay for project costs instead of some of the other existing fund balances that were going to be pulled to pay for the cost of this facility.
Estimates at this point is we would have enough revenue in house to actually call it at year six, but we put in seven just to be conservative.
The master plans are also required as part of a council policy that was adopted in late 2024. In this case, this is a common ownership that exceeds 100 acres in size. So, the directive is for the city to conduct a master plan in advance of development reviews.
Um but what I'm here to mention is our opposition to um pushing Century Avenue South through into Bailey Road. So, Century Avenue South uh it actually goes through our property as we have land on both sides of the street. ... And what we found in living in here is that we've never felt so far away from a park. And the reason why we say that is we don't have a safe way as a pedestrian to access them.
I'm asking you to reconsider the Century Avenue extension, pushing through the road as they spoke without additional studies, uh traffic, noise, pollution, runoff. I feel the EAU's study may be insufficient in that considering specifics for this area. Carver Lake is a protected water area under the Minnesota DNR designation and other factors I'll walk through.
So is there a way to adopt the majority of this plan and leave that section of Century up for discussion at the 2050?
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
New policy establishing framework for HRA financial assistance to affordable housing developments.
Resolution for adopting HRAD 1.7.
Council workshop where staff was directed to craft the affordable housing policy.
Meeting materials including the affordable housing policy.
Agreement that transferred sanitary sewer billing from Woodbury to Newport for Rolling Acres.
Referenced for water usage data and Carver Lake protection designation.
Traffic study mentioned in relation to Bailey West Master Plan and Century Avenue.
Existing comprehensive plan, modified by Bailey West Master Plan.
Future comprehensive plan, to include review of Century Avenue connection.
Budget where LAHA funds and HRA loans are accounted for.
Resolution for awarding the sale of general obligation sales tax revenue bonds.
Resolution for adopting the Bailey West Master Plan.
Prior master plan that led to comprehensive plan amendments.