Agenda Packets - 2026/02/02 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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To Whom is May Concern Hello My name is Mahmoud, and I am writing to you on behalf of CrossFit North Star in Mounds View. I have been a member there for three years, and recently, our wonderful owner, Dana, informed us that the city will not be awarding their regular funding toward the gym. As a member of CrossFit, I urge you to reconsider your decision, and I hope I can share with you just a glimpse of how necessary this gym is to our community. I come from a cultural background with little to no emphasis on staying fit and engaging in physical exercise. I always knew that working out was necessary to maintain my physical and mental health, but like so many others, committing to a gym took a lot of effort. In my several years here in America, I’ve started and canceled many gym memberships. I’m proud to say that my membership with CrossFit North Star is my longest serving membership, and there is a good reason why that is. Dana has created an incredibly welcoming space for her members. I am naturally a shy person, and if you knew me, you would expect that I prefer to work out in a gym alone, where no one knows me or recognizes me. I thought I could pull that off at CrossFit, but the opposite happened. Not only was I welcomed with warmth and support, but Dana, her staff, and my fellow members check in on me when they notice I’m missing. We push each other, enjoy working out together, and have fun with the competitive nature of crossfit workouts. It’s been such a nice experience that whenever I think about cutting back on my monthly spending, my wife agrees to cut back on anything except the gym. CrossFit has helped my mental and physical health tremendously, and I always feel better and more energized after a challenging work out. Beyond that, Dana goes above and beyond in making sure we feel safe, engaged, and part of the larger community. She’s always look for creative ways to share CrossFit with others, to participate in community events, and get people moving. It’s been a pleasure to witness the dedication and care she puts into managing her gym and making it truly one of a kind. Sometimes I wish more people in our families, in our communities, get to experience the beauty of a small gym like we have at CrossFit North star. I believe it’s something that many people are missing in their lives. I hope that the Mounds View City Council can reconsider their decision and know that its funding is being put to meaningful and impactful use by Dana and her team. Thank you for your time and consideration Mahmoud Maragha