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

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Dear Members of the Mounds View City Council, I am writing as a small business owner who is deeply invested in the success, health, and vitality of the Mounds View community, and to respectfully request reconsideration of CrossFit North Star ’s eligibility for the City’s Small Business Forgivable Loan program. Last year, I was proud to participate in this program, which made it possible for us to install exterior signage on our building—an improvement that increased visibility, professionalism, and connection to the surrounding community. I appreciated the structure of the program and the accountability it requires, and I was proud to meet the terms necessary for the loan to be forgiven. Programs like this make meaningful reinvestment possible for small businesses like mine. I was recently informed that CrossFit North Star is no longer considered eligible for future rounds of this program because the business is viewed as too similar to the business that previously occupied this space. I would like to clearly and directly challenge that reasoning. First, I did not purchase an existing business. I am a brand-new owner operating a brand-new legal entity, under a new name, with new leadership, vision, and operations. The transaction was an asset purchase—not a business purchase. While the industry may appear similar at a surface level, the ownership, financial risk, decision-making, and day-to-day operations are entirely different. Disqualifying a new small business owner based on a predecessor ’s existence sets a concerning precedent and runs counter to the intent of a program designed to encourage reinvestment, improvement, and long-term sustainability. Second, CrossFit North Star is more than a fitness facility—we are a community. Within our walls, meaningful relationships are built every day. Our members support one another through personal challenges, celebrate milestones together, and consistently show up for each other and for this city. That sense of belonging and mutual support is intentional and central to how we operate. It is not interchangeable with what existed before, nor is it something that can be reduced to a business category. This sense of community was reflected at our Grand Reopening, which was attended by Mayor Lindstrom, Councilmember Clark, members of the Mounds View Police Department, and the SBM Fire Department. Their presence meant a great deal to us and reinforced what we believe to be a shared goal: building a healthier, more connected Mounds View. I was also encouraged by the Mayor ’s openness about personal fitness goals, which underscored how closely our mission aligns with the broader health and wellness priorities of the city. Third, our impact extends well beyond our four walls. In the almost two years that I have owned CrossFit North Star, we have donated over 10,000 pounds of food and monetary contributions to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf, donated over $2,000 to Every Meal, and supported numerous community-driven initiatives, including the Fitness Court located near City Hall. These efforts are not marketing tactics—they are a reflection of our values and our belief that being a small business in Mounds View comes with a responsibility to give back.