Minutes - 2026/02/23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 23, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 13 creating a grant program but rather was providing a donation to distribute food. He explained the City was spending a great deal of money on this, noting this was an unfunded expense and the budget has not been amended. He recommended the City create a grant program for funds to be issued to Manna Market. City Administrator Zikmund advised the City Attorney read from State Statute that this was one of the authorized expenditures. He noted non-profit food shelves were an approved municipal expense. Heather Schugard, 7984 Woodlawn Drive, explained she was proud of the great work the City has done to support the people in the City. She indicated she grew up in a family that relied on the food shelf for quite a while. She appreciated the fact the resources she was giving to the City was now being used to help others in need. She supported the City continuing the Manna Market funding through the end of the year. Mayor Lindstrom stated each of the Councilmembers has volunteered their time at the Manna Market because there was a need. Council Member Smith reviewed the comments she has received from the public noting some people were afraid to attend the Manna Market because they were afraid, they would be retaliated against. She indicated another resident let her know they would not receive boxes because they were unable to use the food that was being provided and were more in need of rice and flour. She further explained that she understood this was a pilot program. She supported the program continuing but recommended only deliveries be made to ensure the boxes were going to Mounds View residents. She explained Mounds View was the only City that has taken money out of its budget to provide food resources when the SNAP benefits were put on hold. Mayor Lindstrom stated there was such a large need at this time that he did not want to do away with the drive through option. Council Member Smith indicated she was concerned with the fact the City was providing services through taxpayers’ dollars to people outside the community. She understood people were coming through the drive through and they did not have a financial need and others were taking the food from the drive through and were taking it to another community to sell it. She supported the City finding a way to ensure the deliveries and drive through was offered only to Mounds View residents because taxpayer dollars were being used to fund the program. Council Member Clark reported the program was not allowed to discriminate as to who does or does not receive the food given how the program was funded. She explained the City would not be allowed to close the services off to just Mounds View residents, otherwise the City would have to pay full price for the food. Mayor Lindstrom discussed the cost for the box of food and stated he believed this was one of the best programs the City could offer to taxpayers because the food was being given directly back to taxpayers at a reduced rate.