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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 24, 2025
I. CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Pro Tem Jenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Pro Tem Jenson invited the Council and audience to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Webster (Online), Mayor Pro Tem Jan Jenson, Councilmembers Lona Doolan,
Nadia Elnagdy, and Thomas Randle.
Absent: None.
Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello, Sustainability
Coordinator Minette Saulog, Finance Director Deborah Maloney, and Liquor
Operations Manager Mike Larson.
Others Present: County Commissioner MaryJo McGuire, Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker, and
GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations Co -Director at MPCA Kristin Mroz.
CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS.
IV. APPROVAL OF JUNE 24, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Elnagdy, to approve the City
Council Meeting Agenda of June 24, 2025, as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
A. Commissioner MaryJo McGuire Presentation.
Ramsey County Commissioner McGuire introduced herself. Ramsey County Commission
Manager Lynn Becker was also present at the City Council meeting.
Commissioner McGuire presented a PowerPoint.
Commission Manager Becker introduced herself and continued with the PowerPoint
presentation.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2025
Page 2
Councilmember Doolan noted Ramsey County does an outstanding job with St. Anthony
elections.
Mayor Pro Tern thanked both for their attendance and presentation.
B. Gold Leaf Challenge Award Presentation.
Sustainability Coordinator Saulog introduced Ms. Mroz.
Ms. Kristin Mroz, GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations Co -Director at MPCA, reviewed a
PowerPoint presentation of the Minnesota Gold Leaf Local Climate Action Challenge. The
Program Structure includes:
• Open to all types of communities — to challenge, assist, and recognize efforts that lead to
taking climate action.
• 44 Gold Leaf Actions & Guides — High -impact, high -priority best practices across
mitigation, adaptation, planning, and community connectedness.
• Awards for current actions — No past actions allowed. It's all about moving forward.
• Start with a Green Team — First and only action that is required.
Ms. Mroz reviewed the 44 Gold Leaf Actions under Climate Mitigation, Climate Planning,
Climate Adaptation, and Community Connectedness.
The St. Anthony Village Reported Actions include:
• CC1 — Combined Green Team — Parks and Environmental Commission meets quarterly.
• CC2 — Youth Involvement — High school student appointed to each City Commission (2
in 2024).
• CC3 — Youth Collaboration — Annual Water Conservation Poster Contest with 3rd and 4ch
grade students.
• CP7 — Climate Action Plan — Adopted Plan and began implementation.
• CP 10 — Climate Staff — Sustainability Coordinator hired.
• CA2 — Flood Mitigation — Harding Pond stormwater pond cleanout.
Ms. Mroz presented the Gold Leaf Challenge Award to St. Anthony.
Councilmember Doolan asked if Gold Leaf will be a program that continues, and Ms. Mroz
stated that in 2023, it was the pilot year, with 2024 the official start of the program. She asked if
there are plans to continue after GreenStep 5, and Ms. Mroz stated both programs will continue.
Mayor Pro Tern Jenson asked about the requirements for retaining the GreenStep 5 level, or is
there a GreenStep 6. Ms. Mroz stated that there will not be Step 6. A continuous improvement
loop has been created. St. Anthony was one of the first cities to become Step 1 and 2. He thanked
Ms. Mroz for attending the meeting and presenting the award.
Councilmember Doolan commended Ms. Mroz on her work with all cities.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2025
Page 3
2 A. Approve June 10, 2025. Council Meeting Minutes.
3 B. License and Permits.
4 C. Claims.
5 D. Resolution 25-042 — Authorizing Staff to Submit a Rgguest for State Bonding Related to
6 a Public Safet Facilit .
7 E. Resolution 25-045 — Liquor Store Refrigerant Upgrade.
9 Motion by Mayor Webster, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve the Consent
10 Agenda items.
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12 Motion carried 5-0.
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14 VII. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE.
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16 VIII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF - NONE.
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18 IX. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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20 A. Resolution 25-046 - ClearGov Software.
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22 Finance Director Maloney reviewed in support of improving the City's budgeting process, and
23 she recommends the purchase of ClearGov, a cloud -based budgeting and forecasting software.
24 ClearGov will allow staff to streamline budget development, improve internal collaboration, and
25 provide transparent, easy -to -understand financial data for the public.
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27 The current budgeting process relies heavily on spreadsheets and manual coordination, which is
28 time -intensive, increases the risk of errors, and limits Staff s ability to efficiently analyze data or
29 present it in a clear, visual format. Implementing ClearGov offers an opportunity to improve
30 efficiency and data accessibility while maintaining accuracy and transparency.
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32 The total cost for implementation, training, and the first year of service is $12,562.50. Ongoing
33 annual subscription costs will be $15,125 with a 3% annual increase. First -year costs have been
34 budgeted in the 2025 Capital Equipment Fund, while future subscription costs would be
35 incorporated into the General Fund operating budget. Although the initial implementation will
36 require greater time investment, it is expected that the long-term time savings will help offset
37 ongoing costs and deliver lasting operational benefits.
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39 Also provided for Council consideration were the ClearGov Presentation and Resolution 25-046.
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41 Councilmember Doolan asked about the cloud -based aspect, and Ms. Maloney stated it is similar
42 to using the bank software and is hosted on Amazon Web Services. It is very secure.
43 Councilmember Doolan asked if the cost is comparable to other software, and Ms. Maloney
44 stated it is a little less cost than other software available.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2025
Page 4
Mayor Pro Tem Jenson asked what the training time is for the software. Ms. Maloney stated that
Staff should be up and running for this budget cycle.
Mayor Webster noted this is a significant upgrade for the Finance Department. She asked if this
software would be used for MWMO and NineNorth. Ms. Maloney stated they will need to
investigate that further.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve Resolution
25-046 — A Resolution Authorizing the purchase of ClearGov Budget Software.
Motion carried 5-0.
B. Resolution 25-047 — Cannabis Dispensary - Municipal Cannabis Store Exploration.
Municipal Liquor Operations Manager Mike Larson reviewed a PowerPoint — Exploration:
Retail Cannabis. The agenda includes Decision to Explore Retail Cannabis Store, Market Forces
Impacting Municipal Retail, Municipal Retail Operations Overview, Our Competitive
Advantage, Understanding Cannabis, Vision for the Retail Experience, and Budget/Scope.
Mr. Larson reviewed the Opportunities presented by opening a cannabis retail location:
• Natural Extension of Current Municipal Retail Operations.
• Alignment with Mission and Core Values.
• Promote Product Knowledge and Education.
• Boost City Revenue.
• Offset Decline in Alcohol Revenue.
Mr. Larson reviewed the reasons why a cannabis retail location should fall under the Municipal
Liquor Stores:
• Serves the Community — Provides access to regulated, high -quality products that meet
community needs.
• Generate City Revenue — Supplies revenue to support City services and development
initiatives.
• Control the Sale of Legal Consumables — Ensure responsible distribution through proper
oversight and enforcement.
City Manager Yunker reviewed the Fiscal Reality, including the St. Anthony Village
Constraints. Research was done comparing it to other States that have sold cannabis for several
years. The competitive advantage was reviewed.
Mr. Larson reviewed Consumption Trends and Outlook, Revenue Opportunity, Minnesota vs.
Mature Cannabis States, Why St. Anthony Village Retail is a Competitive Advantage, Mission &
Values, Three Stores. One Brand, Retail Cannabis Store: Brand Identity, Retail Cannabis Store:
Brand Promise, Understanding Cannabis: Main Categories, Understanding Cannabis: Sales
Potential, Vision for the Cannabis Store, Vision for the Gathering Space, Site Concept: 3803
Stinson Blvd., Site Concept: Marketplace & Silver Lake Village, Retail Operations Organization
Structure, Sales Forecast, and Preliminary Budget & Timeline.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2025
Page 5
2 Mr. Yunker reviewed how this is a Revenue Opportunity for St. Anthony Village. Mr. Yunker
3 stated that the architect's estimate is $1,156,750. The HRA has $650,000 in available funds, and
4 the Liquor Fund has $500,000 in available funds. The Preliminary Timeline was reviewed.
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6 Mr. Larson provided a Summary of the Presentation. It aligns with St. Anthony Village
7 Municipal Retail Operations and Values.
8 • Community focus — St. Anthony Village is known for its small-town charm and high
9 quality of life. Expanding municipal liquor operations to include cannabis sales aligns
10 with a community -centered and education -based approach, especially as it emphasizes
11 safety, community benefit, and responsible use.
12 • Public ownership model — The City already operates municipal liquor stores, and
13 residents are familiar with our revenue -sharing model that supports local services.
14 Updating and extending this trusted model to cannabis sales under strict regulation is a
15 logical evolution.
16 • Successful expansion — Successful expansion will rely on the City's long-established
17 public trust and the application of time -tested strategies developed over the past 20 years.
18 This effort will also emphasize education and the continued enforcement of rigorous
19 safety protocols, both essential as we grow our retail operations to connect with new
20 customers and future generations.
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22 Council is requested to discuss whether this concept fits St. Anthony Village and if Council is
23 comfortable with the vision and project scope. Approval is requested for the initial step,
24 including architectural and engineering design, demolition, construction, documents (Oertel),
25 Branding and signage design across municipal operations (Platt Hollow Road), and authorize
26 solicitation for bids for interior and exterior demolition as appropriate. Further approvals for
27 each phase will be presented when ready. The proposed site was reviewed.
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29 Also provided for Council consideration are Oertel Architects — SAV Dispensary, Proposal
30 Samples, and Resolution 25-047
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32 Councilmember Doolan stated she appreciates all the work that has been done. She reviewed her
33 thinking since this was first brought up until now. When this was presented at the work session,
34 she learned it is more than just selling pot. One of her main questions and risks she is concerned
35 about has to do with messaging to the youth. The University of Minnesota is developing a
36 curriculum that will be shared in the schools. She asked about the budget for renovating the
37 existing facility. She assumes a large part of that is to bring the building to code and make it
38 functional. Could the investment put into that building be recouped if the building were sold?
39 Mr. Yunker stated that the one thing that must be built is a secure area for the products. It would
40 not affect the marketability of the building.
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42 Mayor Pro Tern Jenson asked if the HRA and Liquor Fund monies are available at this time, and
43 Mr. Yunker stated they can be used now. Mayor Pro Tem Jenson stated initially he was reluctant
44 to go forward with this, but now he is open to any revenue sources that are legal. It makes sense
45 since the City owns the property and the building.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2025
Page 6
Mayor Webster commented on Mr. Larson's leadership, being innovative and customer -oriented.
This is a helpful approach for the community. We will be able to guarantee a high -quality
product. The idea of a community hub is a brilliant approach. She is comfortable with the vision
and the product scope.
Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Mayor Webster, to approve Resolution 25-047
— A Resolution authorizing Staff to proceed with Architectural Design for a Cannabis Store and
Branding and Signage Design for a Cannabis Store and Existing Liquor Stores.
Motion carried 5-0.
X. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Yunker had no report.
Councilmember Randle had no report.
Councilmember Doolan had no report.
Councilmember Elnagdy had no report.
Mayor Pro Tem Jenson stated on June 17, he attended the Northeast Youth and Family Services
budget meeting. On June 12, he attended the Ramsey County Local League of Climate Action
Working Committee meeting. On June 13, he attended the Ramsey County Local League of
Governments Program Meeting.
Mayor Webster stated on June 23, she attended an online forum for elected officials from local
governments regarding safety at City Council meetings.
XI. COMMUNITY FORUM - NONE.
No one appeared to address the City Council.
XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - NONE.
A. Future Agenda Items
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on July 8, 2025.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to adjourn the June 24,
2025, City Council Meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2025
Page 7
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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3 Respectfully submitted,
4 Debbie Wolfe
5 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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10 ATTEST:
11 City Cle
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,l
Mayor