Please vote, donate to STEP, and more

​Greetings! Here’s city-related news for residents of Ward 1 and beyond. 

It’s time to VOTE! Care about our community and schools? Please vote. On the ballot are all four ward council seats and three school board seats. I applaud everyone wanting to serve our community – thank you for stepping up! In Ward 1, I believe Daniel Bashore is the best candidate for the job and I’ll be casting my vote for him. You can learn about all the SLP candidates (council and school board) using this handy MPR Voters Guide. 

In 2021, the most recent comparable election with no presidential ticket on the ballot, 4,660 people, or 13.7 percent of registered voters, participated. As of last Friday, 1,505 SLP voters had cast their ballots early. Let's top 2021! Remaining opportunities to vote are at SLP City Hall Monday, Nov. 3, from 8:30am-5pm and at your precinct polling location on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7am-8pm. 

Food insecurity fears: Among the many harms caused by the current U.S. government shutdown, disruptions to food benefits for low-income families are perhaps the most concerning. While a federal court ruling over the weekend requires the government to resume partial SNAP payments from a contingency fund, disruptions are still occurring and the future is unclear. Our local safety net organization STEP is rising to the occasion to feed families, but they need the community’s help. Let’s take care of the thousands of our neighbors who rely on SNAP by donating generously to STEP right now. Thank you!

Minnetonka Boulevard updates: Minnetonka Blvd. from Hwy 100 to France Ave. is open! The reconstructed stretch includes wide multi-use trails on both sides, new streetlights, new crosswalks with flashing beacons, and other improvements. Now Hennepin County is leading the planning process for the reconstruction of Minnetonka Boulevard from Hwy 100 west to Xylon Ave. beginning in 2027. County staff have developed three draft concepts based on community input so far. Public opinion matters on these projects – please take time to review the concepts and provide your input via the site. 

What can cities do about gun violence? In the wake of the Annunciation School shooting in Minneapolis, a growing coalition of Minnesota cities is calling on the state to end its preemption law, which prohibits municipalities from passing their own gun restrictions such as banning assault-style weapons, binary triggers, and high-capacity magazines. Several cities, including Edina, Hopkins, Golden Valley, Minnetonka, Richfield, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, are discussing or drafting ordinances that would take effect immediately if preemption is lifted. Are you in support of SLP drafting an ordinance that would not be enforceable under current law, but would make our intentions clear? Email me your thoughts. 

Tax credits expiring: Did you know the city puts out a monthly information-packed newsletter (subscribe here) on sustainability? A recent issue reminded readers that, as part of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, federal tax credits for rooftop solar and air source heat pumps, which many SLP residents and business owners have taken advantage of in recent years, will expire at the end of 2025. City staff are available right now to help folks take advantage of these credits before they expire – and learn how to access state, city and utility credits in 2026. Learn more about the changes and reach out to staff here.

Neighborhood grants: Have you lived in an SLP neighborhood that hosts intergenerational events to build community? I’d like to hear from you. Recent changes to the city’s neighborhood grant program have impacted what neighborhoods can and can't do with city funds, which has correlated with a drop in the number and frequency of neighborhoods hosting events. I’m a big believer in the power of organized neighborhoods to improve residents’ quality of life, and hope council can find a way to responsibly increase flexibility for neighborhoods in the future. I welcome your opinions on this topic here.

Prevailing wage ordinance: Across the country, including quite likely in SLP, construction workers are being taken advantage of by contractors who undercut local wages to win government contracts. This results in the displacement of highly skilled workers and the exploitation of lower-skilled workers. The city puts a lot of tax dollars into construction projects, and members of council don’t want those dollars to be used to disadvantage workers. Several communities, including Bloomington, Richfield, and Brooklyn Park, have enacted prevailing wage ordinances, which require workers on city-funded projects be paid a minimum, set wage based on local conditions. Council initiated a discussion on this topic last month and will consider a possible ordinance in 2026. Stay tuned. 

Courtyard Apartments sold: Courtyard, a 151-unit apartment complex in Ward 1, was recently sold for $18.35 million. According to media reports, the new owner plans to renovate the property and raise rents, likely displacing most individuals and families living there, as rents are currently affordable for households earning 60% of the area median income. SLP’s tenant protection ordinance was adopted in 2018. The ordinance requires new owners of affordable housing, who raise rents within three months, to pay tenants’ relocation benefits (ranging from $3,200 to $5,000 depending on unit size), which provides a measure of protection for renters who need time and resources to find a new place to live. Still, I’m saddened by the growing trend of investors buying up affordable apartment buildings, fixing the place up, and raising the rents, and hope future councils can identify additional opportunities to protect our neighbors from displacement.  

Here’s a select list of upcoming events in our community: 

Birchwood neighborhood bonfire, Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 pm, Birchwood Park. All are welcome!

Lenox Craft Fair, Saturday, Nov. 8, 10am-2pm, Lenox Community Center. More than 30 vendors selling unique, handmade items. Concessions and ATM onsite. Hosted by SLP Community Ed and the SLP Senior Program.

Deep Dive: Heat Pumps and Home Electrification, Thursday, Nov. 13, 6-8pm, Lenox Community Center. Hosted by Electrify Everything MN in partnership with the City of SLP. Info and register here. 

Metropolitan Airports Commission/Noise Oversight Committee Meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 1:30 pm, MAC General Office Building, 6040 28th Ave. S., Mpls, or virtually. Industry and community representatives gather semi-monthly to address aircraft noise issues associated with MSP Airport. The public is welcome to attend. Info and meeting link here. 

Small Business Saturday, November 29. Buy local!

Bronx Park Pavement Management Open House, Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30-7pm, SLP City Hall Council Chambers. Review design layouts, ask questions, and learn what to expect during construction. Council will vote on this project in January. 

SLP Storytelling, Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30-7:45 pm. St. Louis Park Library. Yours truly will share a few stories from her childhood and how they influenced her as a leader, and reflect on being a council member through the Covid epidemic and other interesting times. 

2025 CPKC Holiday Train, Sunday, Dec. 14, 6:15 pm. An SLP tradition. Info here. 

Thanks for reading, please vote, and stay in touch! 
Margaret