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Woodbury HRA/City Council Meeting 6-24-26
Published: Jun 24, 2026
Woodbury's Central Park Honored with MRPA Award of Excellence
The City of Woodbury received the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) 2025 Award of Excellence for its renovated Central Park. Jared Fluellen, an MRPA Awards Committee member and Woodbury resident, presented the award, highlighting the park's exemplary status. Reed Smith was recognized for submitting the nomination, and Director Michelle Okada and her team were commended for their exceptional work. The Central Park project also received the Tommy Johnson Award. The renovated park is described as a beautiful, expanded facility with ample space for recreation and activities. The award recognizes agencies for outstanding and unique projects from the past year, aiming to increase awareness and appreciation for parks, trails, facilities, and recreation programs. The park is noted to have an area for displaying local art.
HRA Adopts Affordable Housing Development Assistance Policy to Fund New Developments
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) adopted a new policy to establish a framework for providing financial assistance to new affordable housing developments. This policy creates formal procedures for requesting funds, determining eligible projects and expenditures, underwriting projects, defining loan terms, and monitoring compliance. Financial assistance will be funded through the city's Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) and could also be applied to HUD grant programs. The policy prioritizes units serving households at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI) and will provide assistance as a subordinate loan. Loans will be secured by a mortgage, promissory note, and land use or deed restriction, with a maximum affordability period and loan term of 30 years or co-terminous with senior public financing. Developers are responsible for application fees and closing costs. The policy aims to be a patient lender, prioritizing affordability over rapid repayment, and creating a revolving loan program where repaid funds strengthen the pool for future projects. The need for this policy arises from the city's current lack of a formal lending process for housing development, aiming to increase transparency for the public and developers. The removal of Woodbury's Difficult Development Area (DDA) designation is anticipated to increase the need for gap financing, highlighting the importance of this policy, especially given the DDA's past assistance with nearly a thousand affordable units. The HRA adopted HRA Resolution 26-04 to enact this policy. The LAHA funding originates from a state-passed quarter-cent sales tax in the metro area, distributed based on the number of cost-burdened households. These funds are restricted for housing development and must be used within a specific timeframe. The policy allows for loans to be used for land acquisition, site preparation, general construction costs, sustainability, resident amenities, parks, and soft costs directly related to affordable units, but not market-rate units. The policy also allows for community land trusts and mission-driven organizations as eligible applicants. Loans are typically one per project, and eligibility will depend on the developer's financial standing and other funding sources. The policy includes a "but for" test to ensure the financing is necessary for the project. There was discussion about whether the policy should be self-sustaining, with clarification that while repayment is desired, the primary goal is to facilitate affordable housing development and recycle funds for future projects. The LAHA funds are managed in a separate fund, and loans issued are accounted for within the HRA budget.
Resident Praises Woodbury's High Quality of Life and Governance Based on Community Survey
Bill Routt, a Woodbury resident, addressed the council during the open forum to express gratitude and highlight positive community feedback based on a recent scientific survey. The survey of nearly a thousand randomly selected households indicated that nine in ten residents rate their quality of life as excellent or good, over 80% approve of the mayor and city council's job performance, and eight in ten rate city staff performance as excellent or good. Three-quarters feel connected to the community, and nearly nine in ten feel safe. Routt emphasized that these results are not from marketing but from neighbors' feedback, holding leadership accountable. He urged the council to consider the cost of legislative actions on divisive issues and to trust the process and the positive outcomes achieved, suggesting that outrage should not overshadow successes. He also referenced safety measures like cameras and the community's sense of security, attributing it to effective public safety teams. He concluded by encouraging residents to express gratitude as loudly as objections and to protect what is working well.
Council Approves Bailey West Master Plan with Amendment on Century Avenue Extension
The City Council considered the Bailey West Master Plan. This plan is required by city policy for common ownership exceeding 100 acres before development. The plan addresses stormwater management, greenways and pedestrian planning, architectural design, modifications to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and preparation for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Key elements include a regional stormwater basin, a Greenway corridor and trail system connecting to Carver Lake Park, pedestrian infrastructure along Century Avenue, and architectural themes to unify diverse uses. The plan supports New Life Academy's acquisition of 30 acres for development and recommends rezoning the northern portion of the property to low-density residential, timed post-2050 Comprehensive Plan adoption. The plan also includes modifications to better connect commercial areas to Bailey Road. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the master plan with discussions on safety concerns regarding Century Avenue South, parking at New Life Academy, landscaping, and controlled intersections. The council adopted Resolution 26-76, approving the Bailey West Master Plan with an amendment to defer the final decision on the Century Avenue connection to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan process, acknowledging concerns about traffic, noise, pollution, runoff, and the impact on Carver Lake. The original plan included the Century Avenue extension, but the amendment adds a condition for further review in 2050. The resolution also noted that infrastructure development, not final project applications, would be reviewed first.
Speakers Advocate for ICE Support and Safety for Marginalized Communities, Debate City Council's Role on Federal Issues
During the open forum, two speakers, Andrea Rapella and Karen Bauman, advocated for supporting ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and passing a resolution that would make marginalized communities feel safer. Rapella argued that passing the resolution is about right versus wrong, not left versus right, and that the people inadvertently protected by inaction have caused harm. She emphasized the importance of Minnesota's safety net and urged the council to care for all constituents. Bauman stated that ICE is a necessary law enforcement agency established after 9/11 for protection. She redirected the focus to federal agencies and elected officials (like Betty McCollum and Amy Klobuchar) who can address immigration policy, arguing that city council meetings are not the appropriate venue for this issue. She criticized the lobbying of local officials on federal matters and urged the council to focus on city responsibilities like roads, parks, and services, citing the community survey that showed high resident satisfaction in these areas.
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City Council Regular Meeting Agenda Packet
Woodbury Planning Commission 6-15-26
Woodbury City Council Meeting 6-10-26
Woodbury City Council Meeting 5-27-26
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Woodlane Drive Pre-Construction Meeting 5-12-26
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