[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6268414,"mediaKeyId","3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258","parentId",3055631,"title","Woodbury honors Uber driver who stopped a scam and accepts donated canine vests for K-9 unit","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",1357000,"endMs",1955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258&start=1357&end=1955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258/thumbnail_1357000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268414/Minnesota/Woodbury-honors-Uber-driver-who-stopped-a-scam-and-accepts-donated-canine-vests-for-K-9-unit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268414-141ee3a9c4e062cdf0ababfe02c0a4e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940612&Signature=Q3BaHp92YFicV6Wlx3o1Ok1QEovUU4TDD5Pef52czFIYGi4rZ1996YSxGztb4SluGujsKikuKL5RQILCBOOrz0aaLPKp~36R1j1O0E4b9P1s~p1c~V616pOQ6U8TDXgK5LI1mYsDNRufU75fUdfDX1~frnJhtv6~oN3SG2n9gsekUja6fQJmIO9T3qS2-z6D~2WchYzc0T2MO833zAZ0LutZitxtgg8QVzBXjqo7awdVEf3rwtWB~NLRBJD-lz9hKv5MkQB8oM1OCDmLlopP7SA5S3hW~6wcxWwnr3-ZDGCa4KnzGLcUPXCehZwtAyayb2FOLdM5e6Su~xf5AJ3SCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Woodbury, MN","date","2025-04-19T00:35:08.053Z","article","The City Council presented the Woodbury Public Safety Community Member Merit Award on April 16 to George Frambo, an Uber driver who intervened on Dec. 23, 2024 to prevent an 84-year-old resident from being scammed out of $20,000, and city officials accepted two protective canine vests donated by the Woodbury Police Canine Fund.

Public-safety recognition: Jason Pozel, Woodbury Director of Public Safety, described Frambo’s actions: he picked up an 84-year-old woman who was being instructed by a caller to withdraw cash; Frambo returned the woman to her senior living complex, contacted police and ensured officers could intervene so the woman did not lose money. Pozel said Frambo’s “quick thinking and attention to detail” prevented the loss and the department honored him with the Community Member Merit Award.

Frambo spoke briefly at the meeting and urged better front-line training at senior living facilities; he described difficulty getting immediate help from staff when he first sought assistance and recommended enhanced staff education on scam recognition.

K-9 vests donation: The council also accepted two custom canine protective vests purchased by the Woodbury Police Canine Fund. Director Pozel described the vests as custom-made by a Canadian company, Canine Storm, costing just over $3,500 each and weighing about 1.5 pounds to allow dogs to wear them without fatigue; the vests include Kevlar ballistic protection and cover chest and belly areas. Officers at the meeting noted the newer vests are substantially lighter than older models that weighed about 8–10 pounds.

Handlers and canines present: Officer Robert Bowling introduced his German shepherd Echo, who wore a new vest at the meeting; Officer Emily introduced K-9 Kane. Bob Bixby, president of the Woodbury Police Canine Fund, and other volunteers explained fundraising events that support equipment and dog purchases; staff said a third canine is expected in June with canine school in August.

Taper: Mayor and council members thanked Frambo, the canine fund volunteers and department handlers; organizers encouraged community support for upcoming canine-fund events and public education about scams directed at older residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Woodbury HRA/City Council Meeting 4-16-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Woodbury recognized George Frambo with a Public Safety Community Member Merit Award for preventing an $20,000 scam on Dec. 23, 2024, and city officials accepted two ballistic canine vests donated by the Woodbury Police Canine Fund; vests cost about $3,500 each and weigh roughly 1.5 pounds.","taxTitle","Woodbury City, Washington County, Minnesota","taxId",5011,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268419,"Woodbury council approves WaterWise implementation agreement with watershed district for smart-irrigation and toilet rebate programs",106,2484000,2590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258&start=2484&end=2590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258/thumbnail_2484000.jpg","/articles/6268419/Minnesota/Woodbury-council-approves-WaterWise-implementation-agreement-with-watershed-district-for-smart-irrigation-and-toilet-rebate-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268419-5595d0cffff0925a60c1002620b386ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940612&Signature=O5BBRH2HFP~vhq5exYNS7F4rOqJjtyOMI3RE2rxmPzw470strRLPAAsNpkeNQcCIGL87QgvsgDY7IoLutcY23H3oT8EF4sx8gxs0-ykssAXJ7Na6OawvLLdU6xu1q7DiZvT9d-U4NQojTQoP6X6g2Bp3TQ8pl87ddboPiD01x84FUnY8mAoDCqB2dHRZ5YloQRTRdL6GrbHFn1ptMlsQ0u5DXbvvMm-pNvUMnM-VEkoMkAIodo2fPt8AYHcqj0cKEaQPqyjPV5v~EYJImkVxGXtnj7s~onU6U7RcxdbtqvX55tWXnx78gpMy34r-BzHHKWZ3XLNZNN4Tyum9tioiqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on April 16 approved a cooperative agreement with the South Washington County Watershed District to fund the WaterWise Implementation Program, a city-managed effort to reduce residential water use.

Under the agreement the Watershed District will provide $25,000 and the city will provide a required match of $25,000 (50% match), staff said. The city will use the combined funds to sell WaterSense-certified smart irrigation controllers at discounted rates, reimburse up to $100 for qualifying toilet replacements, and monitor water-use changes resulting from installed WaterSense devices.

Program goals stated at the meeting include distributing 6,500 WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers and 5,500 WaterSense-labeled toilet replacements over the life of the program. Staff said the program aligns with the city’s environmental stewardship plan and estimated long-term water savings; the packet reported cumulative past distributions but the council discussion focused on the program goals and match structure.

Taper: Staff said the program will be managed by city staff and that residents can sign up for updates on project impacts and construction notices via the city website.","The council approved a cooperative agreement with the South Washington County Watershed District to provide $25,000 toward the WaterWise Implementation Program, with a required 50% city match; the program will subsidize smart irrigation controllers and toilet-replacement rebates and track water-use impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268423,"Woodbury council highlights rooftop solar contract and battery grant for Fleet Services Building",245,2404000,2649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258&start=2404&end=2649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258/thumbnail_2404000.jpg","/articles/6268423/Minnesota/Woodbury-council-highlights-rooftop-solar-contract-and-battery-grant-for-Fleet-Services-Building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268423-e20727209152b8479abf8bd0d85a5607/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940612&Signature=ISicu6k7SjpC-Guqc5us7dZn0aVMhbqagUntpjKVnSsAdIUxhk0zF75uzFSWPeq0HbIRZ4~cLneRwl4sUJCJsJMLT7S9lhIbAaGWczwYV0sKjN~cFw9Yy~Fi9VckpYztPixk6wyah4hgjEUUQozYJujZ~DyuxZ0uxbugMeeNNkGsEIEAbKiWlO3oyt5jKuEDFeXMuRTaiEhrhGTxV-mJiIi43bXc9CAMDJedqRd4mzlp0C1ZXYXW-azMl8alglquvsz-IitUN3OPIs7F6z1NSwbQPhll4x~qEs2weaD~Hyte3ku9UQ47S1e3BwUgdSMKkG1K~OvJORsGaU8Hpjf2VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members highlighted a consent-agenda award on April 16 to install a roof-mounted solar array on Woodbury’s Fleet Services Building, and staff said the city also was selected to receive an MPCA community resilience grant for a battery energy storage system to pair with the array.

Staff reported the Fleet Services Building was built in 2018 with future rooftop solar in mind; the array design can offset about 105% of the building’s annual electrical use. The construction contract for a roof-mounted array was reported as a $505,000 project that came in approximately 23% under the city’s earlier estimate. Staff said multiple external funding sources — including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit, and a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency local climate action grant — will help pay for the installation.

City staff told council the MPCA implementation grant for a battery energy storage system will be considered for acceptance in early May; staff later said both the photovoltaic array and the battery energy storage system are expected to be completed this year.

Finance and climate context: staff said the package of grants and federal tax credits positions the project for a projected payback period of about 8–9 years and advances the city’s environmental stewardship goals on municipal building electricity sourcing.

Taper: Council members said they plan to arrange opportunities to highlight the installation after completion, including a possible photo opportunity on the roof.","The City Council approved a construction contract for a roof-mounted solar array at the Fleet Services Building and noted the city was selected for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant to add a battery energy storage system; staff said the projects are expected to be completed this year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268428,"Woodbury council approves amended SRO agreement with School District 833 after debate over historical language",359,3175000,3534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258&start=3175&end=3534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258/thumbnail_3175000.jpg","/articles/6268428/Minnesota/Woodbury-council-approves-amended-SRO-agreement-with-School-District-833-after-debate-over-historical-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268428-38c94bf371fc9535fd1797a024e0843a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940612&Signature=ZPAnPeTjClYxBmJ4Z3pMi-jhHqzuR9BadRJ8964mFADpfiP99F6ku0n3vbjpoYDVpKMfx7QHJyN4XdEXD1Gg7PZxQH9RiwJ5Igxr8r~GHah91fu-kGntGlygNszjoR4WLqJne2zPagzacGOoacj5idwMWHMIoL8uoPgck8GYGry7xCY2-SAiyjb1H2~YTYoYWWyyrGP3vTk5iaYhaXGjcUJO8jFb4jblJstqGXb-WS5UIsYgqsyIrLY92pugkIvf~M5XyqBzeUIWH7WKXhKmD8RuQysijgpWldGhHBB0dfbNVSlwCl92HxgbH61TgLpNjBtr3Q1Hu3ja0x59pTFipw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodbury City Council adopted an amended agreement on April 16 with South Washington County School District 833 to provide school resource officer (SRO) services, resolving a months-long negotiation over language in the contract's preamble.

Council discussion centered on a WHEREAS clause that described earlier council actions and city correspondence with the district. Council Member Wilson said he had wanted to see a copy of the 2023 letter and objected to removing historical language; other council members and the city attorney said the school district had requested changes and that removing the disputed WHEREAS clause would not change the functional obligations in the SRO contract.

City Attorney and staff explained the clause was removed by mutual agreement to avoid delaying the operative agreement. Councilor debate at the meeting showed the clause had been the subject of drafting exchanges between the city and the district; staff said an email conveying the council’s prior direction had been sent to the district and acknowledged.

The vote on the amended agreement, Resolution 25-91, was recorded as: Council Member Wilson — No; Council Member Santini — Aye; Council Member Stafford — Aye; Mayor Burt — Aye. The resolution passed.

What the agreement does: staff described it as a clarified and updated contract that sets out SRO duties, funding and expectations; the text approved at the meeting does not include the contested historical WHEREAS clause. City staff and school-district representatives had negotiated operational language and both parties agreed to remove the disputed preamble language so the contract could move forward.

Taper: City staff and councilors said the item resolves a long-running issue and allows SRO services to continue under an updated legal framework.","The Woodbury City Council on April 16 approved an amended School Resource Officer agreement with South Washington County School District 833 after removing a contested WHEREAS clause; Council Member Wilson voted no, citing missing historical correspondence he wanted to review.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268433,"Woodbury HRA approves conduit revenue bonds for two affordable housing projects",676,414000,1090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258&start=414&end=1090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055631-a9519a81036e4d1dc01984d4bd553258/thumbnail_414000.jpg","/articles/6268433/Minnesota/Woodbury-HRA-approves-conduit-revenue-bonds-for-two-affordable-housing-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268433-3ba60eb3cc49d16ffe17759fa839cbcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940612&Signature=C9Tjytcj1ytinFonRG2l9v3kRj1tfNrLXVeviokihD2n4jD9XcaiT5Is7GpYnu7OiwQePy5r1e48GtnNg0s5PnNEGq4tghK2~rywxH9vFi4Gte8dBR0u1k86rwgvMEGquiDOIPvDrUBCVQZEd-CnhXX56AH4cI~9Rbt1MYCDMOeBhrhNcI4goQSsAQarRSICGYWCKum08nHPjZIqqcVsLnppF9Zoebc3IXe1YAvWsEN~nKBmah-JFZOsYFN9wJFbJ2LIM3zrEGrA7THSS5mzOXgMT2UdYqp45q60Y~DHgvtmbGojhg7Pnnzl942WVgG0-9AUvdSRYDAHKh73z-T4wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodbury Housing and Redevelopment Authority on April 16 adopted two resolutions authorizing conduit multifamily housing revenue obligations to finance two affordable rental developments, the HRA’s staff said.

Jamie Fritz, senior HRA staff, told commissioners the board was being asked to approve issuance of $22,250,000 in tax-exempt conduit revenue bonds for Reserve at Settlers Ridge phase 2 and a separate financing package totaling $55,000,000 (part tax-exempt, part taxable) for Meadows at Prairie Ridge. Fritz said because the bonds are conduit obligations “the city and the HRA are not liable for the repayment of the proceeds of the bonds.”

Why it matters: both approvals clear a key financing step that developers need to combine tax-exempt bonding with low-income housing tax credits and other equity. HRA staff and outside counsel explained the projects competed for limited state volume cap and for federal tax-credit incentives tied in part to a HUD “difficult development area” designation for zip code 55125.

Reserve at Settlers Ridge: Fritz described Reserve at Settlers Ridge as an affordable multifamily workforce development; phase 1 is already under way, and the HRA approved HRA Resolution 25-03 to authorize bonds for phase 2. Developer Blaine Barker of Real Estate Equities told the board phase 1 broke ground in January and will start leasing as construction completes; he said phase 2 is expected to break ground in late May or early June and open in late summer 2026. HRA staff said each phase at that site contains 26 units.

Meadows at Prairie Ridge: For Meadows at Prairie Ridge staff recommended adoption of HRA Resolution 25-04. Mike Hudson, an owner of Broadway Street Development and representative for LSBD Woodbury Manning LLC, said the Meadows project is a single-phase, 237-unit affordable multifamily building; he estimated construction would take about 22 months and leasing would begin about three months before opening. Hudson said the project will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with the bulk being two- and three-bedroom units.

State volume cap and tax credits: HRA staff and counsel described why the public hearings were required and the financing sequence: tax-exempt bond authority is allocated to states through a “volume cap” that competitive affordable projects must secure; projects designated by HUD as difficult development areas receive additional tax-credit equity, which can be decisive for feasibility. Fritz said the competition for volume cap has delayed some projects in prior cycles, and that winning allocations had allowed these two projects to proceed.

Votes at a glance

- HRA Resolution 25-03 (Reserve at Settlers Ridge phase 2): Motion adopted by roll call — Commissioner Wilson: Aye; Commissioner Santini: Aye; Commissioner Stafford: Aye; Chair Burt: Aye. Outcome: approved. Notes: $22,250,000 conduit, tax-exempt; HRA/city not liable for repayment.

- HRA Resolution 25-04 (Meadows at Prairie Ridge): Motion adopted by roll call — Commissioner Stafford: Aye; Commissioner Santini: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye; Chair Burt: Aye. Outcome: approved. Notes: $55,000,000 conduit (portion tax-exempt), developer responsible for repayment; project 237 units.

What was not decided: The HRA action authorizes the bond financing steps and related documents; it does not make the city indebted (conduit bonds) and does not substitute for other approvals developers must obtain (construction permits, tax-credit award confirmations, loan closings). HRA staff and bond counsel remained available to answer technical questions during the public hearings.

Taper: Developers at the meeting gave project timing and unit-mix details; staff said winning the state allocation and the HUD designation were important to securing tax-credit equity that makes the projects feasible.","The Woodbury Housing and Redevelopment Authority on April 16 approved two conduit revenue bond issuances — $22,250,000 for Reserve at Settlers Ridge phase 2 and $55,000,000 for Meadows at Prairie Ridge — that enable tax-credit financing; the HRA and city are not liable for repayment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Woodbury honors Uber driver who stopped a scam and accepts donated canine vests for K-9 unit

Woodbury council approves WaterWise implementation agreement with watershed district for smart-irrigation and toilet rebate programs

Woodbury council highlights rooftop solar contract and battery grant for Fleet Services Building

Woodbury council approves amended SRO agreement with School District 833 after debate over historical language

Woodbury HRA approves conduit revenue bonds for two affordable housing projects