St. Anthony council approves consent agenda; resident urges clearer public rules for gambling permit, cannabis fund and water-efficiency grant

The St. Anthony City Council approved its June 9, 2026 consent agenda by a 3-0 vote, adopting several administrative measures including an off-site lawful gambling permit, creation of a municipal cannabis enterprise fund, and acceptance of a Metropolitan Council water-efficiency grant.

Mayor Webster and Councilmembers Jan Jenson and Thomas Randle voted to approve the agenda and the consent items at the meeting, which opened at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello was present and reported on upcoming local events and staffing.

The consent agenda included three resolutions: Resolution 26-042, approving an off-site lawful gambling permit and lease agreement for the Northeast Minneapolis Lions Community Foundation at VillageFest; Resolution 26-043, establishing the Municipal Cannabis Enterprise Fund and authorizing the opening of an affiliated bank account; and Resolution 26-044, authorizing City staff to enter an agreement with the Metropolitan Council to accept a water-efficiency grant. The consent motions were moved and seconded and carried 3-0.

During the community forum, Dr. Bibi Neumann, a resident, used her time to summarize concerns about how the items on the consent agenda will operate after approval. She said, "this will require the City to accept a 34,000 dollar Met Council grant with a 6,000 dollar match in local funds" and that the grant would "create a 50,500 dollar Water Efficiency Program, which will operate through June of 2028." Dr. Neumann read program specifics from the materials, saying the planned municipal fixture replacements include "43 toilets, 13 urinals, one dishwasher, four showerheads, and 69 faucets and related fixtures within municipal facilities."

Dr. Neumann also raised questions about program access and transparency: how eligibility for rebates and low-income assistance will be determined, whether residents must pay up front and seek reimbursement, how outcomes will be measured, and what rights residents have to preserved public records documenting these policy decisions. She argued that understanding not just what is approved but how programs operate is essential for residents to assess if public funds keep housing affordable and benefit existing homeowners.

Assistant City Manager Morello reported two operational items to the council: a repeat free composter distribution slated for drop-off on Thursday, June 11 in Central Park, and the recent hire of a Sustainability Intern, Fowzia Warsame, who transferred from the Sustainability Corps program and has already engaged with the Parks and Environmental Commission.

The council took no separate public votes on the three resolutions; they were adopted as part of the consent agenda. The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn that passed 3-0. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026.

What happens next: Because the resolutions were approved on consent, any operational details—such as the Municipal Cannabis Enterprise Fund's banking arrangements, the administration of water-efficiency rebates and low-income assistance, or the location and terms of the lawful gambling event—will be carried out by staff and subject to any follow-up reports or future agenda items. Dr. Neumann asked that such information be made clear in the public record so residents can track implementation and outcomes.