St. Anthony, Minnesota Development News
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City Council
Published: Jul 14, 2026
Retail Operations Mid-Year Report Shows Mid-Year Sales Dip Due to Remodel, But Recovery Plan and New Dispensary Offer Optimism
Dave Englum, retail operations manager, presented the mid-year report for 2026. The report indicated a mid-year decrease in sales and gross profits across most categories, largely attributed to the closure of the Marketplace location for remodeling (over three weeks) and ongoing soft sales trends influenced by shifting consumer dynamics. Despite these challenges, the city is on target with its fund transfer obligation. A recovery plan is underway, focusing on improving selection, reducing slow-moving SKUs, enhancing basket size through cross-merchandising, and developing a new store environment at Marketplace. Key initiatives include enhancing customer service, educating staff, and leveraging new retail engagement strategies like 'Meet the Vintner/Distiller/Brewer' events. Consumer trends show a move towards value consciousness, with consumers trading down but also 'upping their game' by purchasing premium products in smaller packages. Ready-to-drink (RTD) and THC products are strong market drivers. The report also provided updates on strategic projects: the Marketplace store is 95% complete with a grand opening event scheduled, the Silver Lake Village remodel is in the planning phase, and the cannabis dispensary is 65% complete, awaiting lighting, decor, and security system installation before submitting for licensing. The security proposal from a specialized firm was presented. Englum expressed confidence that renovations, the cannabis dispensary opening, and strategic initiatives will lead to a positive year-end financial performance. Councilmember Jensen inquired about the timeline for cannabis licensing, and Englum estimated a submission in about 10 days, with a potential opening in two to three months, pending regulatory approval and inventory procurement. Councilmember Jensen also expressed appreciation for the reporting metrics and leadership.
Guest House Operation Continues to Foster Community Connections, Serving Primarily Local Residents
Paul White provided an update on the operation of the guest house at 3117 32nd Avenue. He reported that 74% of the business over the past year was connected to St. Anthony Village residents, with guests visiting family, attending events, or staying near family during difficult times. Examples included a six-week stay for an elderly family member receiving medical treatment, two brothers from overseas staying for a month near their host family, and out-of-town grandparents staying close to their grandchild. White noted there have been no neighbor complaints, police calls, or operational issues, emphasizing the quiet and respectful nature of the guests and operation. He expressed gratitude for the council's trust and stated the guest house serves as a meaningful amenity that helps make the community stronger and more connected.
RFP Released for 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update, Incorporating Community Visioning Exercise
City Manager Yunker reported that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update was released on Friday. The RFP includes a request for consultants to propose ideas for a visioning exercise to complement the plan, addressing community desires that may extend beyond traditional comprehensive planning criteria. The goal is to produce both the Comprehensive Plan required by Met Council and a separate deliverable capturing broader community ideas for future goal-setting. Councilmember O'Negdi attended the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference and a joint session on the comp plan. Councilmember Jensen also attended the league conference, a comp plan kickoff meeting, and toured a sustainable stormwater management system. Councilmember Julian attended the league conference, a comp plan work session, and an MWMO board meeting where an investment in the St. Anthony Regional Treatment Center was approved. Councilmember Randall attended the league conference and a Regional Council Mayors Meeting focused on city and school district challenges.
City Approves $525,000 Interfund Loan from Liquor to Cannabis Fund for Startup Operations
Director of Finance, Debbie Maloney, presented Resolution 26-050, approving an interfund loan of $525,000 from the liquor fund to the cannabis fund. The loan is intended to cover startup expenses for the cannabis fund, including renovation costs for the dispensary portion, initial inventory, wages, and other operational expenses, before revenues are generated. The cannabis fund currently has a zero or negative balance, while the liquor fund has a remaining cash balance of approximately $812,500 after its renovations. The loan is recommended to be amortized over 10 years at 4.5% annual interest, with initial repayments made in lieu of rent to the liquor fund to allow the cannabis fund to prioritize repayment and establish operations. Maloney provided projections for the cannabis fund, estimating gross profit of $406,000 for 2026 and $415,000 for 2027-2028, based on data from Anoca and conservative estimates. Councilmember Jensen questioned the need for the loan given the liquor fund's balance, and Maloney clarified that it's a matter of maintaining separate enterprise fund accounting, not borrowing from an external source. Councilmember Jellin inquired about the prioritization of repayment, reinvestment, and tax levy relief, and Maloney explained the goal is for the fund to be self-sufficient, with repayment flexibility given the conservative 10-year amortization and the fund's strength. Council expressed confidence in the plan, noting that the funds are enterprise dollars, not tax levy dollars, reducing overall risk. The resolution was approved 5-0.
City Receives Clean Audit Opinion for 2025 Financials, With Minor Internal Control and Compliance Findings Identified
The city council reviewed and approved the 2025 finance audit report. The audit, conducted by Redpath and Company, resulted in an unmodified or "clean" opinion on the financial statements, indicating they are fairly presented. However, the audit did identify one internal control finding titled 'Financial Statement Corrections,' stemming from three instances where the auditor detected errors (interfund loan balances, salaries payable and prepaid expenses, and a new assessment recording) that staff controls should have caught. Additionally, a legal compliance finding was noted, where two vendors and five invoices were paid beyond the statutory 35-day limit due to internal delays in processing. The report also highlighted that the general fund balance at the end of 2025 was $5,462,000, representing 56% of the ensuing year's expenditures, which is above the city's policy range of 35-50%. Enterprise funds, including water, sewer, and liquor operations, were also reviewed, with the liquor fund showing an operating income decrease from the previous year but an overall increase in cash balance. The council unanimously approved the audit.
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