St Cloud: St Cloud Meeting
Summary. The St. Cloud City Council meeting of March 12, 2026, covered several key items including proclamations, employee recognition, and significant development matters. The council approved a proclamation recognizing March for Meals Month with the Osceola Council on Aging, and recognized Kelly as Employee of the Month for her outstanding work coordinating community events. Major business included approving annexations and zoning changes for several development projects including Bur Oak Boulevard commercial project and multiple residential developments. The council also approved a billboard relocation agreement with OutFront Media to replace static billboards with a digital billboard, providing the city with community messaging capabilities. Extensive discussion occurred regarding establishing a policy for council member sponsorships and community support, with preliminary agreement on allocating $10,000 per council member for nonprofit sponsorships and $5,000 for dinner event tables. The Council received updates from department heads, with the Fire Chief reporting successful hiring of 36 of 48 new positions and the Police Chief providing updates on federal appropriations for emergency equipment. The meeting concluded with plans to reconstitute the Agriculture Advisory Committee to address ongoing issues with livestock regulations and agricultural policies as the city continues annexation efforts. Council members made various announcements and requests, including Deputy Mayor Gilbert's request for a National Prayer Day proclamation and policy changes for disabled pool access.
Agenda Items
1. Proclamation - March for Meals Month
Recognition of Osceola Council on Aging's senior nutrition programs
- Council on Aging serves 233,000 residents
- Provides meals on wheels and community services
- March for Meals campaign raises awareness and funds
2. Employee of the Month Recognition
Kelly recognized for outstanding service and event coordination
- Led seventeenth street ball field ribbon cutting ceremony
- Organized city council vs Challenger baseball game
- Consistent high-level performance
3. Consent Agenda
Routine items with modifications to parking fee structure
- Deputy Mayor requested removal of Section 13 parking fees
- Concerns about enforcement costs vs revenue
- Agreement to revisit after parking structure completion
4. Bur Oak Boulevard Development - Annexation/Zoning
Three ordinances for 5.26-acre commercial development
- Annexation from county to city
- Commercial zoning maintained
- Certain uses struck from PUD including houses of worship
- Conditional approval added for automotive services
5. Billboard Relocation Agreement
Agreement with OutFront Media for digital billboard placement
- Removes 5 static billboard faces for 1 digital billboard
- City gets 8 guaranteed advertising spots annually
- Emergency messaging capabilities
- PUD compliance issues identified
6. Grant Funding Policy Discussion
Continued discussion on grant funding policies, with agreement to maintain existing budget line items
- Existing budget line items to continue as previously approved
- New policy framework being developed
- Comprehensive policy promised for next meeting
7. Brownfields Redevelopment Presentation Request
Request to invite Dr. Christian Wells to present on brownfields and redevelopment opportunities
- Dr. Wells directs Center for Brownfields Research and Redevelopment
- Would share grant opportunities and redevelopment projects
- Scheduled for May 21 workshop
- Discussion of existing brownfield potential in St. Cloud
8. Department Updates - Fire and Police
Updates from Fire Chief on hiring progress and Police Chief on federal appropriations
- Fire department hired 36 of 48 new positions
- Seven paramedics currently in fire school sponsored by city
- Federal appropriation request for emergency operations center equipment
- Movable security barriers funding approved through Congressman Soto
9. Veterans Council Appointment Change
Motion to remove non-attending member and appoint new member to Veterans Council
- Remove Garrett Bonady for non-attendance
- Appoint Heather Stockdale as replacement
- Veterans Council meeting scheduled for following day
10. Council Member Reports and Requests
Various reports and requests from council members
- National Prayer Day proclamation request
- Pool disability rates policy change
- Metro plan federal funding information
- Transportation Disadvantaged Board updates
11. Agriculture Advisory Committee Recreation
Proposal to recreate the Agriculture Advisory Committee
- Address ongoing agricultural issues with annexations
- Committee to meet quarterly, similar to Veterans Council format
- Start with previous core members and expand
- Address both compliance and agricultural promotion in community
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve consent agenda item 4 (fee resolution) with removal of proposed Section 13 parking fee language
Moved by Deputy Mayor Gilbert, seconded by Council Member Urban
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve remainder of consent agenda items 1-9 minus item 4
Moved by Council Member Urban, seconded by Council Member Paul
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve billboard relocation agreement with conditions for PUD compliance and typo correction
Moved by Mayor Robertson, seconded by Council Member Fletcher
Passed 5-0
Motion to remove Garrett Bonady from the Veterans Council and add Heather Stockdale
Moved by Council Member Urban, seconded by Deputy Mayor Gilbert
Passed 5-0
Action Items
Work through PUD compliance issues for billboard placement
Assigned to City staff and OutFront Media · Due Expedited timeline due to lease expirations
Draft policy for council member community sponsorships
Assigned to City Manager · Due Next council meeting
Schedule Dr. Christian Wells presentation on brownfields
Assigned to Council Member Paul and City Manager · Due May 21 workshop
Email Heather Stockdale about Veterans Council meeting tomorrow
Assigned to Staff/Mayor Robertson · Due Tonight
Update internal policy for disabled pool rates to include any disabled person (not just city residents)
Assigned to City Manager · Due Immediately
Research and bring back Agriculture Advisory Committee structure similar to previous committee
Assigned to City Attorney and City Manager · Due Next council meeting
Bring back chicken ordinance in April
Assigned to City Manager · Due April meeting
Add Soldier City Sundays schedule to future meeting agendas
Assigned to Staff · Due Ongoing
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The St. Cloud City Council meeting of March 12, 2026, covered several key items including proclamations, employee recognition, and significant development matters. The council approved a proclamation recognizing March for Meals Month with the Osceola Council on Aging, and recognized Kelly as Employee of the Month for her outstanding work coordinating community events. Major business included approving annexations and zoning changes for several development projects including Bur Oak Boulevard commercial project and multiple residential developments. The council also approved a billboard relocation agreement with OutFront Media to replace static billboards with a digital billboard, providing the city with community messaging capabilities. Extensive discussion occurred regarding establishing a policy for council member sponsorships and community support, with preliminary agreement on allocating $10,000 per council member for nonprofit sponsorships and $5,000 for dinner event tables. The Council received updates from department heads, with the Fire Chief reporting successful hiring of 36 of 48 new positions and the Police Chief providing updates on federal appropriations for emergency equipment. The meeting concluded with plans to reconstitute the Agriculture Advisory Committee to address ongoing issues with livestock regulations and agricultural policies as the city continues annexation efforts. Council members made various announcements and requests, including Deputy Mayor Gilbert's request for a National Prayer Day proclamation and policy changes for disabled pool access.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 11 agenda items: Proclamation - March for Meals Month; Employee of the Month Recognition; Consent Agenda; Bur Oak Boulevard Development - Annexation/Zoning; Billboard Relocation Agreement; Grant Funding Policy Discussion; Brownfields Redevelopment Presentation Request; Department Updates - Fire and Police; Veterans Council Appointment Change; Council Member Reports and Requests; Agriculture Advisory Committee Recreation.
How many motions were voted on?
4 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
8 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
10 members were recorded as present: Mayor Robertson, Deputy Mayor Gilbert, Council Member Paul, Council Member Urban, Council Member Fletcher, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Fire Chief Miller, Police Chief Doug Gerke.
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