St. Paul City Council Member Amy Brendmoen has been out of the country on city business -- a grant-funded trip to Copenhagen, Denmark -- and wasn't in City Hall for Wednesday's vote on an $800,000 settlement agreement with the owners of Black Bear Crossings, a parks eatery in her ward.
That didn't sit well with City Council Member Dan Bostrom, the sole council member to vote against the settlement. He's calling for the resignation of Parks and Rec Director Mike Hahm, whom he points out, is dating Brendmoen.
The council member has said her relationship with Hahm had noting to do with the city's decision to sever ties with the sedate coffee shop, which doesn't do anywhere near the amount of business as Sea Salt or Tin Fish in the Minneapolis parks system.
Brendmoen on Friday posted the following message on her Facebook page:
"Dear Constituents, The terms of this settlement include an agreement limiting what can be said to the media about the basis for the settlement decision. Unfortunately, voting to settle with Black Bear Crossing was determined by the city attorney’s office to be in the best interest of the City of St. Paul, which is why the majority my colleagues took that very difficult vote—a vote I would have taken as well, if I were not traveling on city business.
While I cannot discuss the details of the settlement, I can talk about the future. A Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new operator for The Como Lakeside Pavilion will be released by the city in early September. The community-driven RFP is designed to reflect the input of a recent online survey (in which 1200+ people participated) and further inspired by two independently-facilitated public meetings, as well as a survey of people out enjoying Como Lake. An evaluation committee, made up of a wide range of community representatives, will recommend a future partner from the pool of respondents.
The potential for the Como Lakeside Pavilion to serve our neighborhoods and the city as a whole is enormous. Looking forward, I am confident that the facility will be an asset while serving its highest and best public use. I continue to welcome your ideas and input. I hold regular office hours at the Rice Street Library, and I am always happy to do a "Lake Lap," or walk in your neighborhood. It's my honor and privilege to serve the people in Ward 5.
Sincerely, Amy"
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