New Brighton
Council rebukes Bauman, strips her of positions
The New Brighton City Council last week voted to censure one of its members and remove her from appointed positions representing the city.
Council Member Gina Bauman was accused of obtaining legal advice from the city attorney, on her own, on behalf of a cause she is pursuing: challenging the way the council opted to realign council terms as it abandoned off-year elections.
Mayor Valerie Johnson, who faced off against Bauman for mayor last fall, said the city also will swap out city attorneys as a result.
Bauman chairs the North Suburban Communications Commission, a cable TV partnership among cities. The motion to pull her from such roles stemmed from her interactions with members of that group over the elections issue.
A censure "has to have consequences," Johnson said. "The trust factor is broken. We earn our ability to represent our city."
In ditching off-year elections last fall, the council extended the mayor's term and shortened those of council members. The move angered Bauman, who described it as "negating the vote." All elected officials will have three-year terms until the election year switch is complete.
David Peterson
St. Paul
Time winding down for old Dorothy Day Center
About 500 people are expected Friday, May 6, for the last community breakfast at the current Dorothy Day Center, soon to be replaced with a larger and more comprehensive campus under construction.
Crews broke ground in October for the new complex, which is designed to not only feed and house the homeless but help them transition to stability. Officials announced at the time that they were more than halfway to a private fundraising goal of $40 million for the two-phase, $100 million project.
In 2015, Dorothy Day served nearly 6,000 people and provided more than 300,000 meals, 75,000 shelter stays and access to job training, veterans' services, showers, laundry, health care and housing assistance.
JAMES WALSH
BLOOMINGTON
City may approve first medical marijuana facility
The Bloomington City Council on Monday will decide whether to approve the city's first medical marijuana dispensary.
Minnesota Medical Solutions, also known as Vireo Health, is requesting a permit to establish a distribution facility at Normandale Center, a shopping center at 5200 W. 84th St. The company is one of two licensed medical cannabis manufacturers in the state.
Under state law, patients who are enrolled in a state registry may get prescribed marijuana from a licensed pharmacist.
In April, the city Planning Commission voted 7-0 in favor of granting the permit. The city's planning staff also has recommended approval.
JOHN REINAN
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Bushaway Road to close soon for road work
Hennepin County Road 101, a major connecting route between Wayzata and Minnetonka that's also called Bushaway Road, may close as soon as this week for three months as part of an ongoing road project.
The road will be closed between Eastman Lane/McGinty Road and Minnetonka Boulevard. The exact date of the closure will be determined this week, officials said, and local access will be maintained as long as possible.
Once the road is closed, the main detour route for local residents traveling between Wayzata and Minnetonka will be Eastman Lane/McGinty Road. Signs have been posted to guide motorists.
The county is in the middle of a two-year project to reconstruct County Road 101 in Minnetonka, Woodland and Wayzata. The work includes replacing pavement and utilities, and adding retaining walls and a multiuse trail.
The road is being closed to allow for work on the Breezy Point curve and preparation work for a new bridge over rail tracks.
For more information, go to www.hennepin.us/countyroad101/.
Kevin Duchschere
