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5 days ago
- Business
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St. Cloud City Council vote paves way for housing first project
A recent St. Cloud City Council vote to amend a planned unit development paves the way for a new housing first project brought forth by Center City Housing. On June 2, councilmembers approved moving forward with the project in a 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Mike Conway, Scott Brodeen and Mike Johnson opposing. The city's resolution outlines specific requirements, such as on-site supervision and prohibits use as a temporary housing facility. Stearns County board election: Six candidates file in Stearns County Board of Commissioners special election The project, Elm Ridge Apartments, could create a 40-unit apartment building at the old YMCA site, 1530 Northway Dr., near St. Cloud Technical and Community College. It's a long-term living facility rather than a homeless shelter, and it aims to help residents establish the skills and rental history to become more independent. "Living on the streets is not a very good treatment plan," Center City Housing Executive Director Nancy Cashman previously said. "Traditionally, nobody makes good progress while living on the streets." At a May 13 St. Cloud Planning Commission meeting, Cashman said the organization obtained a subsidy to cover roughly $700 for rent and supplemental services. A National Low Income Housing Coalition report states housing first programs, like the Elm Ridge Apartments project, reduced homelessness by 88% and improved housing stability by 41%. It wasn't an easy vote for many city council members, as several neighbors showed up to the city council meeting in opposition, citing safety concerns. Center City Housing doesn't require sobriety to gain access to its housing program, citing its housing first approach. This concerned some neighbors and businesses. "This facility would allow individuals to live there without requiring sobriety — a deeply alarming prospect for those of us who live, work and raise children in this community," St. Cloud Foot and Ankle Center Clinic Administrator Reggie Gwost wrote in an emailed public comment. "Our neighborhood is home to two day cares, a charter school, an academy for autistic children, a nearby college campus, and several medical facilities. These are places meant to foster growth, healing and safety — not to be placed next to a high-risk population without support or oversight." During the June 2 city council public hearing, St. Cloud Technical and Community College President Lori Kloos also opposed the project. She expressed worries about how the project's residents might wander onto the college's campus and contribute to a perception of reduced safety, which she said could impact enrollment. "I think of our sister institution across town at St. Cloud State University. I love our partnership. I value them, and I know that there's this perception of safety, whether it's real or perceived, and I hear people say, 'Well, I'm not going to go there because it's not safe,'" Kloos said. "I do not want that for either them or for us. I want to make sure that we are safe, we are secure." Economic development: New shops, clinics, festivals part of St. Cloud East End's revitalization efforts These woes resonated with the opposing trio, who questioned the proposed location. Johnson pointed to a portion of public hearing participants opposing the development. "I fully, fully agree that we need people to survive and to thrive in these areas, and my heart goes out to them too, prayers go out to them, but I can't get behind this location," Brodeen said. Cashman told city council members the organization doesn't have a lead on any other locations. "We've looked at a couple of sites, and we've been denied a couple or not accepted, and then (with) this site the doors have been opening," Cashman said. Those voting in favor of the project referenced its need and Center City Housing's previous success. "I have a lot of respect for your organization and how you conduct your businesses and how they're run," Councilmember Dave Masters said. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at The St. Cloud Times, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@ This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: 40-unit housing first development could come to St. Cloud
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
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St. Cloud City Council member fined for violating Minnesota statute during 2024 campaign
A St. Cloud City Council member violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act, which carries a $600 fine. The June 4 Office of Administrative Hearings ruling came after Councilmember Scott Brodeen parked his pickup truck, which according to the OAH ruling, had 'multiple campaign signs supporting his candidacyattached to it, displaying his name and campaign slogan," which was parked within 100 feet of a polling place. The vehicle was parked at Lake George during early voting hours. Minnesota statues prohibit campaign materials from being within 100 feet of a polling place. According to both Brodeen and an OAH finding of fact report, the violation took place around noon on Nov. 2. Brodeen told the St. Cloud Times he was door-knocking that day and didn't think early voting was taking place. Meet Scott Brodeen: St. Cloud City Council hopeful Scott Brodeen looks to help economy "I gave it no thought, because in the six weeks of early voting, there wasn't voting on Saturdays," Brodeen wrote in an email to the St. Cloud Times. "Well, as I have learned, there was early voting on this day. So, by parking my vehicle at a voting location, since my truck had my 'BRODEEN' stickers on it, I unknowingly violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act, which prohibits campaigning within 100 feet of a voting location." According to the City of St. Cloud's website, early voting takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the last Saturday before the election. Brodeen said he was door-knocking at the time and admitted the mistake, accepting the $600 penalty. "I screwed up, plain and simple," Brodeen said. "I should have slowed down a little bit and then could have known there was voting that day and clearly wouldn't have parked there, and we wouldn't be having this conversation." The OAH website states a $600 fine is the lowest penalty for a clear violation of the statute. Violations that are promptly corrected are subject to a lower penalty, according to the office's website. However, Brodeen said he missed a call from the city informing him of the violation, and he wasn't able to move his truck in time. "Unfortunately, I didn't hear the call that came around 1:30 p.m. from (Seth) Kaufman, the city clerk, telling me my truck couldn't be there and to move it right away until much later that evening," Brodeen said. Brodeen won his city council bid a few days after the violation, on Nov. 5 and was sworn into office January 2025. This is his first term, and he is one of three new at-large city council members out of an initial field of 16 candidates. The councilmember ran his campaign on economic development, responsible spending and public safety. Local politics: St. Cloud City Council vote paves way for housing first project In an email to the St. Cloud Times, Brodeen said he's happy to put the violation behind him and use the experience as a lesson learned. "The Lord calls us to be humble, and humility can be either a choice or a lesson," he wrote. "I greatly prefer when it is my choice, but in this situation, it was a lesson." Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@ This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud City Council member fined for Minnesota election violation
