While the main City Council meeting for the week of September 8 featured some interesting events, including the swearing in of 6 new SLP PD officers, the recognition of both police department Civilian Employee of the Year and Robert Linnell Police Officer of the Year for 2025, and the first reading of the proposed utility rates for 2027, we were most interested in the Study Session that followed.

This study session featured a presentation by the City Finance Director on the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget for 2027. The St. Louis Park 2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) sets the city’s long-term spending priorities for municipal infrastructure, facilities, and other physical assets.

Data privacy and community policing

• $50,000 for a potential “ALPR replacement”
• $24,000 has been recommended to continue Axon body camera roll-out

While it is positive to see indications that the SLP city government is hearing the noise that we’ve been making about Flock, these stationary ALPR cameras are often powered by other companies (such as Axon) that track residents without reasonable suspicious. They are also not aligned with our city’s values.

Additionally, ALPRs contribute to the ongoing dehumanization of law enforcement in a city which claims to be dedicated to community oriented policing.

It would be unfortunate to see one bad system replaced with another – which is why we want the city to adopt policies that would require resident input & collaboration whenever AI-powered or data-centered solutions intersect with resident lives.

Finally, the proposal included a $72,000 allocation for “Copilot Generative AI Licenses”. We would prefer to see these funds directed to more important city services that provide tangible benefits to all residents.

View the Full CIP Budget Presentation

Climate Resiliency & Housing Equity

• The climate investment fund budget is increased to just over $200k, due to funds from the federal government drying up
• This comes at largely the expense of the affordable housing trust fund, which saw a reduction in its budget

After concerns were raised by Ward 4 Council Member Tim Brausen about not allocating enough money towards climate initiatives while taking funds away from affordable housing, the Council agreed to raise the proposed max levy to 6.9% and allocate an additional $50,000 to the Climate Investment fund.

While we feel this is a positive development, we feel it would be better to remove stationary ALPRs all together direct the $50,000 for ALPR replacement to the Climate Investment fund, the Affordable Housing Trust fund, or even more human resources to build out the SLP PD’s Behavioral Health Unit. Our city cannot afford to let these funds lag behind, especially as the climate and housing crises continue to worsen.

Be sure to check our calendar for more information on upcoming budget conversations with the City Council, or reach out to info@progressinthepark.org if you’d like to get more directly involved in lobbying our Council Members!