We’re very excited being able to work with our partners and grocery stores in the area, being able to rescue that food and get it out to people so it doesn’t go to waste.”

Basic Needs Inc. Executive Director Opey Penaloga

It was a short one Feb. 18 when the St. Paul Park City Council met in council chambers to conduct city business. Coming in at roughly 18 minutes total, the night’s business saw a presentation from Basic Needs Inc. Executive Director Opey Penaloga on the organization’s work in the county.
"I just wanted to come down and introduce myself. I’ve met some of you but not all of you. I’m the new executive director for Basic Needs,” Penaloga said.
Transitioning to the role in May, Penaloga said he had spent the interim catching up.
“I apologize it’s taken me almost a year to get down here,” he said. “I just wanted to come down and give you all an idea of how we landed, what we’ve done in the community this past year and just kind of share some numbers with you and then maybe make some invitations to be involved in different ways in the organization this year.”
Among the numbers and updates shared by Penaloga was the one-year anniversary celebration of Basic Needs Food Market in September, said Market distributing 680,000 pounds of food to the community.
“We’re very excited being able to work with our partners and grocery stores in the area, being able to rescue that food and get it out to people so it doesn’t go to waste,” he said.
Penaloga said the Market served 160,000 people, including 25,000 children and 50,000 seniors.
Also in the Basic Needs update was the thrift store, located in the mall across from Norris Square off 80th Street South.
“We also have a voucher program at the thrift store that’s just up the road here,” he said, saying a total of just over $10,000 was given out through the program. But that wasn’t all.
“I think our biggest thing that we did this year is we had an event called the PIT Stop and that was up here at the Armory,” he said. “That event, we worked with over 40 agencies and organizations, the county that came together, and we had a community resource fair, and we invited folks from just South Washington County, predominantly Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park, came who needed access to resources.”
Among the aid the PIT Stop dispersed were referrals to homeless services as well as $2,000 in gas and food cards. Other organizations and agencies helped with things like diapers and other needs. Just over 400 people attended, above the expectations of Basic Needs. With last year’s success the second annual PIT Stop is scheduled for Oct. 9.
“I’d love to have you all come down and be a part of it,” Penaloga said.
Also from Basic Needs, the non-profit will hold its Fashion For A Cause Gala April 10 to help with expenses, with invitations pending. Then there was May.
“We also have a really special event, it’s a first-year event,” he said. “On May 17 we’re doing an event called Badges and Hoses, Badges vs. Hoses, and we’re asking local fire departments and police departments with the Park High School JV basketball team, and we’re going to have kind of a little playoff to see the fire departments playing off against the police departments,” he said, inviting the people from Newport, Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park to be a part of it.
“I got to step in there Opey,” Mayor Keith Franke said. “Do I get a whistle?”
“You get a whistle and I’ll even get you a ref shirt,” Penaloga said.
“We’ll have to talk then,” Franke answered.
“Okay, for sure,” Penaloga said. Thanking the council for listening, he then ceded the floor. “We’d like to find ways for the different cities to be involved with that game,” Penaloga said. “Thank you.”
In other news, the following meetings are set for regional open book property tax review:
•Thursday, April 3 at Cottage Grove City Hall from 5-7p.m.
•Wednesday, April 9 at Oakdale City Hall from 5-7 p.m.
•Thursday, April 17 at Woodbury City Hall from 5-7 p.m.
•Wednesday, April 23 at Washington City Government Center from 2-7 p.m.
Also in the consent agenda were:
 a lawful gambling permit which was approved for Household of Faith Church for Sept. 13 as well as a special event permit for the American Legion Burger Bash on April 12.
 Resolution No 1736, endorsing federal funding for body armor for all emergency responders, as well as Resolution No. 1737, declaring a council vacancy. Applicants to the council seat of council member Bruce Zenner should submit their applications by March 5 for appointment to the seat. The appointee would then serve out the rest of Zenner’s term. Zenner resigned for personal reasons.
As for department report highlights, Parks and Rec will host a garden event May 3 in memory of Andy Cison, with readers directed to the city’s Facebook page.
Mayor Franke shared that meetings had been held with Angie Craig and Commissioner Karla Bigham on long-term planning related to the overpass, as well as bills at the Capitol, from first responder notification to open communication with the refinery.
Also in the administrative update are talks with the DNR for possible PFAs funds grant money to dredge out Lions Levee Park for better water flow through it.