Brooklyn Park council adopts limited candidate tabling policy for city events

Brooklyn Park’s City Council on Tuesday approved a new policy that allows candidates to distribute campaign literature at selected city-sponsored events while prohibiting distribution inside city-owned buildings.

City Manager Jace Strobel introduced the proposal, saying the policy separates distribution of written materials inside city buildings — which would remain disallowed — from permitted campaign activity at city-sponsored events. Under the policy, staff will recommend up to four events each year where pre-registered, paid candidate tabling would be allowed, and the council can adjust that list annually.

The proposal also limits on-site representation: no more than three campaign representatives per candidate or issue at any single event, and organizers would set a predetermined fee for tabling. Staff clarified that when the city partners with an outside host or rents space, the host’s rules — for example, a college campus’s policy — will govern whether tabling is allowed on that site.

Councilmembers raised concerns about youth-focused events and the potential for campaigns to dominate civic-engagement programming. Councilmember Page and others urged excluding primarily youth events; council members agreed to swap one recommended event for Latino Fest to ensure outreach to diverse communities.

Councilmember Zhang moved to adopt the policy and Councilmember Page seconded. The motion passed by roll call with 4 yes votes, 1 abstention (Councilmember Tran) and 1 no vote, according to the roll-call summary.