OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026

Budget Committee — Wednesday, January 21, 2026
BodySt Paul, Minnesota
SessionBudget Committee
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:58:57

Transcript — Verbatim
5:10

The meeting of the St.

5:11

Paul City Council to order.

5:12

Roll call, please.

5:13

Here.

5:13

Coleman here.

5:14

Johnson.

5:15

Joest.

5:16

Here.

5:16

Kim.

5:17

Here.

5:17

Yang.

5:18

Here.

5:18

Council President Naker.

5:19

Here.

5:19

Six present, one absent, that being Councilmember Johnson, and she is excused.

5:23

Welcome everyone to our city council meeting.

5:25

Thank you all so much for joining us here.

5:27

We invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:33

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States in America.

5:37

And to the Republic for which it stands.

5:40

One nation under God.

5:42

Indivisible.

5:43

Liberty and Justice Crawl.

5:48

Consent agenda items two through six are before you for your consideration.

5:52

Is there anything to be taken for separate consideration?

5:56

Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Ms.

5:57

Yang for the consent agenda.

5:59

Any discussion?

6:01

All in favor say aye.

6:02

Aye.

6:02

All opposed.

6:03

Six in favor, none opposed.

6:04

The consent agenda is adopted.

6:06

Item number seven is resolution 26-132, celebrating 140 years of the St.

6:11

Paul winter carnival.

6:15

I am beyond thrilled to welcome Lisa Jacobson and all of the other members of her team who I don't know to join me up here to accept.

6:24

Oh, yeah, just keep going to be present as I read this resolution.

6:29

I think there's so much darkness going on in our community right now, and it is important to take a moment to celebrate all of the things that are wonderful about our community, and that in this case have been wonderful for 140 years.

6:43

So I'm going to read a little bit of this resolution, not all of it, but this is your copy to take and read at home.

6:49

But truly, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you, Lisa, for your leadership.

6:53

I want to thank your entire team.

6:55

This event was started as a way of saying that St.

6:59

Paul is a special place.

7:05

Whereas for 140 years, the St.

7:07

Paul Winter Carnival has served as a beloved community tradition and gathering place in the heart of St.

7:12

Paul, celebrating winter through iconic events, parades, ice sculptures, cultural programming, and family-friendly activities that have inspired and united millions of residents and visitors from around the world.

7:22

Whereas the St.

7:23

Paul Winter Carnival is the nation's oldest and most renowned winter festival, showcasing the creativity, resilience, and spirit of Minnesota while honoring St.

7:31

Paul's rich history, cultural heritage, and commitment to community celebration.

7:35

And whereas the St.

7:36

Paul Winter Carnival has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity by offering free and low-cost events, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds, removing barriers to attending, and reflecting the diversity of the communities it serves through its programming partnerships and volunteer engagement.

7:53

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we recognize and honor the St.

7:56

Paul Winter Carnival for its 140 years of service as a cultural, civic, and economic cornerstone of St.

8:02

Paul, enriching the city's identity and bringing people together in celebration of winter, even when it's hard to do.

8:08

And be it further resolved that this resolution stands as a token of deep appreciation for the St.

8:12

Paul Winter Carnival and a celebration of its 140-year legacy as an anchor institution in St.

8:17

Paul and for the lasting cultural, social and economic impact it continues to have on our community.

8:22

Thank you so much.

8:28

Do you want to say this with you?

8:31

This is yours to keep to track.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Immigration Policy██████████████████████████████████████38%
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Procedural█████████9%
Legislative Advocacy███████7%
Racial Equity███████7%
Emergency Management██████6%
Public Engagement███3%
Emergency Rental Assistance███3%
Land Use Regulation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 3:31 PM to 6:25 PM in the Council Chambers. Six members were present (Noecker, Yang, Kim, Bowie, Jost, Coleman) with Councilmember Johnson absent and excused. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including routine approvals, legislative priorities, an eviction moratorium resolution, a day of truth and freedom proclamation, emergency notification systems, zoning changes, a reparations commission donation, and a lengthy public hearing on federal immigration operations.

Consent Calendar

  • RES 26-129: Authorized the city to apply for a redevelopment grant for "The Beasley" at 642 Selby Avenue on behalf of the Rondo Community Land Trust.
  • RES 26-44: Authorized a Project Labor Agreement for a 2028 federal-funded Gold Line Pedestrian Improvements project.
  • RES 26-85: Authorized grant agreement for the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services 2026 Private Property Inflow & Infiltration Grant Program.
  • RES 26-106: Approved a liquor license for Gambit Brew Co LLC d/b/a Gambit Brewing at 141 4th St E, Suite LL2.
  • RES 26-119: Approved the Memorandum of Agreement for January 2026 wage adjustment with Painters District Council 82 (laid over to January 28, 2026). All consent items were adopted on a 6-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

A public hearing (PH 26-2) was held on grievances about federal immigration operations. Over 20 residents testified, sharing personal stories of fear, detention, and economic disruption due to ICE activities. Key themes included:

  • Demand for a strong separation ordinance preventing city property use for immigration enforcement.
  • Reports of ICE agents using unmarked vehicles, lack of identification, and aggressive tactics.
  • Impact on child care centers, schools, and medical facilities, with some centers going into lockdown.
  • Calls for an eviction moratorium to protect families unable to work or pay rent due to ICE presence.
  • Testimony from a woman who alleged she was illegally detained by Border Patrol with assistance from St. Paul Police.
  • Requests for clear communication from city leaders about police cooperation with federal agents.

The public hearing was closed on a 6-0 vote.

Discussion Items

  • RES 26-132 Celebrating 140 Years of Saint Paul Winter Carnival: Council President Noecker and Winter Carnival representatives highlighted the festival's cultural and economic significance. Adopted 6-0.
  • RES 25-1914 2026 Legislative Agenda: Assistant Mayors Vang and Stumo-Langer presented the city's state legislative priorities, including arena complex investments, cyber incident reimbursement, capital complex reimbursement, West 7th corridor funding, immigration surge support, and downtown redevelopment tools. The agenda was laid over to February 11, 2026, for further refinement and council feedback.
  • RES 26-121 Eviction Moratorium: Council Vice President Kim introduced a resolution calling on Governor Walz to issue an executive order for an eviction moratorium to protect families and small businesses during the immigration crisis. An amended version (version two) added protections for business tenants. Councilmembers expressed strong support, citing widespread fear and economic disruption. Adopted as amended 6-0.
  • SR 26-9 Emergency Management Services - Early Notification Systems: Director Rick presented an overview of alert systems (IPAWS, Everbridge, ENS) and explained that alerts are issued by Ramsey County based on imminent threats. Councilmember Bowie inquired about custom ward-level alerts via the ENS system. The report was received and filed.
  • Ord 26-4 Rezoning at 500 Broadway: First reading of a rezoning from I1 light industrial to B5 central business-service for four parcels. Staff recommended approval. Laid over to January 28 for second reading public hearing.
  • Ord 26-5 Prohibiting Law Enforcement Staging on City Property: First reading of an ordinance banning use of city-owned parking lots, ramps, and non-public spaces for federal immigration enforcement, except with a judicial warrant. The Council's Chief Policy Officer presented the ordinance as part of a phased approach. Councilmembers voiced unity and urgency. Laid over to January 28 for second reading and public hearing.
  • RES PH 26-9 Reparations Commission Donation: The Council accepted a $100,000 donation from Unity Church-Unitarian to support the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission. Speakers from the church and commission thanked the Council. Councilmember Bowie shared personal reflections on reparations. Adopted 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Eviction Moratorium Resolution: Adopted as amended 6-0, calling on the governor to issue an executive order.
  • Day of Truth and Freedom: RES 26-166 adopted 6-0, proclaiming January 23, 2026, as a day for voluntary civic participation and solidarity against ICE.
  • Separation Ordinance (Ord 26-5): First reading approved; second reading and public hearing set for January 28.
  • Legislative Agenda (RES 25-1914): Laid over to February 11 for final adoption.
  • Rezoning (Ord 26-4): Laid over to January 28.
  • Staff Positions (Ord 26-1): Adopted on final reading 6-0.
  • Animal Control Name Change (Ord 26-2): Laid over to January 28 for final adoption.
  • Solar Grants: RES PH 25-293 ($85,709 for Dayton's Bluff Rec Center), RES PH 25-294 ($72,000 for Frogtown Community Center), and RES PH 25-295 ($203,680 for tree planting) all adopted 6-0.
  • Alley and Airspace Vacations: RES PH 26-10 (Church of St. Bernard alley) and RES PH 26-11 (Nova Classical Academy airspace) adopted 6-0.
  • Nuisance Abatement Appeal (RLH SAO 26-3): Adopted as amended with an extension to February 20 to complete abatement at 1079 Western Avenue North.
  • Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda: Items 22 (tax assessment at 1762 Englewood Avenue) and 23 (fire inspection appeal at 1891 Seventh Street East #301) adopted as amended 6-0.
  • Painters Union Wage MOA (RES 26-119): Laid over to January 28 for adoption.

The meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting of the St. Paul City Council to order. Roll call, please. Here. Coleman here. Johnson. Joest. Here. Kim. Here. Yang. Here. Council President Naker. Here. Six present, one absent, that being Councilmember Johnson, and she is excused. Welcome everyone to our city council meeting. Thank you all so much for joining us here. We invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States in America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible. Liberty and Justice Crawl. Consent agenda items two through six are before you for your consideration. Is there anything to be taken for separate consideration? Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Ms. Yang for the consent agenda. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Six in favor, none opposed. The consent agenda is adopted. Item number seven is resolution 26-132, celebrating 140 years of the St. Paul winter carnival. I am beyond thrilled to welcome Lisa Jacobson and all of the other members of her team who I don't know to join me up here to accept. Oh, yeah, just keep going to be present as I read this resolution. I think there's so much darkness going on in our community right now, and it is important to take a moment to celebrate all of the things that are wonderful about our community, and that in this case have been wonderful for 140 years. So I'm going to read a little bit of this resolution, not all of it, but this is your copy to take and read at home. But truly, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you, Lisa, for your leadership. I want to thank your entire team. This event was started as a way of saying that St. Paul is a special place. Whereas for 140 years, the St. Paul Winter Carnival has served as a beloved community tradition and gathering place in the heart of St. Paul, celebrating winter through iconic events, parades, ice sculptures, cultural programming, and family-friendly activities that have inspired and united millions of residents and visitors from around the world. Whereas the St. Paul Winter Carnival is the nation's oldest and most renowned winter festival, showcasing the creativity, resilience, and spirit of Minnesota while honoring St. Paul's rich history, cultural heritage, and commitment to community celebration. And whereas the St.

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