St. Paul City Council Policy Committee Meeting - April 1, 2026

The St. Paul City Council Policy Committee met on April 1, 2026, to discuss three agenda items: the 90-day youth minimum wage exemption, training repayment agreement provisions (TRAPs), and reforms to the city's sign ordinance. The meeting lasted approximately 90 minutes and included presentations from city staff, external experts, and business stakeholders. Council members expressed broad support for eliminating the youth wage exemption, addressing TRAPs through existing ordinances, and initiating a comprehensive study to simplify the sign code.

Discussion Items

1. Youth Minimum Wage (90-Day Youth Wage Exemption) Stephanie Baymer from the Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department (HERO) presented background on the city's labor standards enforcement and the youth wage exception. The 90-day youth wage allows employees aged 14-17 to be paid 85% of the small business minimum wage for the first 90 consecutive days of employment. A separate youth-focused training program exception applies to programs with local, state, or federal funding. Council members discussed the pros and cons of the exemption, noting that Minneapolis does not have a similar youth wage. Councilmember Kim highlighted that many youth contribute to household income and raised concerns about other exemptions, such as subminimum wage for persons with disabilities. Councilmembers Johnson, Bowie, and Vice President Yang expressed support for eliminating the 90-day youth wage, emphasizing investments in youth and families. Staff noted that the city's Right Track program (YJ1) serves about 500 interns annually with substantial training and job coaching. Councilmembers requested follow-up data on budgetary implications and trade-offs, including potential impacts on the number of youth jobs. A resolution to move forward was not taken at this meeting; further coordination with HERO and Right Track was planned.

2. Training Repayment Agreement Provisions (TRAPs) Chris Hicks, Senior Policy Advisor at Protect Borrowers, presented on employer-driven debt through stay-or-pay contracts, particularly training repayment agreement provisions (TRAPs). He cited examples from healthcare (HCA Healthcare, Frontier Airlines), retail (PetSmart), and other industries. A 2024 Cornell survey found 1 in 12 U.S. workers subject to TRAPs, up from 4.1% in 2014. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison brought a case against DECA Lashes in 2025 for using TRAPs. Hicks noted that St. Paul's wage theft ordinance may already prohibit such practices by defining employer clawbacks as wage theft. Councilmembers questioned whether TRAPs have become industry-wide standards and discussed the benefits of a specific ordinance for clarity and public education. Councilmember Coleman added that smaller employers often adopt standard contract language from large corporations. The committee expressed support for using existing enforcement tools and exploring additional local legislation.

3. Sign Ordinance Reform Joe Spencer (St. Paul Downtown Alliance) and John Pertlich (St. Paul Area Chamber) described how the current sign code creates barriers for businesses, with a 40-page code, 17 sign districts, and unpredictable processes. Lynn Pingle (Chair of the Business Review Council) presented findings from a cultural destination area study completed in 2025, which identified signage and wayfinding as key challenges. Director Angie Weesy (Safety and Inspections) detailed the code's complexity, noting it requires one full-time FTE and 50 staff across departments, with only 250 permits per year and 13 sign-related complaints in 2024. Tony Johnson (Planning and Economic Development) outlined a proposed zoning study to simplify the code, eliminate special districts, reduce prohibited signs, and allow more creative signage citywide. A resolution to initiate the study was anticipated after spring break (the week of April 6). Councilmembers unanimously supported the effort, emphasizing the need for citywide improvements to support business vitality and foot traffic.

Key Outcomes

• Youth Minimum Wage: Council expressed strong support for eliminating the 90-day youth wage exemption. Staff will provide follow-up data on budget impacts and trade-offs, including comparisons with Minneapolis and potential funding gaps for youth training programs. No formal vote was taken; further coordination with HERO and Right Track is expected.
• TRAPs: Council affirmed that St. Paul's wage theft ordinance likely covers training repayment agreements. Staff will explore additional explicit language to clarify enforcement and consider a specific ordinance. The committee will continue to monitor state-level actions and coordinate with the Attorney General's office.
• Sign Ordinance Reform: Council agreed to move forward with a zoning study to comprehensively update the sign code. A resolution to initiate the study will be brought to a future council meeting (likely after May 2026). The study aims to simplify regulations, reduce the number of sign districts, and make the permitting process easier for businesses. No formal vote was taken at this meeting.