St. Paul City Council Meeting – April 22, 2026

The St. Paul City Council met on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 3:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 3:33 PM and adjourned at 5:15 PM. All seven council members were present. The agenda included approvals of mayoral appointments, a resolution honoring civil rights leader Yusef Mgeni, a contentious resolution on divestment from ICE-enabling companies, first readings of two ordinances, a public hearing and final adoption of an immigration oversight ordinance, and multiple consent agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3 through 24 were adopted by a single 7-0 vote with no separate discussion. Key actions include:
  • Approval of a Gambling Location and liquor license upgrade for Groveland Tap (1834 St. Clair Avenue).
  • Authorization of a cooperative agreement with Ramsey County for the Maryland Avenue Corridor Study.
  • Acceptance of donations totaling $2,000 for the McDonough Recreation Center Spring Egg Hunt.
  • Authorization to apply for up to $500,000 from the Ramsey County Environmental Response Fund for the Mississippi River Learning Center Peninsula Restoration project.
  • Approval of Memoranda of Agreement for wage and fringe adjustments with IBEW Local 110 and Steamfitters Pipefitters Local 455 (both laid over to May 6).
  • Authorization for the Police Department to apply for FY 2025 State Homeland Security Program grants.
  • Purchase of a used fire truck from the City of Vadnais Heights.
  • Accepting gifts of travel and conference registration for firefighters.
  • Approval of Neighborhood STAR grant changes and expenditures.
  • Changes in pay grades for Legal Support Specialist and Solid Waste Services Crew Leader (both laid over).
  • Approval of the 2026–2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME Local 3757 (Legal).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 32 – Ordinance 26-19 (Immigration Training & Reporting): Three members of the public testified in favor:
  • Laurel St. Marie Jerusalem (Ward 7, leader with Unidos/Monarca) expressed strong support, emphasizing the need for better training, transparency, and accountability following the events of Operation Metro Surge and the mayor's refusal to conduct an independent investigation.
  • Lauren Allen (55107) urged the council to adopt the ordinance, stating that without it, residents cannot trust police or the social contract. She called on the council to override any potential mayoral veto.
  • Benjamin Goodman (Ward 3, Parks and Rec employee) shared a personal encounter with ICE in January 2026, noting that city employees lacked clear reporting procedures. He argued that training is urgently needed.
• Item 34 – Xcel Energy Sound Level Variance: Xcel Energy representatives Alicia Rasmussen and Sean Peterson presented the request for a 24-hour sound variance (up to 85 decibels) from May 7–21, 2026 for infrastructure work near Eagle Parkway and Shepard Road. No public opposition was voiced; the variance was approved.

Discussion Items

Mayoral Appointments

• Res 26-662 (Deb Barber, Director of Public Works): Approved 7-0. Barber was sworn in.
• Res 26-663 (Joe Harney, Office of Financial Services Director): Approved 7-0. Harney was sworn in.
• Res 26-667 (Kevin Duong, Communications Manager): Approved 7-0. Duong was sworn in.

Honoring the Legacy of Yusef Mgeni (Res 26-672)

• Councilmember Bowie co-sponsored and read a detailed resolution honoring Yusef Mgeni, a historian, civil rights leader, and community educator who passed away on April 7, 2026. The resolution highlighted his work with the NAACP, St. Paul Strong, Rondo Avenue restoration, and his mentorship of generations of leaders.
• Speakers included: Rev. Richard Pittman (NAACP State Conference), King Demetrius (family member), Tyrone Terrell (African American Leadership Council), Elder Frank White (historian), and Mayor Melvin Carter. Mayor Carter shared a personal story of Mgeni’s mentorship during his first campaign and proclaimed April 27, 2026 as Yusef Mgeni Day in St. Paul.
• Councilmembers Johnson and Kim added remarks. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0) as amended.

Divestment Resolution (Res 26-619) – Urging European Financial Institutions to Divest from ICE-Enabling Companies

• Councilmember Kim introduced the resolution in support of a Twin Cities delegation currently in Europe. The resolution urged European financial institutions to divest from companies that enable DHS and ICE.
• Discussion: Councilmembers Bowie and Johnson expressed concerns about insufficient information, lack of direct engagement with the delegation, and the resolution's foreign policy implications. Johnson noted that Minneapolis had passed a similar resolution but felt St. Paul needed more clarity on who the delegation members were. Councilmember Jost also voiced concerns about tangible outcomes. Vice President Yang supported the resolution and suggested a layover to allow for more education and a meeting with the delegation.
• Outcome: A motion to lay the resolution over to May 6, 2026 passed on a roll call vote of 5-2 (Bowie and Jost opposed). The resolution will be reconsidered at the May 6 meeting.

First Reading of Ordinances

• Ord 26-25 (Green Roof Scrivener’s Error): Corrects a technical error in Chapter 66 regarding lot coverage for functional green roofs. Laid over to May 6 for second reading/public hearing.
• Ord 26-26 (License Fee Extension): Updates Chapter 310 to allow Class N license holders to pay renewal fees owed in calendar year 2026 by the end of the year. Director Angie Wiese (DSI) explained the ordinance provides relief to businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge and the 2025 cyberattack. Laid over to May 6 for second reading/public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Immigration Oversight Ordinance (Ord 26-19): After a public hearing that was reopened for additional testimony, the council voted 7-0 to adopt Chapter 44A of the Administrative Code. The ordinance institutes mandatory training, reporting, and programming related to the city’s separation ordinance (Chapter 44). Councilmembers emphasized that the ordinance ensures consistent implementation, public accountability, and is within the council’s authority. Several members indicated they would override a potential mayoral veto.
• Xcel Energy Sound Level Variance (RES PH 26-90): Approved 7-0, allowing 24-hour construction noise (up to 85 decibels) from May 7–21.
• Fire Department Funding & Donations (RES PH 26-92, 26-94, 26-95): All approved, with Councilmember Jost absent for items 92, 94, and 95 (votes were 6-0).
• Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda (Items 38–53): Adopted as amended, including various property tax assessment ratifications, deletions, and extensions of condemnation orders. Notable: appeals at 358 Arbor St., 100 George St. E., 1112 Kingsford St., 306 Sidney St. E. were resolved; several assessments were deleted or reduced.

Ward News & Announcements

• Councilmember Kim promoted the Ward 2 Soapbox Derby on June 2, 2026 at Hidden Falls Drive, now including a team from Minneapolis.
• Councilmember Johnson announced cleanups and a Little League opening day on April 24–25.
• Councilmember Coleman highlighted Earth Day (April 22) and multiple cleanups, including the Hamlin-Midway “Big Old Trash Party” and a benefit concert for Operation Metro Surge recovery on April 27.
• Council President Noecker announced a ground-breaking for the new downtown Aldi on May 1.
• Councilmember Bowie promoted events at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, including an opera-circus performance, African Heritage Day at the Capitol, a fashion show on May 2, and a health clinic on April 23.
• Councilmember Johnson noted a tenant protections community conversation on May 7 at the Northern Community Center.