Saint Paul City Council Meeting – May 13, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3:30 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. All seven council members were present (Councilmember Kim participated remotely). The meeting was called to order by Council President Rebecca Noecker and adjourned at 4:27 PM. The council approved numerous routine items, held a detailed discussion on the appointment of the Director of Planning and Economic Development, and imposed penalties and new conditions on a liquor license following a shooting incident.

Consent Calendar

• Communications & Receive/File: Two administrative orders were received and filed: (1) Amending Capital Improvement Budgets to move 1% Sales Tax funds to the Grand Snelling Intersection Improvement Project (AO 26-26); (2) Amending CDBG budgets to allocate $20,000 for Ramsey County Window Replacement and return $20,783 to the Housing Real Estate Undesignated Fund (AO 26-27).
• Consent Agenda (Resolutions 3–14, 16, 17): Adopted unanimously (7-0). This included approvals for demolition assessments, sanitary sewer repair assessments, four collective bargaining agreements (laid over one week for adoption), a MnDOT Trunk Highway 61 agreement, a grant application for the Conway Recreation Center (up to $1,900,000), an extension of Evie Carshare leases, acceptance of a gift stipend for an assistant city attorney, a master services agreement for background checks, appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission, approval of a memorandum of agreement with the Tri-Council for an interim wage increase, and appointment of Cedrick Baker as Assistant Mayor.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Director of Planning and Economic Development (RES 26-791): The council considered the mayor’s appointment of Melanie McMahon (currently interim director) to the permanent role. Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson (HRA Chair) moved to lay the item over two weeks (to May 27) to continue discussions with McMahon about partnership and deliverables. Councilmembers shared diverse positions: Johnson and Bowie supported the layover, noting the need for alignment on housing/economic justice priorities and a transparent process; Yang supported the layover but requested only one week; Kim supported the layover to allow her colleague more time; Coleman expressed strong support for McMahon and would vote for confirmation but supported the layover to respect the ask; Jost opposed the layover, stating the charter clearly gives the mayor appointment power and that sufficient time had elapsed since the April 15 announcement; Noecker opposed the layover, ready to vote today. The motion for a two-week layover passed 4-3 (Yang, Kim, Bowie, Johnson in favor; Noecker, Jost, Coleman opposed). The item will return on May 27, 2026.
• Adverse Action Against St. Paul Saloon (RES 26-532): The council considered recommended penalties against A & M Bar and Grill LLC d/b/a St Paul Saloon at 1045 Hudson Road for a November 1, 2025 incident involving gunfire inside the bar. Assistant City Attorney Monica Schaefer presented evidence that a security guard failed to respond to a metal detector alert, allowing an armed patron to enter. The Department of Safety and Inspections recommended a $500 matrix penalty and amendments to three license conditions: upgraded camera surveillance, proper use of the metal detector, and photo-ID scanning. Licensee Alex Rivero disputed some facts (e.g., that the metal detector was low-cost and often gave false alarms, that the gunman’s weapon jammed) and objected to the cost of new equipment. After a pause for negotiation, Rivero accepted the essential facts but asked for relief from the costs. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the resolution as recommended, citing community safety concerns. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the penalty and amended conditions.

Ordinances (Final Adoption)

• Amending Chapter 66 (Green Roofs) – Ord 26-25: Adopted unanimously (7-0) to correct a scrivener’s error allowing additional lot coverage for functional green roof space.
• Amending Chapter 310 (License Fee Extension) – Ord 26-26: Adopted unanimously (7-0) to extend payment of license renewal fees owed in calendar year 2026, a measure responding to the impacts of Operation Metro Surge on small businesses.

Public Hearings

• Vacation of Morton Street in Baker Playground (RES PH 26-105): Adopted 7-0 after no public testimony.
• Tree Planting Grant (RES PH 26-110): Adopted 7-0 to accept an additional $43,745 from the Minnesota DNR for Saint Paul’s tree planting program.
• Sound Level Variance for Lowertown Sounds (RES PH 26-112): Adopted 7-0 to allow amplified sound on selected Thursdays in June, July, and potentially August at Mears Park.
• Police Donation for National Police Week (RES PH 26-116): Adopted 7-0 to accept a donation from the Ramsey County Chiefs of Police Association for officer travel to Washington, D.C.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda

• Items 25–32 were adopted as amended (with one item continued to June 10) by a 7-0 vote, including tax assessments, nuisance abatement findings, a fire inspection appeal, a rehabilitation/razing order (amended to grant 180 days), a summary abatement appeal, and tree removal assessments.

Key Outcomes

• Appointment of PED Director laid over two weeks (to May 27, 2026) for further discussion between Councilmember Johnson and Director McMahon.
• St. Paul Saloon license penalized with a $500 fine and amended security, camera, and ID-scanning conditions (vote 7-0).
• Two ordinances adopted correcting a green roof code error and extending 2026 license fee payments.
• Four public hearing items approved including street vacation, tree planting grant, sound variance, and police donation.
• Legislative hearing consent agenda approved with modifications (one nuisance abatement continued to June 10).
• All consent items adopted unanimously, including multiple labor agreements (laid over one week), infrastructure agreements, and appointments.