OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting – July 8, 2026

Budget Committee — Wednesday, July 8, 2026
BodySt Paul, Minnesota
SessionBudget Committee
DateWednesday, July 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 58:15

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Joe.

0:07

Kim.

0:08

Here.

0:08

Yang.

0:09

Comes President Anchor.

0:10

Here.

0:10

Seven present, non-absent.

0:12

Welcome everyone to our St.

0:14

Paul City Council meeting.

0:15

We're so thrilled that you took time to join us today.

0:17

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

0:26

United States of America.

0:28

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, invisible liberty and justice.

0:37

Consent agenda items five through four through 34 before you for your consideration.

0:42

And I know we are taking items 33 and 34 for separate consideration.

0:46

Is there anything else to come off of consent?

0:48

See none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Yang for the balance of the consent agenda.

0:52

All in favor say aye.

0:53

Aye.

0:53

All opposed.

0:54

Seven in favor, non opposed.

0:55

The consent agenda is adopted as amended.

0:57

Item 33 is resolution 26-969 establishing the rate of pay for the classification of GIS supervisor EG 09, SPSO, grade 19.

1:07

There was just a small technical change that needed to be added to this in the form of a version two.

1:11

So I will move version two.

1:13

Any discussion?

1:15

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

1:17

Aye, aye.

1:17

All opposed.

1:18

Seven in favor, none opposed.

1:19

The resolution is adopted as amended.

1:21

Item 34 is resolution 26-1106 celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kumbaya, the Juneteenth story and its enduring legacy of community culture, freedom in the city of St.

1:31

Paul.

1:37

All right.

1:38

Well, good afternoon, colleagues.

1:40

I get the pleasure of being able to introduce you today to Mrs.

1:44

Mrs.

1:44

Rose McGee.

1:45

So I'm gonna welcome Miss McGee up at this time to join me.

1:49

And also uh we have Nyla Heavert, hello, and we have um Dwayne as well coming in to talk to you a little bit about this resolution.

1:58

Um I had the chance to join them for the 30th anniversary of Kumbaya, the Juneteenth story.

2:04

And this resolution honors the legacy of this community culture and freedom that is here within our city.

2:10

As a reminder, we did pass a resolution here at this body and with full support as well so as a year's proclamation of Juneteenth, but also um that it uh something that's happened in partnership with the humanity center here in St.

2:22

Paul has been Miss McGee's Kumbaya Juneteenth story play.

2:26

This is something that has um continued to have an annual impact here, right in here in the St.

2:32

Paul area and at um St.

2:35

Kate's St.

2:36

Kate's University.

2:37

This is the 30th anniversary of the play.

2:40

It was um proclaimed the Kumbaya Juneteenth Story Day in the city of St.

2:46

Paul on June 26th.

2:47

So this pres this resolution is our contribution to the work and honoring leaders like those that are behind me and aside me.

2:55

So I with that I'm just going to um I'm gonna have Miss McGee give us a couple minutes.

3:00

I did share with folks that it's two minutes um each, and so I will come back in and just read the last two be it resolves clauses and uh we'll make a motion at that time.

3:11

Welcome.

3:13

Thank you, council, and I really do feel extremely honored um that you're acknowledging the 30th anniversary.

3:22

I cannot believe it's been 30 years, that um the twin cities, um Juneteenth Commission said, Can you create something that will help educate our community?

3:37

At the time we were doing um wonderful um parade and also a festival in the park, but people still didn't understand what Juneteenth meant.

3:49

So I was able to get started with um the Arts Us organization that was started by Tony Carter, and at that time we created this wonderful program that involved these young people, mostly through storytelling.

4:06

When we were done though, we asked the audience what did they want to see?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████████████27%
Arts And Culture█████████████████████21%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Housing█████████9%
Summary of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting – July 8, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 3:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and discussion items. Notable actions included the establishment of the GIS Supervisor pay rate, recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story play, a public hearing on the Tree Preservation Ordinance, and a tenant appeal regarding a fire correction notice. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless otherwise noted.

Communications & Receive/File

  • AO 26-39: Amended the financing and spending plans for the University Avenue Reconstruction Project. Received and filed.
  • AO 26-38: Established one new project through the Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program. Received and filed.
  • AO 26-40: Amended CDBG Project Budgets, allocating $150,000 for demolition of 648-656 Bush Avenue and returning $7,821.70 NENO funds to the undesignated fund. Received and filed.
  • AO 26-41: Authorized moving $71,499 from signing and lighting materials budget for a garage door replacement at 899 Dale Street. Received and filed.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 5 through 32 were adopted by one motion, with items 33 and 34 pulled for separate discussion. The consent agenda was adopted as amended (7-0). Key items included:
    • Res 26-903: Authorizing grant applications for federal and regional transportation funding.
    • Res 26-944: Approving tree removal costs and setting assessment hearings.
    • Res 26-968: Applying for curbside charging sub-grant from Rocky Mountain Institute.
    • Res 26-1000, 26-1001, 26-1002: Approving roadway infrastructure permits for the Highland Bridge (Ford Site) development.
    • Res 26-1016: Approving 2026 Right of Way Permit Fee Rates.
    • Res 26-1023: Naming Phalen Picnic Island to Tou Ger Xiong Island.
    • Res 26-1025: Authorizing a community garden license agreement with West Side Community Organization.
    • Res 26-1036, 26-1056, 26-1059: Accepting gifts for travel and training for city officials.
    • Res 26-1046: Authorizing solar interconnection agreement with Xcel Energy at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center.
    • Res 26-1052: Grant funds for Bewick Cafe LLC walk-in cooler/freezer project.
    • Res 26-1055: Approving special law for on-sale liquor licenses to Science Museum and Union Depot.
    • Res 26-1057: Approving sanitary sewer assessments for the Gold Line BRT project.
    • Res 26-1058: Honoring Catherine Plessner and recognizing July 9, 2026 as Catherine Plessner Day.
    • Res 26-1073: Approving change of ownership for liquor license at Mounds Park Lounge.
    • Res 26-1074: Approving new liquor license for Bewick Café.
    • Res 26-1075: Approving 2026 Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant Program awards.
    • Res 26-1077: Approving 2026 Neighborhood STAR Grant Program awards.
    • Res 26-1092: Adopting report that Tenant Right to Repair initiative petition is insufficient.
    • Res 26-1142, 26-1064: Authorizing police department grant applications for firearms storage and crisis intervention.
    • Res 26-998 and 26-1051 (labor agreements) laid over to July 15, 2026.

Discussion Items

  • RES 26-969 (Item 33): Establishing the rate of pay for the classification of GIS Supervisor, EG 09, SPSO, Grade 019. A technical amendment was added (version two). Adopted as amended (7-0).
  • RES 26-1106 (Item 34): Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story. Councilmember Johnson introduced the resolution. Rose McGee, creator of the play, testified alongside supporters from the Minnesota Humanities Center and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie. The resolution recognizes McGee’s contributions and the play’s enduring impact. Adopted (7-0).

Public Hearings & Testimony

  • RES PH 26-146 (Sound level variance for 4th Annual Rondo Block Party on August 1, 2026 at 820 Rondo Avenue): No public testimony. Public hearing closed and resolution adopted (7-0).
  • RES PH 26-147 (Sound level variance for Chicano Fest on July 11, 2026 at 235 Marshall Avenue): No public testimony. Public hearing closed and resolution adopted (7-0).
  • Ord 25-4 (Tree Preservation for City Sponsored Construction Projects): Public hearing held. Multiple speakers testified in support.
    • Tom Darling (Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association) expressed support for the ordinance, noting it prioritizes tree preservation over replacement. He thanked Megan Jackett for her work.
    • Gary Todd (Ward 2) asked whether the ordinance would force alternative designs to preserve trees and requested periodic reporting on its effectiveness.
    • Bridget Allen Alice (tree input group member) emphasized the high value of preserving mature trees for mental, physical, and financial health.
    • Michael John Peace (Saint Paul Parks Conservancy) praised the collaborative process and noted trees are now acknowledged as public infrastructure. Public hearing was temporarily reopened due to a video feed issue, then closed. The ordinance is laid over to July 15, 2026 for final adoption.

Legislative Hearing Items

  • Item 43 – RLH FCO 26-51: Appeal of Ambe McKenzie, tenant of unit 5 at 683 Kansas Avenue, to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice (June 9, 2026). Legislative Hearing Officer Joanna Zimny reported findings including leaky drain, smoke alarms removed, and holes. The appellant McKenzie testified about ongoing problems with the landlord, alleged theft, and retaliation. Council President Noecker offered to assist after the meeting. The council denied the appeal and granted until August 7, 2026 for compliance (7-0).
  • Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda (Items 40-42, 44-49): Adopted as amended (7-0). Notable actions:
    • Item 40 (399 Blair Ave): Public hearing continued to July 15, 2026.
    • Item 41 (947 Fremont Ave): $5,000 of $15,000 performance deposit forfeited; granted 180 days; referred to August 11, 2026 Legislative Hearing.
    • Item 44 (1655 McAfee St): Appeal denied; lower unit to be vacated immediately.
    • Item 47 (65 Rose Ave E): Appeal of Jay Mitchell (Quality Residences LLC) adopted.
    • Item 49 (855 Third St E): Additional extension granted to Paris Getty.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous (7-0).
  • Consent agenda adopted as amended.
  • GIS Supervisor pay rate established (adopted as amended).
  • 30th anniversary of Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story recognized.
  • Sound level variances for two community events approved.
  • Tree Preservation Ordinance public hearing concluded; ordinance laid over for final adoption on July 15, 2026.
  • Tenant appeal at 683 Kansas Avenue denied; compliance deadline set for August 7, 2026.
  • Several property appeals resolved with specific conditions as noted.
  • Multiple grants, permits, and license changes approved.
  • Labor agreements for Saint Paul Supervisors' Organization and Professional Employees Association laid over to July 15, 2026.
  • Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Joe. Kim. Here. Yang. Comes President Anchor. Here. Seven present, non-absent. Welcome everyone to our St. Paul City Council meeting. We're so thrilled that you took time to join us today. We invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, invisible liberty and justice. Consent agenda items five through four through 34 before you for your consideration. And I know we are taking items 33 and 34 for separate consideration. Is there anything else to come off of consent? See none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Yang for the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Seven in favor, non opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as amended. Item 33 is resolution 26-969 establishing the rate of pay for the classification of GIS supervisor EG 09, SPSO, grade 19. There was just a small technical change that needed to be added to this in the form of a version two. So I will move version two. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye, aye. All opposed. Seven in favor, none opposed. The resolution is adopted as amended. Item 34 is resolution 26-1106 celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kumbaya, the Juneteenth story and its enduring legacy of community culture, freedom in the city of St. Paul. All right. Well, good afternoon, colleagues. I get the pleasure of being able to introduce you today to Mrs. Mrs. Rose McGee. So I'm gonna welcome Miss McGee up at this time to join me. And also uh we have Nyla Heavert, hello, and we have um Dwayne as well coming in to talk to you a little bit about this resolution. Um I had the chance to join them for the 30th anniversary of Kumbaya, the Juneteenth story. And this resolution honors the legacy of this community culture and freedom that is here within our city. As a reminder, we did pass a resolution here at this body and with full support as well so as a year's proclamation of Juneteenth, but also um that it uh something that's happened in partnership with the humanity center here in St. Paul has been Miss McGee's Kumbaya Juneteenth story play. This is something that has um continued to have an annual impact here, right in here in the St. Paul area and at um St. Kate's St. Kate's University. This is the 30th anniversary of the play. It was um proclaimed the Kumbaya Juneteenth Story Day in the city of St.

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