St. Paul City Council Meeting - August 26, 2026

The St. Paul City Council met on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 3:30 PM in the Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The meeting covered consent agenda items, a suspension item, a resolution on Flock Safety, an ordinance for the fire chief selection committee, multiple public hearings, and legislative hearing items. The meeting adjourned at 4:31 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–23: Adopted as amended. Item 21 (RES 26-1404) was removed for separate discussion and then adopted unanimously (7–0). It approves $140,000 in grant funds from the Ward 1 Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program for the United Church of God In Christ, Inc., which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
• Suspension Item – RES 26-1479: Adopted (7–0). Approves a use agreement between the Department of Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood House for the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center, and terminates the prior lease. Council President Noecker noted this was a last-minute addition to resolve a funding snag.

Discussion Items

• RES 26-1421 – Flock Safety Resolution: Adopted (7–0). The resolution calls upon the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County to end their contracts with Flock Safety. Council President Noecker and Councilmember Jost co-sponsored. Council members expressed concerns about public trust, data sharing with third parties, and federal overreach during Operation Metro Surge. Councilmember Yang noted the majority of constituent communication supported ending the contract. Councilmember Kim called for a future ordinance addressing broader AI-powered mass surveillance. The resolution also requires a report from the administration within 60 days.
• Ord 26-38 – Fire Chief Selection Committee: Adopted as amended (7–0). This administrative ordinance establishes a Qualifications and Examining Committee for the Fire Chief position. Vice President Yang highlighted the committee's stellar representation, including community voices and St. Paul residents. The committee will review applications and send top five recommendations to the mayor for interview; the council will then confirm the appointment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 26 – Residential Permit Parking Area 23 Expansion: Two residents spoke in support of expanding permit parking on Princeton Avenue and Mount Curve Boulevard. Jenny Housum (229 Fairmount Ave) argued there was no evidence against the expansion and noted St. Thomas arena events increase parking demand. Murray Thurston (200 Mount Curve) supported it despite expecting it to push cars to his street. Both supported the city's staff recommendation.
• Item 40 – Appeal of Paul Mulcahy (272 Richmond Street): Mr. Mulcahy testified, requesting waiver or reduction of the vacant building registration fee. He explained he inherited the property after his sister's death and has made improvements (new roof, windows, etc.). He noted a building permit was approved and aims for completion by February 2027. No other public testimony was offered on legislative hearing items.

Key Outcomes

• Permit Parking Expansion Denied: The council voted 7–0 to deny modifying Residential Permit Parking Area 23 boundaries. Councilmember Coleman moved to deny, citing lack of consistent parking demand, enforcement issues, equity concerns about privatizing public right-of-way, and the need to address root causes (St. Thomas parking and mode shift). Councilmembers Noecker and Jost supported the denial.
• Vacant Building Registration Appeal Denied: The council voted 7–0 to deny the appeal of Paul Mulcahy, as recommended by legislative hearing officer Ms. Mormond. The fee can be addressed later at the assessment stage, with potential proration and payment plans. Council President Noecker urged Mr. Mulcahy to continue work and noted the late billing issue will be reviewed citywide.
• Public Hearing Items Approved: All remaining public hearing items (items 27–35) were adopted unanimously (7–0 each), including:
  • Accepting $70,469.50 from Green Cities Accord for tree planting.
  • Approving final plat at 500 Broadway St.
  • Accepting $3,922 donation for Dr. Justus O’Hage Memorial Restoration from St. Paul Parks Conservancy.
  • Approving Energy Park Utility Company rate amendments.
  • Accepting $2,907,008 in Parks and Trails Legacy Funds.
  • Approving sound level variances for University of St. Thomas football events, Waldmann Oktoberfest, and Church of Lumen Christi block party.
  • Accepting 2025 State Homeland Security Program grant for Police Department.
• Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda: Adopted as amended. Items 37–46 were approved, with two items (appeals of Erin Metz Verdeja and Lindquist) continued to September 2, 2026. Item 40 (Mulcahy) was removed for separate hearing and the appeal denied. All votes 7–0.

Other Business

• Good News: Council members shared community events: East Side Freedom Library labor solidarity picnic (Sept 12), Dayton's Bluff Library discussion series (Sept 24), United Church of God in Christ 25th anniversary (Aug 29), Selby Jazz Fest (Sept 12–13), and the Downtown Action Series (Aug 27). Councilmember Kim celebrated the inaugural State of Our Youth Address which had over 120 participants and standing room only.
• The council then adjourned to hold a special public hearing on surveillance technology.