Saint Paul City Council Meeting - January 28, 2026
Saint Paul City Council Meeting - January 28, 2026
The Saint Paul City Council convened at 3:32 PM on January 28, 2026, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Six members were present (Council President Rebecca Noecker, Vice President HwaJeong Kim, Councilmembers Anika Bowie, Molly Coleman, Saura Jost, and Nelsie Yang); Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson was excused. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, final adoption of an ordinance, first readings of two ordinances, multiple public hearings on street reconstruction projects and immigration grievances, and the swearing-in of several mayoral appointees. The meeting adjourned at 5:27 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Adopted as amended (6-0) items 2-12 and 14, including: authorizing an amended joint powers agreement with Ramsey County for Emergency Solutions Grant funds; authorizing Police Department expenditures for community engagement (RES 26-90), light refreshments for critical incidents (RES 26-91), field sobriety training (RES 26-93), canine unit events (RES 26-94), and law enforcement training food (RES 26-95); directing a 10-day license suspension for Dilla Sports Bar & Restaurant at 1625 University Avenue West (RES 26-108); releasing slope easement rights along Rose Avenue West and Geranium Avenue West (RES 26-110); supporting a mural project on a MnDOT wall at US Hwy 61 and 3rd Street East (RES 26-142); extending the timeline for the Administrative Citation Legislative Advisory Committee (RES 26-170); approving a wage and fringe adjustment MOA with Painters District Council 82 (RES 26-119); and establishing a process for suspending rules on immigration-related ordinances (RES 26-159).
Discussion Items
- RES 26-58 (City Council Committees): Laid over to February 11, 2026 (6-0) for further work.
- RES 26-179 (Mayoral Appointments): Adopted (6-0) approving the appointments of Jenna Rourke as Intergovernmental Relations Director, Cedric Baker as Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Marcus Owens as Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment, and Jason Schmidt and Abby Gedea as Interim Co-Directors of Human Resources. All appointees were sworn in collectively.
- Ord 26-6 (Law Enforcement Visible Identification): First reading. Staff Attorney Tim Greenfield presented the ordinance, which requires law enforcement officers performing duties in Saint Paul to display their agency name and either a name or badge number on the outermost layer of their uniform, with exemptions for undercover operations, exigent circumstances, specific threats, and occupational health accommodations. Vice President Kim, Councilmembers Yang and Coleman expressed strong support, noting the policy already applies to Saint Paul Police and is critical for accountability amid federal enforcement actions. Councilmember Bowie raised concerns about potential loopholes, particularly the exemption for officer safety, and requested legal analysis. The ordinance was laid over to February 4, 2026 for second reading/public hearing.
- Ord 26-5 (Prohibiting Law Enforcement Staging on City Property): Council President Noecker moved Version 2 of the ordinance to include properties controlled by the city (e.g., HRA, library agency). The amendment was approved (6-0). A public hearing was held; one resident (Silas from Frogtown) testified in support. The ordinance was laid over to February 4, 2026 for final adoption.
- RES PH 26-6 (St. Anthony/Rondo Mill and Overlay): Adopted (6-0) without public testimony.
- RES PH 26-5 (Wheelock/Grotto Phase II Paving, Lighting, Mill & Overlay): Assistant City Engineer Steve Dodge presented the $15.5 million project covering 2 miles of pavement, new curb and gutter, sidewalk replacement, utility work, and tree preservation (53 of 311 trees removed). Public testimony included concerns from homeowners about high assessments: Tom (first-time homeowner) faced $14,200 in assessments and argued corner lots were unfairly assessed separately; Nathan Emerson called the $10,000 bill three times his annual property taxes; Molly Evans (disabled combat veteran) requested a cap and financial assistance; Aaron suggested repairing rather than replacing roads. Discussion: Staff clarified that assessments are estimated and subject to special benefit caps (e.g., 18.67% for Wheelock/Grotto, 21.6% for the mill and overlay). Vice President Kim noted that the special benefit cap has been applied, and the final assessment will be determined after construction bids. Council President Noecker explained the policy rationale, including that tax-exempt properties pay through assessments. Adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-4 (Earl Street Paving and Lighting): Transportation Planning Lead Brian Gravlin presented the $12.5 million full reconstruction from Maryland to Minnehaha, including bike lanes, ADA ramps, and median islands. Public testimony: Hannah (East Side resident, pediatric nurse) expressed concern about the cumulative tax burden, noting her property taxes rose from $3,600 (2021) to $5,300 (2025). Councilmember Yang highlighted the project's funding from the 1% sales tax, tree preservation efforts (replacement exceeds removal), and future bike network expansion. Councilmember Johnson's statement (read by Council President Noecker) praised community engagement. Adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-3 (Pelham Boulevard Paving and Lighting): Project Manager Jerry Lee presented the $18.5 million project from Franklin to Mississippi River Blvd., including road meandering, off-street bike trail, all-way stops, and tree preservation (75% canopy saved). Public testimony was extensive and opposed the design: Jacob Steen (attorney for property owners at Pelham and University) objected to $115,000 in assessments and loss of on-street parking; Brene Vera Cruz (66-year resident) argued the road shift 14 feet closer to homes reduces property value and no special benefit; Teresa (resident of 528 Pelham) objected to assessments for bike lanes; Jerry Goetz (51-year resident) raised driveway access and safety concerns; Marita Bougeau criticized the city for withholding information about cut-through traffic; Rebecca (Denoyer Park) cited health risks from traffic pollution; Joshua Hodak (Sierra Club) advocated for narrower 10-foot lanes and local control of state aid standards. Staff responded that the shift saves significant trees, that the road remains within a 120-foot right-of-way, and that lane widths match other Grand Round projects. Councilmember Coleman expressed appreciation for community input and trust in staff. Adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-15 (Building Official Training Grant): Adopted (6-0) accepting $75,000 from the Minnesota Department of Labor.
- RES PH 26-19 (Community Policing Microgrant): Adopted (6-0) authorizing acceptance of a 2025 microgrant from the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office.
- RES PH 26-27 (Tenant Protections Fund): Adopted (6-0) accepting funds for administration of Legislative Code Chapter 193.
- PH 26-4 (Grievances About Federal Immigration Operations): A public hearing was held with five testifiers. Sarah Gartner (Ward 7) requested clarity on the separation ordinance and reporting of violations; Lizzie (Ward 1) called for an eviction moratorium and utility debt forgiveness; Alex (Frogtown) described daily ICE presence and urged urgent action; another speaker advocated for minimizing jail bookings to avoid biometric fingerprint sharing; Nancy (38-year resident) asked if 911 will respond when ICE is present. Council President Noecker confirmed that 911 should be called and police will respond, though they cannot prevent federal agents from performing lawful duties. Councilmember Bowie highlighted the economic and community impacts, citing a volunteer at Highley Q Brown Community Center detained by ICE. The public hearing was continued to February 4, 2026 (6-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda adopted as amended (6-0).
- RES 26-58 laid over to February 11, 2026 (6-0).
- RES 26-179 adopted and appointees sworn in (6-0).
- Ord 26-2 (Animal Control to Animal Services) finally adopted (6-0).
- Ord 26-6 (Law Enforcement ID) laid over to February 4 for second reading (6-0).
- Ord 26-4 (500 Broadway Rezoning) laid over to February 4 for final adoption (6-0).
- Ord 26-5 (Prohibit Staging on City Property) amended and laid over to February 4 for final adoption (6-0).
- RES PH 26-6 (St. Anthony/Rondo Mill & Overlay) adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-5 (Wheelock/Grotto Phase II) adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-4 (Earl Street) adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-3 (Pelham Boulevard) adopted (6-0).
- RES PH 26-15, 26-19, 26-27 adopted (each 6-0).
- PH 26-4 (Immigration Grievances) continued to February 4, 2026 (6-0).
- Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda (items 27-34) adopted as amended (6-0), including appeals, assessed tax ratifications, and correction orders.
Meeting Transcript
Coleman. Here. Johnson. Joast. Him. Here. Yang. Here. Council President Naker. Here. Six present, one absent, that being Councilmember Johnson, and she is excused. Thank you all so much for joining us for our city council meeting today, and welcome to our council chambers. It's really exciting to see some very young civic engagers here with us today. So welcome. We invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic, which is fans. Liberty and Justice. Consent agenda items two through fifteen are before you for your consideration. And I know we are taking items thirteen and fifteen for separate consideration. Is there anything else to be pulled from consent? Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Kim to approve the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Six in favor, none opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as amended. And you want to take fifteen first. Oh, okay. You don't okay. So item 13 is resolution twenty-six-fifty-eight, amending appendix A two of the administrative code relating to city council committees. And this uh on this resolution, I'm gonna move a layover till February eleventh. It just needs a little bit more work. Um, so that's my motion. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Six in favor, none opposed. The resolution is laid over to February eleventh. Item number fifteen is resolution twenty-six-one seventy-nine. Approving the mayor's appointments of Internet Intergovernmental Relations Director, Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment, and Interim Co-Directors of the Department of Human Resources. So just because in a moment we're going to have uh our our officials come up and be sworn in all at the same time and all say their names at exactly the same time, which will make it difficult to hear their individual names. Um, I will just clarify that we are approving the mayor's appointments of intergovernmental relations director, Jenna Rourke, uh, director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Cedric Baker, Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment, Marcus Owens, interim co-directors of the Department of Human Resources, Jason Schmidt and Abby Gedea. Erica Schumacher, New Vang, and Nick Stumolanger. We're really excited uh to do this. We'll we'll take the vote, and then we will welcome you up uh for swearing in. So I will make the motion for approval. Is there any discussion of that motion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye.
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