OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

St. Paul City Council Meeting – February 11, 2026: Legislative Agenda, Immigration Actions, and Policy Debates

City Council — Wednesday, February 11, 2026
BodySt Paul, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:05:32

Transcript — Verbatim
1:15

Call the meeting of the St.

1:16

Paul City Council to order.

1:17

Roll call, please.

1:18

Coleman.

1:19

Here.

1:19

Johnson.

1:20

Joast.

1:21

Here.

1:21

Kim.

1:22

Here.

1:22

Yang.

1:23

Here.

1:24

Bowie.

1:24

Here.

1:25

Council President Naker.

1:26

Here.

1:26

Six present one absent, that being Councilmember Johnson, and she is excused.

1:30

Want to take a moment to welcome everyone to our city council meeting today.

1:33

Thank you all so much for coming.

1:34

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

1:40

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:44

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:53

Consent agenda items four through 14 are before you for your consideration.

1:57

And my understanding is that item 14 is being pulled for separate consideration.

2:01

Is there anything else to be taken off of consent?

2:04

Not seeing anything, I'll take a motion from Vice President Kim for the balance of the consent agenda.

2:08

All in favor say aye.

2:09

Aye.

2:10

All opposed.

2:10

Six in favor, none opposed, the resolution or the consent agenda is adopted as amended.

2:16

Item number 14 is resolution 26-215, defending the U.S.

2:20

Constitution and the rule of law.

2:23

Councilmember Yang.

2:24

Thank you, Council President.

2:26

I'm going to move to the podium.

2:37

Hi, everybody.

2:45

Along with members of Common Common Cause Minnesota and Indivisible Twin Cities.

2:49

So come on up and join me here.

5:00

Paul City Council acknowledges the unconstitutional consolidation of power in the executive branch by executive orders and willful misdeeds such as, but not limited to the revocation of birthright citizenship, freezing of federal spending approved by Congress, rescission of appropriated funds, shattering of federal agencies, demonstrating a pattern of usurping the duties of the legislative branch, violating due process rights of the persons of the United States, interfering with and threatening free enterprise and academic freedom, infringing upon and revoking civil service protections for federal employees, threatening individuals with deportation, investigation andor prosecution based on political views, detaining individuals based on racial or ethnic criteria alone, ignoring or disobeying judicial mandates, politicizing law enforcement and the military, and violating the Possi Comitatis Act, imposing import taxes, and engaging in trade agreements without congressional authorization, apprehending members of the press, and generally exhibiting contempt for the separation of powers, freedom of speech, and equal justice under the law, and whereas the Minnesota Attorney General's office has filed multiple lawsuits against specific executive orders and other abuses of power, and whereas each member of the St.

5:58

Paul City Council swears on an oath to the U.S.

6:01

Constitution and thus has a duty to support, protect, and defend the U.S.

6:05

Constitution and the rights of residents within their jurisdiction that are being harmed by violations of the U.S.

6:10

Constitution, therefore, be it resolved that we, the St.

6:14

Paul City Council, declare our support for the role of the United States Congress as a co-equal partner of three in our constitutional federal republic, support and encourage the congressional delegation of Minnesota to lead our colleagues to stand up and reclaim their constitutional duty to be an equal partner in the administration of the U.S.

6:32

government to work hand in hand with the judicial branch to ensure that the U.S.

6:35

Constitution is not violated by the executive branch and to ensure that illegal or unconstitutional actions that have occurred are overturned, and also that we direct that this resolution be forwarded to the office of each member of the Minnesota congressional delegation, and that will be something that my office takes care of.

6:52

And so with that, I would like to hand over the mic to Gary and Rebecca.

6:57

Welcome up.

7:00

Thank you.

7:02

Council President Naker, Vice President Kim, Council members.

7:07

My name is Gary Feifield.

7:09

I'm a constituent of Ward 3.

7:12

I want to thank Council members Yang and Johnson for authoring this important resolution.

7:18

The second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence states, quote, governments are instituted among men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed.

7:29

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.

7:39

We have no desire to abolish our government, but we surely wish to alter its behavior.

7:45

The declaration goes on to list abuses and usurpations, including keeping among us in times of peace, standing armies, protecting them from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states, cutting off our trade with all parts of the world, imposing taxes on us without our consent, exciting domestic insurrections amongst us.

8:15

These abuses and others mirror those in the resolution before you.

9:10

Thank you.

9:11

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████23%
Immigration Policy█████████████████████21%
Procedural████████████12%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
LGBTQ Rights██████6%
Legislative Advocacy█████5%
Land Use Regulation█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

St. Paul City Council Meeting – February 11, 2026

The St. Paul City Council met on February 11, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 6:35 PM, with six members present and Councilmember Johnson excused. The meeting covered a broad range of items including adoption of the 2026 legislative agenda, a resolution denouncing attacks on gender-affirming care, a resolution urging hotels not to house federal immigration agents, final adoption of an ordinance requiring law enforcement to display identification, public hearings on a mask ordinance and a zoning appeal, and a public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations. Several items were laid over for further discussion.

Consent Calendar

  • Received and filed communications regarding a nuisance property at 299 Sherburne Avenue, acceptance of $35,000,000 in Minnesota Public Finance Authority funding for lead service replacement, and budget amendments for the Planning and Economic Development Department.
  • Adopted resolutions 4–13 (consent agenda) including approving costs for securing/emergency boarding services (August–December 2025), demolition services, an agreement with MnDOT for the I35E bridge project, revocation of liquor licenses for Born’s Dutch Bar, change of ownership for liquor licenses for Vina Vietnamese Restaurant and La Oficina Bar, and reimbursement for the 2026 Ward 7 Let’s Talk event series.
  • Adopted the legislative hearing consent agenda (items 29–38) with amendments, including ratifying appealed tax assessments and approving an appeal of a fire inspection report.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing on Grievances about Federal Immigration Operations (Item 28): Multiple speakers expressed urgent concerns about ICE operations, citing a high-speed chase and crash that morning at Selby and Western. Speakers demanded immediate action including safe zones for schools, hospitals, and child care centers; emergency rental assistance (citing Minneapolis as a model); de-escalation training for police; and stronger enforcement of separation ordinances. Many criticized the city’s response as insufficient and urged more tangible relief. Several speakers also condemned the hate speech directed at Councilmember Bowie during the meeting.
  • Public Hearing on Ordinance 26-7 (Mask Ordinance): Speakers supported the ordinance but urged closing loopholes, particularly the SWAT exemption. One speaker recounted a traumatic SWAT operation in 2025 and called for stronger accountability. Another speaker opposed the ordinance, arguing that law enforcement should wear masks for protection.
  • Public Hearing on Ordinance 26-8 (Contract Execution): No public testimony.
  • Public Hearing on Zoning Appeal (ABZA 26-1): The appellant (Minnesota Department of Administration) argued for a 10-foot security fence around the BCA facility, citing security needs. No public testimony in opposition was given at the hearing.
  • Public Hearing on Festivals and Events Security Credit (Item 17): No live testimony; written comments were submitted (noted in agenda).

Discussion Items

  • RES 25-1914 – 2026 Legislative Agenda: Adopted after a staff presentation. The agenda includes priorities such as funding for the Mississippi River Learning Center ($10M), Como Zoo big cat exhibit renovation ($20M), Randolph Avenue Bridge reconstruction ($3.5M), and Saints Ballpark upgrades ($8M). Additions include support for mitigation funds for businesses impacted by transportation projects and study of land value tax.
  • RES 26-58 – Amending City Council Committees: Adopted as amended (version two). The changes restructure committees, separating operations from policy, and update language to reflect current practices.
  • RES PH 26-37 – Festivals and Events Security Credit: Extensively debated. Councilmember Bowie introduced a version three that would place the $155,000 allocation in the Planning and Economic Development (PED) department instead of the police department. Councilmembers expressed concerns about administrative feasibility, staffing, and the need for a clear plan. The item was laid over to February 25, 2026, for further development.
  • RES 26-267 – Denouncing Attacks on Gender-Affirming Care for Youth: Adopted unanimously. Councilmember Kim read the resolution, citing the Trump administration’s executive order and the impact on Children’s Minnesota. Speakers from OutFront Minnesota and Gender Justice testified in support, emphasizing that gender-affirming care is evidence-based and life-saving. Councilmembers expressed strong support, affirming that trans youth are loved and welcome in St. Paul.
  • RES 26-296 – Urging Hotels Not to House Federal Immigration Agents (Suspension Item): Adopted unanimously. Councilmembers Yang and Kim introduced the resolution, citing reports of ICE agents staying in hotels and causing safety concerns. Speakers from Sunrise Movement described protests and community fear. Councilmembers emphasized the need to stand with immigrant communities and called on hotels to refuse service to ICE.
  • Ord 26-6 – Requiring Law Enforcement to Display Identification (Final Adoption): Adopted unanimously. The ordinance requires officers to visibly display agency, badge number, or name on the outermost layer of their uniform. Councilmembers highlighted accountability and transparency, referencing legal precedent from California.
  • Ord 26-7 – Requiring Law Enforcement to Conduct Operations Without Masks (Public Hearing): The public hearing was held, and a version two amendment was approved. The ordinance was amended and laid over to February 18, 2026, for final adoption.
  • Ord 26-8 – Authorizing Assistants to the Mayor to Execute Contracts (Public Hearing): Public hearing closed and laid over to February 18, 2026.
  • ABZA 26-1 – Appeal of BZA Denial of Zoning Variance for Fence (Public Hearing): The public hearing was closed and the item laid over to February 18, 2026, for further discussion. Staff presented the details of the request for a 10-foot security fence around the BCA facility; the appellant presented security needs and renderings.
  • Public Hearing PH 26-4 – Grievances about Federal Immigration Operations: The public hearing was continued to February 18, 2026, after extensive testimony. Councilmembers acknowledged the urgency and pledged to consider actions such as emergency rental assistance and safe zones.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted: Consent agenda (items 4–13), RES 25-1914 (legislative agenda), RES 26-58 (committee amendments), RES 26-267 (denouncing attacks on gender-affirming care), RES 26-296 (urging hotels not to house ICE), Ord 26-6 (officer ID requirement), RES PH 26-41 (grant acceptance for forestry), RES PH 26-26, 26-32, 26-36 (sound level variances for St. Patrick’s Day events), and legislative hearing consent agenda (items 29–38) as amended.
  • Laid Over: RES PH 26-37 (festivals security credit) to February 25, 2026; Ord 26-8 (contract execution) to February 18, 2026; Ord 26-7 (mask ordinance) to February 18, 2026; ABZA 26-1 (zoning fence appeal) to February 18, 2026; PH 26-4 (immigration grievances) to February 18, 2026.
  • Withdrawn: RES PH 26-47 (duplicate of JR Mac’s sound variance).
  • Amendments Approved: Version two of RES 26-58; version two of Ord 26-7; amendments to legislative hearing consent items (assessment deletions, reductions, etc.).
  • Votes: All adopted items passed with 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent (Councilmember Johnson). The mask ordinance amendment vote was 5 yeas, 0 nays, with 2 absent (Kim and Johnson).
  • Next Steps: The council will continue to work on the festivals security credit, finalize the mask ordinance, and address the zoning appeal and immigration grievances at the February 18, 2026 meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting of the St. Paul City Council to order. Roll call, please. Coleman. Here. Johnson. Joast. Here. Kim. Here. Yang. Here. Bowie. Here. Council President Naker. Here. Six present one absent, that being Councilmember Johnson, and she is excused. Want to take a moment to welcome everyone to our city council meeting today. Thank you all so much for coming. We invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Consent agenda items four through 14 are before you for your consideration. And my understanding is that item 14 is being pulled for separate consideration. Is there anything else to be taken off of consent? Not seeing anything, I'll take a motion from Vice President Kim for the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Six in favor, none opposed, the resolution or the consent agenda is adopted as amended. Item number 14 is resolution 26-215, defending the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. Councilmember Yang. Thank you, Council President. I'm going to move to the podium. Hi, everybody. Along with members of Common Common Cause Minnesota and Indivisible Twin Cities. So come on up and join me here. Paul City Council acknowledges the unconstitutional consolidation of power in the executive branch by executive orders and willful misdeeds such as, but not limited to the revocation of birthright citizenship, freezing of federal spending approved by Congress, rescission of appropriated funds, shattering of federal agencies, demonstrating a pattern of usurping the duties of the legislative branch, violating due process rights of the persons of the United States, interfering with and threatening free enterprise and academic freedom, infringing upon and revoking civil service protections for federal employees, threatening individuals with deportation, investigation andor prosecution based on political views, detaining individuals based on racial or ethnic criteria alone, ignoring or disobeying judicial mandates, politicizing law enforcement and the military, and violating the Possi Comitatis Act, imposing import taxes, and engaging in trade agreements without congressional authorization, apprehending members of the press, and generally exhibiting contempt for the separation of powers, freedom of speech, and equal justice under the law, and whereas the Minnesota Attorney General's office has filed multiple lawsuits against specific executive orders and other abuses of power, and whereas each member of the St. Paul City Council swears on an oath to the U.S. Constitution and thus has a duty to support, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution and the rights of residents within their jurisdiction that are being harmed by violations of the U.S. Constitution, therefore, be it resolved that we, the St. Paul City Council, declare our support for the role of the United States Congress as a co-equal partner of three in our constitutional federal republic, support and encourage the congressional delegation of Minnesota to lead our colleagues to stand up and reclaim their constitutional duty to be an equal partner in the administration of the U.S. government to work hand in hand with the judicial branch to ensure that the U.S. Constitution is not violated by the executive branch and to ensure that illegal or unconstitutional actions that have occurred are overturned, and also that we direct that this resolution be forwarded to the office of each member of the Minnesota congressional delegation, and that will be something that my office takes care of. And so with that, I would like to hand over the mic to Gary and Rebecca. Welcome up. Thank you. Council President Naker, Vice President Kim, Council members.

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