Saint Paul City Council Meeting - April 15, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 3:32 PM in the Council Chambers. All seven councilmembers were present for the majority of the meeting, with Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson absent for the early portion but present for later votes. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 PM. The agenda included a consent agenda, a suspension item honoring Dolores Huerta, final adoption of three ordinances, a continued public hearing on an immigration ordinance, and several public hearings and legislative hearing items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2–29 were adopted en bloc with a 6-0 vote (Johnson absent), including approvals for securing/emergency boarding assessments, demolition assessments, a contamination cleanup grant application for the Balsam II project, a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 3757 (laid over to April 22), acceptance of Red Cross smoke alarm donations (valued at $16,962), denial of a zoning variance appeal for a 10-foot fence, a $20,916.36 claim settlement, a joint powers agreement with Falcon Heights for Safe Routes to School, a liquor license transfer for Kitty's Corner 2, an amended Familiar Faces program joint powers agreement, the Commercial Corridor Program Guidelines, appointments to the Neighborhood Safety Community Council, renaming of Osborn Plaza to Wabasha Park, grant applications for the Fire and Police Departments, a council retreat food purchase, the 2026-27 Consolidated Plan, delinquent garbage and yard waste bills assessments, and designation of a data practices compliance official.
• Item 13 (RES 26-534) – Initiating a Business Sign Zoning Code Study was pulled from consent for separate discussion and adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dolores Huerta Day Recognition (RES 26-617): Norma Garces and Katie Avina, co-directors of Academias La Paz, spoke in strong support, stating that recognizing April 10 as Dolores Huerta Day in Saint Paul "is a declaration of who we are today" and urged passage. Councilmembers Kim, Bowie, and Yang also expressed support, highlighting Huerta's labor and civil rights legacy and her courage in speaking about sexual assault.
• Emergency Boarding Assessment at 665 Fry Street (RLH TA 26-44): Property owner James Murniky testified against the approximately $500 assessment, stating the boarding occurred without his knowledge or consent during a SWAT raid and that he could have done it himself for less. He argued the assessment was unjust.
• Emergency Boarding Assessment at 622 Prior Avenue North (RLH TA 26-40): Property owner Nathan Arvald testified against the assessment, stating a SWAT raid damaged his property (including gates and fences), the boarding was inadequate (only metal brackets with screws), and he was not notified. He argued the city should bear the cost.

Discussion Items

• Business Sign Zoning Code Study (RES 26-534): Council President Noecker introduced the item as a follow-up to a policy committee meeting, aiming to simplify sign regulations for businesses citywide. The study will return with recommendations later in 2026.
• Dolores Huerta Day (RES 26-617): Councilmember Kim presented the resolution honoring Dolores Huerta on her birthday (April 10) and recognizing April 10, 2026, as Dolores Huerta Day in Saint Paul. The resolution highlighted her co-founding of the United Farm Workers and her advocacy for labor rights. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
• Fire Chief Minimum Qualifications (Ord 26-17): Councilmember Coleman led final adoption. The ordinance establishes minimum qualifications for the Fire Chief position. Councilmember Bowie noted that the selection process will include a community committee that makes a recommendation to the mayor, with council approval. Adopted 7-0.
• Immigration Ordinance (Ord 26-19): A motion to reopen the public hearing was adopted 7-0. The public hearing was continued to April 22, 2026, to allow time for public review of a memo from the city attorney's office. One member of the public, Jean Comstock from Unidos, testified in support, urging passage.
• Rental Application Fees (Ord 26-20): Councilmember Johnson moved final adoption, noting it is a technical update to prepare for the Tenant Protections Ordinance effective May 14. Adopted 7-0.
• Department of Safety and Inspections Code Update (Ord 26-21): Councilmember Johnson moved adoption, updating Chapter 13 to align with tenant protections. Councilmember Kim praised Johnson's leadership. Adopted 7-0.
• Breakaway Minnesota 2026 Sound Variance (RES PH 26-84): Jared Fucci, president of Breakaway Music Festival, testified that the 2025 event saw over 25,000 attendees incident-free and zero complaints routed through the city. He noted improved community outreach and planned sound mitigation. Councilmember Bowie expressed support but noted constituent concerns; she highlighted the event organizers' proactive partnership and use of new complaint systems. The resolution was adopted 7-0.
• Emergency Boarding Assessments – Policy Discussion: During the two separate assessment hearings (665 Fry St and 622 Prior Ave), councilmembers discussed the process for emergency boardings following SWAT raids. Councilmember Coleman noted that while the current law was applied correctly, the testimony raised valid questions about notification and liability. Council President Noecker suggested that property owners could file claims against the city for damages, and that the council might consider policy changes. Both assessments were adopted 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Business Sign Zoning Code Study initiated (RES 26-534).
• Dolores Huerta Day recognized (RES 26-617) – adopted 6-0 (Johnson absent).
• Fire Chief qualifications ordinance (Ord 26-17) adopted 7-0.
• Immigration ordinance (Ord 26-19) public hearing continued to April 22, 2026.
• Rental application fees (Ord 26-20) and DSI code update (Ord 26-21) adopted 7-0.
• Breakaway Minnesota 2026 sound variance (RES PH 26-84) approved.
• ALS SuperHero Dash sound variance (RES PH 26-85) approved.
• Police Department donations ($109,332.41 from St. Paul Police Foundation), FEMA grant ($1,505,142.29), Community Crime Intervention grant, two Metropolitan Livable Communities housing grants (680-694 Minnehaha Ave E and 58 E Wood Street), and General Obligation Judgment Bond (Series 2026A) all approved.
• Emergency boarding assessments for 665 Fry Street and 622 Prior Avenue North adopted 7-0 after public testimony.
• Legislative hearing consent agenda (items 42–114) adopted as amended, with two properties (1093 Breen Street and 1052 Ross Avenue) removed and referred to the April 21, 2026 Legislative Hearing.