Saint Paul City Council Meeting - June 3, 2026
Saint Paul City Council Meeting - June 3, 2026
The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 3:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent agenda items, a discussion on opting into the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority, a first reading of a rezoning ordinance, and four public hearings for sound level variances and a grant. All votes were 7-0 in favor. The meeting adjourned at 3:51 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Item 2 (RES 26-775): The Council authorized acceptance of a $32,000 donation from the Midway Men's Club to support Recreation Services programming. This item was pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion; Council President Noecker recognized City Attorney Dan Staley as a club member, who described the club's fundraising at the state fair. The resolution was adopted 7-0.
- Items 3-6, 9-12: Adopted as part of the consent agenda, including: a lease amendment with Ramsey County for the Sheriff’s use of City Hall Annex space (RES 26-875); an auto repair garage license change of ownership (RES 26-876); payment of costs for Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation (RES 26-878); acceptance of a gift of travel expenses for a Public Works engineer to attend the ASCE Geo-Institute Summit (RES 26-895); acceptance of a gift for Council Member Kim to attend the Local Progress National Convening (RES 26-912); approval of a staffing-related MOA with Operating Engineers Local 70 (RES 26-840); approval of polling place changes for the August 11, 2026 primary and November 3, 2026 general election (RES 26-904); and a welcoming resolution for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (RES 26-916).
- Items 7 and 8: Laid over to June 10, 2026 for adoption: an MOA with Sprinkler Fitters Local 417 for a June wage and fringe adjustment (RES 26-887) and a labor agreement with Operating Engineers Local 70 for 2026-2028 (RES 26-898).
Discussion Items
- Item 13 (RES 26-886): The Council exercised the City’s authority to opt in and support the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority (EDA). Council President Noecker moved "version two" which was adopted as amended 7-0. No public testimony was noted.
Ordinances – First Reading
- Ord 26-28: A rezoning application by AuMer Development Group to change the zoning of 213 Bates Avenue from H2 Residential to T1 Traditional Neighborhood. Staff Planner Stefan Duarte Breen presented the findings, noting consistency with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The District 4 Planning Council did not submit a recommendation; two letters of support and none in opposition were received; the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval. The item was laid over to June 10, 2026 for a second reading and public hearing.
Public Hearings
- Item 15 (RES PH 26-125): A grant of $146,301.16 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to support tree planting at Como Zoo. No public testimony. Adopted 7-0.
- Item 16 (RES PH 26-124): A sound level variance for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on June 19 and 20, 2026 at Mears Park. No public testimony. Adopted 7-0.
- Item 17 (RES PH 26-127): A sound level variance for the Hmong International Freedom Festival on June 26-28, 2026 at Como Regional Park. Kanong, Executive Director of The United Hmong Family, Inc., testified in support, requesting a 120 dBA variance for public safety announcements to reach across the field. Council Member Coleman and Vice President Yang expressed strong support, noting the event’s community and economic benefits. Adopted 7-0.
- Item 18 (RES PH 26-131): A sound level variance for the Great Lawn Concert Series at Allianz Field on June 13 and August 15, 2026. No public testimony. Adopted 7-0.
Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda
- Item 22 (RLH SAO 26-46): Appeal of Gary Grimes to a Vehicle Abatement Order at 314 Wyoming Street East. The legislative hearing officer requested an extension of five weeks for compliance, changing the date to July 10, 2026. The Council granted the extension. Adopted as amended 7-0.
- Items 19-21, 23-24: Adopted as amended per the legislative hearing officer’s recommendations. This included: continued nuisance abatement hearings for 1478 Ames Avenue and 233 Bates Avenue (both continued to June 10, 2026); deletion of a special tax assessment for 2014 Third Street East; and ratification of assessments for clean-up services (September-November 2025) and sidewalk snow/ice removal (January 2026).
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All votes passed 7-0.
- Referrals: Items 7, 8, 14, 19, and 20 were laid over to June 10, 2026.
- Grant extension: Vehicle abatement compliance for 314 Wyoming Street East extended by five weeks to July 10, 2026.
- Donations accepted: $32,000 from Midway Men’s Club and a $1,000 travel reimbursement gift for Public Works engineer Chris DeDene.
- Funding approved: $146,301.16 DNR grant for Como Zoo tree planting.
Meeting Transcript
Thank all city council to order. Roll call, please. Yang. Here. Bowie. Here. Coleman. Here. Johnson. Here. Joast. Kim. And Council President Naker. Here. Seven present and unabsent. Welcome everyone to our city council meeting. Thanks for joining us. 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, one nation under God, indivisible. Liberty and Justice for all. Consent agenda. Items two through twelve are before you for your consideration. I know we are going to poll number two for separate consideration. Is there anything else to come off of consent? Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Yang to approve the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Seven in favor, none opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as amended. Item two, resolution 26-775, authorizing the city on behalf of the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department to accept a donation in the amount of $32,000 from the Midway Men's Club to support recreation services programming. So I wanted to pull this item off consent, not only because we are very grateful to the Midway Men's Club for this generous donation, but also because we happen to have in our midst a member of the Midway Men's Club, our city attorney Dan Staley, and so we wanted to give him an opportunity to speak a little bit to the club and this generous donation. Welcome. We own a stand at the state fair where we raise our money that goes uh all the proceeds go to you. City of St. Paul. So it's a great place to go and uh during the state fair to uh have a beer. We serve sliders that are pretty popular too. Uh it's the cheapest place you can buy beer at the state fair. Uh I think we were grandfathered in, and we'll always kind of have that uh I guess better fit because uh all of our proceeds go to charity. Um you can get more information at midway men's club.com. Uh become a member. I think pretty soon they'll be looking for volunteers. You don't have to be a member to volunteer, so anyone can show up to volunteer uh sign up in advance. And it's located uh near Dan Patch and Underwood, uh behind the Hamlin Dining Hall at the state fair. Uh so uh we enjoy the the donations and uh just that's a worthwhile organization, so if anybody wants to look into it, I recommend that. Thank you. Thanks so much, Mr.
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