St. Paul City Council Meeting – June 10, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 3:30 PM in Council Chambers. Six members were present initially (Councilmember Johnson absent); all seven were present after the HRA recess. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM. Key actions included adopting a resolution honoring the late Speaker Melissa Hortman and her family, approving the Galtier Plaza Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, revoking a tobacco shop license for selling flavored tobacco, and approving multiple public hearings and legislative hearing items.

Consent Calendar

• RES 26-778: Approved the city’s cost for Diseased/Dangerous Tree Removal (Feb–Apr 2026) and set legislative hearing for July 7, 2026, and public hearing for August 19, 2026. (Adopted)
• RES 26-890: Authorized an agreement with MnDOT for a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant for the Evie Carshare network. (Adopted)
• RES 26-899: Accepted $34,941.75 in additional funds for the Crime Victim Services grant program and amended the 2026 Special Fund Budget. (Adopted)
• RES 26-902: Established the pay rate for Production Operations Manager; laid over to June 17, 2026.
• RES 26-907: Authorized a Joint Powers Agreement between Parks and Recreation and Capitol Region Watershed District. (Adopted)
• RES 26-930: Approved change of ownership for gas station and tobacco shop licenses at 374 Lexington Pkwy N. (Adopted)
• RES 26-887: Approved the Memorandum of Agreement with Sprinkler Fitters Local Union No. 417 for 2026 June wage and fringe adjustment. (Adopted)
• RES 26-898: Approved the 2026–2028 Labor Agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 70. (Adopted) Item 7 (RES 26-933) was removed for separate discussion.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – RES 26-933 (Tobacco License Revocation): Councilmember Kim introduced a version 2 to revoke the tobacco shop license for Maryland Supermarket (444 Maryland Ave W) due to a routine inspection finding more than 550 flavored tobacco products, including types not FDA-approved. She stated the business “intentionally disregarded the laws of the city,” providing substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from the presumptive 10-day suspension penalty. The council adopted the resolution as amended (revocation) by a vote of 6–0 (Johnson absent).
• Item 11 – RES 26-946: Honored the life and legacy of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, proclaiming June 14, 2026, as Mark, Melissa and Gilbert Hortman Day in Saint Paul. Councilmember Kim read the resolution, noting the Hortmans were assassinated on June 14, 2025, in a politically motivated attack. Multiple speakers—including Representative Marie Perez Vega, House Majority Leader Zach Stevenson, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, and Mayor Melvin Carter—shared personal memories emphasizing Melissa Hortman’s leadership in passing landmark legislation (reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, gun safety, paid family leave) and her commitment to service. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Item 10 – RES 26-934: Recognized Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Day, and Caribbean American Heritage Month. Presented by Edmundo Leho from the City Attorney’s Office, the resolution noted that one in five St. Paul residents (over 60,000) is foreign-born and over 115 languages are spoken in St. Paul Public Schools. It affirmed the city’s commitment to welcoming immigrants and refugees. Adopted unanimously (7–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 14 – Pride Festival Sound Variance: Cedar Larson (St. Paul resident) spoke but quickly veered off-topic to criticize city tax dollars supporting Israel; the council president redirected her to the subject. No other public testimony was given, and the variance was approved.
• Item 17 – Galtier Plaza TIF District: Three people testified:
  • Rich Neumeister: Opposed, calling it a “blank check for private developers” and urged the council to demand deeply affordable units (below 50% AMI) with long-term controls. He referenced the Amhoist Tower as a cautionary example.
  • Peter Donahue (President of the Airy Homeowners Condominium Association): Supported the TIF district, noting that initial concerns were resolved through negotiations with the developer (Bigos). He stressed the need to activate vacant plaza space.
  • Adam Newman (Bigos Management): Expressed support, stating the project will convert vacant office space into 166 market-rate housing units (29 studios, 82 one-bedrooms, 55 two-bedrooms) with initial rents affordable at 60%–100% AMI (not income-restricted). He emphasized Bigos’ long-term commitment to downtown St. Paul and cooperation with neighbors.
• Item 27 – 2016 Fremont Ave Nuisance Abatement: Mark Puchala, the property owner, testified that he has made significant progress, including removing brush and mowing, and requested more time to complete a native-planting project. Councilmember Johnson supported the hearing officer’s recommendation that the nuisance was not abated, authorizing DSI to act (but noted no action would occur if the yard is now compliant).

Key Outcomes

• RES 26-933 (Tobacco License): Adopted as amended (revocation) by 6–0 vote.
• RES 26-946 (Hortman Day): Adopted unanimously (7–0).
• RES 26-934 (Heritage Months): Adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Ord 26-28 (Rezone 213 Bates Ave): Public hearing closed; laid over to June 17, 2026, for final adoption.
• RES PH 26-97 (Alley Improvement): Approved unanimously. The alley bounded by Hatch, Orchard, Kilburn, and Ryde will be reconstructed from gravel to bituminous pavement at an estimated $350,000 (general funds and assessments), scheduled for fall 2026.
• RES PH 26-133 (Pride Sound Variance): Approved unanimously for June 13–14, 2026, at Dual Citizen (725 Raymond Ave).
• RES PH 26-134 (HMEP Grant): Approved unanimously—$13,000 amendment for Fire Department hazardous materials preparedness.
• RES PH 26-135 (Como Friends Donation): Approved unanimously—$500,000 donation for Como Zoo and Conservatory.
• RES PH 26-138 (Galtier Plaza TIF): Approved unanimously (7–0). The council then recessed and convened as the HRA to also approve the TIF district, plan amendment, development agreement, and project labor agreement.
• RES PH 26-139 (Auto Theft Prevention Grant): Approved unanimously—2027–2029 grant from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
• RES PH 26-140 (Pathways to Policing Grant): Approved unanimously—2026 grant from the Office of Justice Programs.
• Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda (Items 20–31): Adopted as amended. Key amendments:
  • Item 20 (1478 Ames Ave): Nuisance not abated, DSI authorized to abate.
  • Item 21 (1079 Arkwright St): Granted additional 180 days.
  • Items 22 & 23 (233 & 239 Bates Ave): Nuisance not abated, DSI authorized to abate.
  • Item 24 (399 Blair Ave): Referred to June 23, 2026, Legislative Hearing.
  • Item 25 (1474 Danforth St): Vehicle abatement order adopted.
  • Item 26 (2016 Fremont Ave): Condemnation order adopted.
  • Item 27 (2016 Fremont Ave – Nuisance): Adopted with finding that nuisance not abated, DSI authorized to abate.
  • Item 28 (1377 Minnehaha Ave E): Nuisance abated.
  • Items 29 & 30 (767 Robert St S, 1917 Taylor Ave): Vacant building registration appeals adopted.
  • Item 31 (1079 Western Ave N): Nuisance abatement adopted.

Additional Notes

• The council recessed at 4:40 PM to act as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), returning at 4:42 PM. The HRA approved the Galtier TIF district and related documents.
• Councilmember Jost reported storm-related power outages in Highland Park and West 7th, with schools and recreation centers closed; she provided contact information for downed tree issues.
• Councilmember Johnson announced the reopening of the Open Road Fund grant ($500 for Black-identifying individuals) on Juneteenth.