OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting – June 17, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, June 17, 2026
BodySt Paul, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, June 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:58:32
Transcript — Verbatim
4:38

Call the meeting of the same power City Council to order.

4:40

Roll call, please.

4:41

Yang.

4:42

Here.

4:43

Here, Coleman.

4:44

Johnson, Just.

4:46

Kim.

4:47

Council President Naker.

4:48

Here.

4:50

Seven present, none absent.

4:52

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome.

4:54

Thank you for joining us at our city council meeting.

4:56

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

5:00

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

5:07

One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

5:16

Consent agenda items two.

5:17

Two through 27 are before you for your consideration.

5:20

Is there anything to be taken off of consent?

5:24

Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Yang to approve the balance of the consent agenda.

5:28

All in favor say aye.

5:29

Aye.

5:30

All opposed.

5:30

Seven in favor, none opposed.

5:31

The consent agenda.

5:32

Agenda is adopted.

5:33

Item 28, Resolution 26-997, honoring and recognizing the National Holiday, Juneteenth, 2026 as an annual celebration of black freedom, liberation, and the resilience and resilience in the city of St.

5:46

Paul.

5:47

This is a really special occasion.

5:49

We are honored to be passing this resolution, and I think also hearing a proclamation from the mayor.

5:53

So I will look to Miss Johnson.

5:55

Thank you.

6:00

A proclamation from the mayor.

6:02

Super exciting.

6:04

And we'll also have a resolution in front of us.

6:06

There's a couple of folks that I want to welcome up at this time.

6:09

So Assistant Mayor Baker, but also our lovely winners from the Mr.

6:16

and Mrs.

6:16

Miss Juneteenth pageant, as well as we also have Vanessa Weir from the uh 30,000 feet as well.

6:24

So we'll go through and um kind of go through an order from them, but at this time all of you guys can come up.

6:30

Um a couple things happening uh today.

6:34

Just we are taking a chance to recognize a national holiday.

6:37

June thing, Juneteenth, 2026, while not only also my birthday, is an incredible uh celebration where we have an opportunity to talk about black freedom, liberation, and resilience in the city of St.

6:50

Paul.

6:50

30,000 feet, Vanessa Young, um, Angel Jones from the Miss Juneteenth pageant, the proclamation that is signed that is signed today by the mayor's office and presented by our uh wonderful mayor, uh Mayor Herr and our assistant mayor Cedric Baker, um, the first African-American assistant mayor here in the city, is important because it's really going to highlight the fact that Juneteenth is a celebration and it's also a call to action.

7:16

It's a day to honor the resilience, the contributions, and the liberations of black Americans while reflecting on the unfinished work of building of our community, freedom, opportunity, and belonging in a truly accessible and necessity here in the city.

7:32

As we gather across St.

7:33

Paul for celebrations, cultural events, um, and taking time to spend with our families.

7:39

I really want to take this moment to encourage my colleagues and everyone in our meetings as well as the millions of viewers watching at home, that it's important to take time to learn about the history and the significance of Juneteenth and the generations that um of struggle, courage, and perseverance that has brought us to this moment.

7:56

We wouldn't have a federal holiday if it wasn't for the literal uh centuries long time of when at one point in our country, not everybody was free.

8:07

And so our collective freedom is deeply connected.

8:10

And when we invest in our children, when we strengthen our neighborhoods, when we remove barriers to opportunity and ensure every member of our community can thrive, we move closer to the promise for freedom for all.

8:21

Juneteenth reminds us that liberation is not only about looking back as how far we've come, but about committing ourselves to the work that still lies ahead.

8:29

Together through learning, understanding, and action, we can continue to build a St.

8:33

Paul where every person is valued, where every voice matters, and every neighborhood has the opportunity to flourish.

8:40

So with this time, I'm just gonna take a couple of minutes um to share with you all.

8:43

I have Angel Jones here as well as Vanessa Young.

8:46

We took the opportunity, as you all know.

8:48

Every Juneteenth resolution, we've taken the chance to highlight um black engines and black ecosystems, black businesses, black organizations, because Juneteenth isn't just uh a resolution to celebrate a fact that we have a national holiday, but we really truly have change builders right here in our community.

9:05

Um, so I'll start with uh with uh Angel from Miss Juneteenth and Mr.

9:09

Juneteenth as well, and I also have Vanessa Young here from 30,000 feet.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Procedural███████████████████████24%
Youth Programs█████████10%
Racial Equity████████9%
Economic Development██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Community Engagement██2%
Public Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting – June 17, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 3:31 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a regular business session and a special meeting honoring Black Music Month. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 2 through 27 were approved as a block without discussion. These included: a driveway easement agreement with Rail Transfer, Inc.; agreements with MnDOT for Trunk Highway 5 and Grand/Snelling Intersection projects; approval of securing/boarding assessments for multiple months; grant applications for street sweeping, bridge replacement, solar installation, and fire department grants (AFG $2,000,000, SAFER $8,449,689.78, prevention $600,000); license changes for tobacco, liquor, and entertainment; zoning text amendments for Highland National Golf Course; ARP budget reclassification; asset disposal agreements; and a pay rate classification.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John Dreeland (homeowner since 1976, Ward 7) testified on Item 30 (sanitary sewer repair assessment). He stated that a city-planted tree over his sewer line caused roots to grow into it, costing $10,000 to repair. He expressed that the city should use technology to avoid planting trees on sewer lines and noted that the offered low-interest loan at 6% is not truly low. He asked for policy changes rather than relief on his assessment. Council President Noecker acknowledged his concern and linked it to an upcoming tree planting ordinance; Councilmember Johnson offered to follow up.

Discussion Items

  • Juneteenth 2026 Resolution (RES 26-997) – Councilmember Johnson presented the resolution honoring Juneteenth as an annual celebration of Black freedom, liberation, and resilience. Speakers included Vanessa Young (co-founder, 30,000 Feet), Angel Jones (founder, Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant), and Assistant Mayor Cedric Baker, who read a proclamation from the mayor declaring June 17, 2026 as Miss Juneteenth State Pageant Day. Councilmembers Bowie and Yang spoke in support. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Suspension Items – Two items were considered under suspension of rules:
    • RES 26-1014: Approved use of Neighborhood Star Grant funds for Cook St. Paul LLC, allowing the owner to begin construction before an international trip. (7-0)
    • RES 26-1005: Commemorated the 30th Annual Community Peace Celebration and declared a Day of Peace and Unity, with the event scheduled for June 20, 2026 at People’s Park. (7-0)
  • Ordinance 26-28 (Final Adoption) – Rezoning of 213 Bates Avenue from H2 Residential to T1 Traditional Neighborhood. Approved unanimously after two prior readings.
  • Public Hearings – Items 30-34 were each opened for public testimony; only Item 30 received testimony (see above). All were closed and approved unanimously:
    • 30: Ratifying sanitary sewer repair assessment.
    • 31: Subdivision for Highland Bridge at 2200 Ford Parkway.
    • 32: Final plat for Highland Bridge Rowhomes 8th Addition.
    • 33: Sound level variance for Minnesota Country Club event (July 10-11).
    • 34: Sound level variance for Minnesota Yacht Club event (July 17-19).
  • Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda – Items 35-57 were considered. Two items were amended:
    • Item 53 (RLH AR 26-37): 865 Dealton Street referred to legislative hearing on July 21, 2026.
    • Item 55 (RLH AR 26-39): 860 Rose Avenue East referred to legislative hearing on July 21, 2026. The remaining legislative hearing items were adopted as amended by the legislative hearing officer.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions and ordinances were adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • Two properties (865 Dealton Street and 860 Rose Avenue East) were removed from assessment rolls for further legislative hearing.
  • Councilmember Johnson announced upcoming budget engagement events: June 22 at Sunray Library (Ward 7), June 26 at Arlington Hills Community Center (Ward 6), and July 1 at Neighborhood House (Ward 2), all 4:00-5:30 PM.

Special Meeting: Black Music Month 2026

Immediately after the regular meeting, the Council convened a special meeting to recognize June as Black Music Month and honor seven awardees. Councilmember Bowie led the proceedings. A video from the Get Down program (St. Paul Parks and Recreation) was shown, featuring youth mentorship in hip hop. The following awards were presented:

  • Next Verse Award (emerging youth artist): Yevrah Brantley
  • Vibe Alchemist Award (musician/producer/DJ): DJ Mickey Breeze
  • Stage Builder Award (curator/venue/promoter): Trinity King (Marina King)
  • Community Harmony Award (using music to heal): Georgia Ford and Power 104.7 FM
  • 651 Sound Award (artist representing St. Paul): Alan Kingdom
  • Rhythm and Roots Award (educator/culture keeper): Elder Mahmoud El Kati (accepted by Sister Riquette)
  • Living Legacy Award (lifetime contributions): David T.C. Ellis (founder, High School for Recording Arts; accepted by Mama Shy) Each honoree or representative spoke. The resolution recognizing Black Music Month and the honorees was adopted unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting of the same power City Council to order. Roll call, please. Yang. Here. Here, Coleman. Johnson, Just. Kim. Council President Naker. Here. Seven present, none absent. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome. Thank you for joining us at our city council meeting. 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 for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Consent agenda items two. Two through 27 are before you for your consideration. Is there anything to be taken 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. Agenda is adopted. Item 28, Resolution 26-997, honoring and recognizing the National Holiday, Juneteenth, 2026 as an annual celebration of black freedom, liberation, and the resilience and resilience in the city of St. Paul. This is a really special occasion. We are honored to be passing this resolution, and I think also hearing a proclamation from the mayor. So I will look to Miss Johnson. Thank you. A proclamation from the mayor. Super exciting. And we'll also have a resolution in front of us. There's a couple of folks that I want to welcome up at this time. So Assistant Mayor Baker, but also our lovely winners from the Mr. and Mrs. Miss Juneteenth pageant, as well as we also have Vanessa Weir from the uh 30,000 feet as well. So we'll go through and um kind of go through an order from them, but at this time all of you guys can come up. Um a couple things happening uh today. Just we are taking a chance to recognize a national holiday. June thing, Juneteenth, 2026, while not only also my birthday, is an incredible uh celebration where we have an opportunity to talk about black freedom, liberation, and resilience in the city of St. Paul. 30,000 feet, Vanessa Young, um, Angel Jones from the Miss Juneteenth pageant, the proclamation that is signed that is signed today by the mayor's office and presented by our uh wonderful mayor, uh Mayor Herr and our assistant mayor Cedric Baker, um, the first African-American assistant mayor here in the city, is important because it's really going to highlight the fact that Juneteenth is a celebration and it's also a call to action. It's a day to honor the resilience, the contributions, and the liberations of black Americans while reflecting on the unfinished work of building of our community, freedom, opportunity, and belonging in a truly accessible and necessity here in the city. As we gather across St. Paul for celebrations, cultural events, um, and taking time to spend with our families. I really want to take this moment to encourage my colleagues and everyone in our meetings as well as the millions of viewers watching at home, that it's important to take time to learn about the history and the significance of Juneteenth and the generations that um of struggle, courage, and perseverance that has brought us to this moment. We wouldn't have a federal holiday if it wasn't for the literal uh centuries long time of when at one point in our country, not everybody was free. And so our collective freedom is deeply connected.

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