Saint Paul City Council Meeting - June 24, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 3:31 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. Council President Rebecca Noecker presided, with six members present (Noecker, Yang, Kim, Jost, Johnson, Coleman) and Councilmember Anika Bowie absent. The meeting adjourned at 4:36 PM. The council adopted a consent agenda (with one item removed for separate consideration), passed several resolutions honoring community members and events, and received a staff report on a proposed tree preservation ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–12: Approved as a consent agenda, including:
  • RES 26-724: Assessments for emergency sewer repairs (April 2026).
  • RES 26-865: Budget amendment for a fleet technician ($120,677).
  • RES 26-894: Lease agreement with Board of Water Commissioners for police communications equipment at Highland Water Tower.
  • RES 26-966: Hardship declaration for vacation of right-of-way at 779 Lexington Parkway South.
  • RES 26-969: GIS Supervisor pay rate – laid over to July 8, 2026.
  • RES 26-973: Acceptance of $50,000 MPCA grant (with $25,000 city match) for energy efficiency upgrades.
  • RES 26-991: License extension for Dilla Sport Bar and Restaurant at 1625 University Ave W.
  • RES 26-1027: Grant funds for PRP Works Inc. signage renewal (Ward 6 Neighborhood Star program).
  • Item 11 (RES 26-1011) was pulled for separate amendment; adopted as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public testified on any of the three public hearing items (17–19) or on the legislative hearing consent item (20).
• After the legislative hearing, a speaker (affiliated with the Capital Region Watershed District) gave an unprompted presentation on the Adopt-a-Drain program, noting that 15,000 people participate and 800,000 pounds of debris have been removed from Minnesota waterways. The council president acknowledged the comments but no formal action was taken.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – RES 26-1028 (Honoring Lt. Col. Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang): Councilmember Yang presented the resolution honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Vang, a dentist, Air National Guard veteran, and community leader who passed away on April 15, 2026. Family members attended, and Dr. Vang’s son Pete spoke, inviting the public to the funeral July 11–13, 2026, at Aldrich Arena. The resolution proclaimed those dates as Memorial Days in Saint Paul. Adopted 6-0.
• Item 14 – RES 26-1010 (Dalai Lama’s 91st Birthday and Tibetan Community): Councilmember Jost introduced the resolution designating July 6, 2026 as “Day of Compassion.” Representatives from the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group and the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota spoke about the local Tibetan community (5,000 in Minnesota) and the Dalai Lama’s teachings. Councilmember Kim highlighted ties to other struggles. Adopted 6-0.
• Item 15 – RES 26-1022 (LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Month): Councilmember Kim read the resolution recognizing June 2026 as Pride Month, citing historical and current challenges. Kat Rohn (Executive Director, Outfront Minnesota) and Megan Peterson (Executive Director, Gender Justice) testified, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy and noting the recent murder of a community member, Gabrielle Arezola Perez. The resolution encourages city departments to strengthen engagement and ensure inclusive facilities. Adopted 6-0.
• Item 16 – Ordinance 25-4 (Tree Preservation for City-Sponsored Construction Projects): This was the first reading (with a staff report presented as if essentially new after 18 months of revisions). Parks Director Andy Rodriguez, Operations Manager Tom Hagel, and Public Works Operations Manager Sean Kershaw outlined the ordinance’s purpose: to protect trees during city construction, requiring tree inventories, certified arborists, formal preservation plans, protection zones, and restitution for damage. Four standard operating procedures were described. Councilmembers Johnson and Jost raised questions about costs and feasibility (e.g., single urban forester currently, cost absorption by projects). Council President Noecker noted that an annual review is built in, and the ordinance would return for a public hearing on July 8, 2026. Laid over.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Adopted as amended (6-0). Item 11 (Opportunity Zones resolution) amended and adopted.
• RES 26-1028 (Vang Memorial Days): Adopted 6-0. Proclaimed July 11–13, 2026 as Memorial Days.
• RES 26-1010 (Dalai Lama / Day of Compassion): Adopted 6-0. Designated July 6, 2026 as Day of Compassion.
• RES 26-1022 (Pride Month): Adopted 6-0. Recognized June 2026 as Pride Month; encourages city departments to enhance engagement with LGBTQIA2S+ residents.
• RES PH 26-141 (District Energy Sound Variance): Adopted 6-0. Approved sound level variance for boiler testing June 29–July 3 and July 6–10, 2026 (potential extension to July 11–17).
• RES PH 26-142 (Police Grant Fund Amendment): Adopted 6-0. Authorized amendment of financing and spending plans in police grant fund.
• RES PH 26-143 (Rondo Days Sound Variance): Adopted 6-0. Approved amplified sound for Rondo Days Festival on July 18, 2026 at 271 North Mackubin Street.
• RLH RR 26-2 (799 University Ave W): Referred to September 15, 2026 Legislative Hearing (6-0).
• Ordinance 25-4 (Tree Preservation): Laid over to July 8, 2026 for second reading and public hearing. Staff directed to return with further cost analysis and implementation details.
• Communications (CO 26-27, AO 26-34, AO 26-37): Received and filed.