OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting – July 15, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, July 15, 2026
BodySt Paul, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, July 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:05:02

Transcript — Verbatim
3:09

Kim.

3:10

Here.

3:10

Yang.

3:11

Here.

3:11

Council President Naker.

3:12

Here.

3:15

I'm sorry, seven present, none absent.

3:17

Thanks so much to everyone for joining us at our city council meeting today.

3:20

We appreciate you being here, and we invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:46

I know that we are going to be pulling item twenty-one for separate consideration.

3:49

Is there anything else to be taken off of consent?

3:53

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

3:56

All in favor say aye.

3:57

Aye.

3:57

All opposed.

3:58

Six in favor, none opposed.

3:59

The consent agenda is adopted as amended.

4:01

Item twenty-one, resolution twenty-six-one one five zero.

4:05

Recognizing the historic legacy, cultural preservation, and community contributions of the Rondo Days drill teams and dance groups.

4:33

So today is Ronda Day's week.

5:03

And when I think about our city's vitality, it isn't only defined by our budget or by building more buildings, but it's really true or truly rooted in arts and culture in the legacy preservation of what shapes our neighborhoods.

5:18

And for generations, uh all of these drill teams and dance groups have done exactly that.

5:25

They have built belonging for our young people while creating memories that have united our city.

5:30

And I just want to thank each and every one of you and hundreds of people out in community who and also the folks who are watching today, um, helping to cultivate not only the conversations, but truly trusting uh me as their council member to really um cherish and nourish and recognize um this community-driven effort and this community-driven effort to do something very ambitious with bringing all of the drill teams and um dance groups over generations together for this reunion, but also to expand pathways for our collective healing.

6:10

And if you know the story about Ronde, it's more than just uh destruction, it's about the rebuilding, the repairing, and the restoring, and this has been so restorative for all of our communities as we've been honoring and recognizing um many of the efforts of the drill teams, as well as the continuation of building that legacy.

6:32

So uh for all the millions of viewers at home, uh you're invited, even though you're not here, but you're also invited to join us at Rondo Days this Saturday at the MLK Center, where we'll be doing our official ceremony, and all my colleagues are also welcome to join.

6:50

It is now my honor to invite the representatives of each of the legacy Rondo drill teams in dance groups for it.

6:58

I'm going to invite each speaker in the order um of which I uh invite you.

7:04

You're gonna be receiving the resolution, and we just ask um for each of you to have two minutes.

7:10

Um you well prepared, I know everyone's well prepared.

7:13

We've been waiting for this day.

7:14

Uh, but we're gonna invite uh Shash Sha Suler, that's a s or excuse Garland as a second speaker, as well as Elder Lynn Graham and an elder Jean House Foster.

7:28

Welcome.

7:29

All right.

7:32

Good afternoon, everyone.

7:34

Uh my name is Shasu Adeley.

7:37

Um it is an honor to accept this recognition on behalf of uh my beloved grandmother, Miss Lutham O'Wiley.

7:43

In 1972, our grandmother and grandfather, Mr.

7:47

Roscoe S.

7:48

Wiley, moved to St.

7:49

Paul, Minnesota.

7:50

Uh Lou Wiley had a deep love for children and an unwavering belief in their potential.

7:55

She understood that young people thrive when they are given opportunities to express themselves in positive, supportive, and nurturing environments.

8:03

That vision led her to find the Lou Wiley High Steppers in 1980.

8:07

What began as a dance line soon grew into a celebrated performing arts organization that embraced multiple genres of dance and artistic expression.

8:28

Their creativity and artistry helped shape a style that was both distinctive and sophisticated, making the high steppers a source of pride throughout the community.

8:36

Over the next 15 years, the Lou Wiley Highsteppers performed across the state of Minnesota, including an appearance at Super Bowl 26.

8:45

They became known not only for their exceptional performances, but also for their stylish costumes inspired by the rich traditions and historically black colleges and universities and their renowned dance teams and marching bands.

8:58

Among all of their performances, Rondo Days held a special place in the hearts of the high steppers.

9:03

It was more than an event.

9:05

It was a celebration of community, culture, and connection.

9:08

To be a high stepper meant more than learning choreography.

9:12

It meant standing tall, taking pride in who you are, and striving for excellence.

9:16

It meant showing up, practicing, perfecting your craft, and as our grandmother would say, strutting your stuff.

9:24

Today the legacy of the Lou Wiley High Steppers lives on.

9:27

The spirit, confidence, discipline, and sense of community that Miss Wiley instilled in her students continue to echo far beyond Minnesota.

9:35

Many former high steppers have gone on to become outstanding individuals, leaders, and contributors in their communities, carrying her lessons with them wherever they go.

9:45

We are deeply grateful for this recognition and proudly accept this award on behalf of Miss Lutham O'Wiley, whose vision, dedication, and love touched countless lives and whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

9:57

Thank you.

9:58

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Miscellaneous███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Arts And Culture████████████████16%
Land Use Regulation████████████████16%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Procedural████4%
Youth Programs███3%
Historic Preservation██2%
Public Works██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Saint Paul City Council Meeting – July 15, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 4:36 PM. All seven council members were present (President Noecker, Vice President Yang, and Councilmembers Kim, Bowie, Jost, Johnson, and Coleman). The agenda included consent items, discussion items, ordinance readings, public hearings, and a legislative hearing consent agenda. Key actions included the final adoption of a tree preservation ordinance, a recognition resolution for Rondo Days drill teams, and a decision on a rent stabilization appeal.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was adopted as amended (item 21 removed for separate discussion) by a 6-0 vote (Councilmember Kim absent). Adopted items included 15 resolutions covering assessments, emergency management grants, liquor license revocation, solar agreements, board reappointments, collective bargaining agreements, and Neighborhood STAR grant changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John Burdy (West Side resident) testified during the Xcel Electric and Gas franchise public hearings, stating that the rate schedules in the ordinances needed updating to reflect the contract expiration (August 31, 2026) and noting that Saint Paul's franchise fees are the highest in Minnesota.
  • Lily Eggers (Ward 1 resident) used the public hearing on the Xcel Electric franchise to demand a public hearing on an unspecified "eviction plan," but was directed to speak to the agenda item.
  • Michael Smith (tenant at 1517 Portland Avenue) and Abby Hansen (Housing Justice Center) testified in support of Smith's rent stabilization appeal, citing habitability violations (egress window, fire extinguisher) and improper utility pass-throughs.
  • Robin Doroshow (landlord of 1517 Portland Avenue) opposed the appeal, arguing the rent increase was justified by rising costs and that they had made efforts to address issues.
  • OB Smith (Ward 3 resident) during the legislative hearing on the 720 Cottage Avenue tree assessment, spoke generally about the need for a public hearing on the city's eviction plan, and was asked to stay on topic.

Discussion Items

  • Recognition of Rondo Days Drill Teams and Dance Groups (RES 26-1150): Councilmember Bowie introduced the resolution honoring the historic legacy of drill teams and dance groups in the Rondo community. Multiple former participants and leaders (ShaShu Adeley, Garland Jackson, Lynn Graham Washington) gave emotional testimony about the teams' impact on youth and community. The resolution was adopted 7-0.
  • Tree Preservation Ordinance (Ord 25-4): Final adoption after over 16 months of process. Council President Noecker thanked legislative aide Megan Jackett, the Public Input Group (PIG), and multiple stakeholders. The ordinance adds Chapter 92 to Title IV of the Administrative Code, requiring tree preservation planning for city-sponsored construction projects. Adopted 7-0.
  • Golf Course Zoning Amendment (Ord 26-35): First reading. A staff report explained the amendment would allow lighting at Highland Golf Course driving range until 10 PM and legalize existing winter lighting at Como Golf Course. The Planning Commission recommended striking the lighting restriction entirely. The item was laid over to July 22, 2026 for second reading and public hearing.
  • Mixed Municipal Solid Waste Contract Approval (Ord 26-36): First reading. Council President Noecker explained the ordinance would require City Council approval of organized trash collection contracts, increasing transparency and oversight. Laid over to July 22, 2026.
  • Rent Stabilization Appeal (RLH RSA 26-7) – Michael Smith, 1517 Portland Avenue Apt D: The hearing officer (Ms. Mormon) recommended granting the appeal, finding the landlord failed to provide adequate housing services (bedroom window could not stay open – emergency egress issue; faulty fire extinguisher) and that utility pass-throughs did not comply with Minnesota law. The tenant and his representative argued for denial of the 17.9% increase, citing habitability. The landlord argued the increase was needed due to rising costs and that they had addressed concerns. Councilmember Bowie moved to adopt the hearing officer's recommendation, which passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda adopted as amended (6-0).
  • RES 26-1150 (Rondo Days recognition) adopted (7-0).
  • Ord 25-4 (Tree Preservation) finally adopted (7-0).
  • Ord 26-35 (Golf course lighting) laid over to July 22, 2026 for second reading.
  • Ord 26-36 (Solid waste contract approval) laid over to July 22, 2026 for second reading.
  • Ord 26-32 (Xcel Electric franchise) public hearing closed, laid over to July 22, 2026 for final adoption.
  • Ord 26-33 (Xcel Gas franchise) public hearing closed, laid over to July 22, 2026 for final adoption.
  • RES PH 26-153 (Irish Fair sound variance) adopted (7-0).
  • RLH RSA 26-7 (rent stabilization appeal) appeal granted, adopting hearing officer recommendation (7-0).
  • RLH TA 26-125 (720 Cottage Ave tree assessment) public hearing closed, laid over to July 22, 2026.
  • RLH RR 26-12 (594-596 Reaney Ave) public hearing continued to August 5, 2026.
  • Other legislative hearing consent items (RLH SAO 26-41, RLH SAO 25-73, RLH AR 26-42, RLH AR 26-43) were adopted as amended or as presented.

Meeting Transcript

Kim. Here. Yang. Here. Council President Naker. Here. I'm sorry, seven present, none absent. Thanks so much to everyone for joining us at our city council meeting today. We appreciate you being here, and we invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I know that we are going to be pulling item twenty-one for separate consideration. Is there anything else to be taken off of consent? Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Yang for the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Six in favor, none opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as amended. Item twenty-one, resolution twenty-six-one one five zero. Recognizing the historic legacy, cultural preservation, and community contributions of the Rondo Days drill teams and dance groups. So today is Ronda Day's week. And when I think about our city's vitality, it isn't only defined by our budget or by building more buildings, but it's really true or truly rooted in arts and culture in the legacy preservation of what shapes our neighborhoods. And for generations, uh all of these drill teams and dance groups have done exactly that. They have built belonging for our young people while creating memories that have united our city. And I just want to thank each and every one of you and hundreds of people out in community who and also the folks who are watching today, um, helping to cultivate not only the conversations, but truly trusting uh me as their council member to really um cherish and nourish and recognize um this community-driven effort and this community-driven effort to do something very ambitious with bringing all of the drill teams and um dance groups over generations together for this reunion, but also to expand pathways for our collective healing. And if you know the story about Ronde, it's more than just uh destruction, it's about the rebuilding, the repairing, and the restoring, and this has been so restorative for all of our communities as we've been honoring and recognizing um many of the efforts of the drill teams, as well as the continuation of building that legacy. So uh for all the millions of viewers at home, uh you're invited, even though you're not here, but you're also invited to join us at Rondo Days this Saturday at the MLK Center, where we'll be doing our official ceremony, and all my colleagues are also welcome to join. It is now my honor to invite the representatives of each of the legacy Rondo drill teams in dance groups for it. I'm going to invite each speaker in the order um of which I uh invite you. You're gonna be receiving the resolution, and we just ask um for each of you to have two minutes. Um you well prepared, I know everyone's well prepared. We've been waiting for this day. Uh, but we're gonna invite uh Shash Sha Suler, that's a s or excuse Garland as a second speaker, as well as Elder Lynn Graham and an elder Jean House Foster. Welcome. All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Uh my name is Shasu Adeley. Um it is an honor to accept this recognition on behalf of uh my beloved grandmother, Miss Lutham O'Wiley. In 1972, our grandmother and grandfather, Mr. Roscoe S. Wiley, moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Uh Lou Wiley had a deep love for children and an unwavering belief in their potential. She understood that young people thrive when they are given opportunities to express themselves in positive, supportive, and nurturing environments. That vision led her to find the Lou Wiley High Steppers in 1980. What began as a dance line soon grew into a celebrated performing arts organization that embraced multiple genres of dance and artistic expression. Their creativity and artistry helped shape a style that was both distinctive and sophisticated, making the high steppers a source of pride throughout the community. Over the next 15 years, the Lou Wiley Highsteppers performed across the state of Minnesota, including an appearance at Super Bowl 26. They became known not only for their exceptional performances, but also for their stylish costumes inspired by the rich traditions and historically black colleges and universities and their renowned dance teams and marching bands. Among all of their performances, Rondo Days held a special place in the hearts of the high steppers. It was more than an event.

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