Special City Council Public Hearing on Mayor's Encampment Plan - August 4, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council held a special meeting on August 4, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 12:58 PM to continue the public hearing on the Mayor's Encampment Plan, which involves the eviction of the Pig's Eye encampment scheduled for the following day. Council Vice President Nelsie Yang chaired the meeting. Council President Rebecca Noecker and Councilmember Saura Jost were absent. Councilmembers present: Yang, Kim, Bowie, Johnson, and Coleman. Over 15 members of the public testified (the official minutes record 15 speakers, but the transcript includes testimony from at least 20 individuals). Nearly all speakers opposed the eviction and called for a delay or moratorium.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Seaman (New Freedom Store) offered services to help find a permanent solution, criticizing the cost of shelter beds ($20,000 per bed) and the mayor's focus on crime statistics (750–800 calls, $35,000 per homeless person per year). He argued that giving people apartments ($900/month, $15,000/year) would be cheaper and effective.
• Mary Manning (Bloomington resident, formerly homeless) expressed strong opposition to the sweep, stating encampments provide autonomy and community while shelters are unsafe. She argued the $1 million for 50 beds should instead fund rental vouchers.
• Jordan (volunteer) yielded his time to Jim Seaman, who continued his argument for lockable doors and permanent addresses.
• Catherine Card (retired Lutheran pastor, St. Paul resident) questioned the mayor's absence and urged the council to show compassion and see the holy in vulnerable people.
• Joshua Fuss (executive director of a nonprofit) argued the decision was already made, criticized the state's reduction of chemical dependency treatment beds from 10,000 to 1,400, and called the $1 million inadequate. He noted that most homeless people are not drug users but are unable to afford housing.
• Melissa O'Connell (survived building buyout in Los Angeles) shared her trauma from sweeps in L.A. and shelters, and called for systemic solutions and healing.
• Justin Lewendusky (Open Hands Midway, speaking on behalf of 94 people of faith from over 25 faith communities) demanded a 30–60 day delay to prepare for displacement, criticizing Mayor Hur for lack of planning and coordination.
• David Menickee (St. Paul Outreach Center) emphasized the humanity of encampment residents and the volunteer resources available, asking for an extension to create a coordinated plan.
• Adam Beers (public health professional) calculated that police cost $1,375.38 per person to remove, and argued that money could provide housing documents, cell phones, work boots, etc. He equated the sweep to supporting ICE.
• Violet criticized the council for not issuing an emergency moratorium despite unanimous public opposition, accused an attendee of transphobia, and warned of police brutality.
• Tom Evanstad (candidate for governor) expressed facing homelessness himself, called out Mayor Hur and Police Chief Axel Henry, and demanded a 60-day moratorium, proposing $250 million from the police budget to house all homeless people.
• David (testifier) used a poetic metaphor, accusing the council of cruelty without conviction, and urged them to stand by their decision or defer to democracy.
• Rebecca Homard (Ward 7 resident) noted that over 200 online public comments opposed the eviction, and criticized Mayor Hur's absence and lack of response. She called on Councilmember Johnson specifically to stop the eviction.
• Kelsey Fire shared personal experience of feeling safe at encampments, and urged policy based on humanity rather than fear.
• Scout (We Are Zine) accused Mayor Hur of being distracted by scandals and image issues, and questioned whether the council is merely the mayor's "do-nothing cronies."
• Nen (mutual aid volunteer) reported that city support claims are false, that police are already destroying belongings and arresting people, and that there is nowhere for residents to go. She said "blood will be on your hands."
• Dan Crivet (Ward 3 resident) relayed that the county manager stated they need more time for contracts, and urged a pause.
• Melissa O'Connell (returning) offered to build bridges with Mayor Hur and warned of trauma from armed factions shooting rubber bullets.
• Lennon framed the issue as settler colonialism and private property enforcement, calling for disarmament of the police.
• Another testifier quoted Friedrich Engels, accusing the city of "social murder" through sweeps, and linked the drug crisis to government policy.
• Matthew Resnick (Seattle tiny house village founder) offered his expertise in creating tiny house village programs as a solution.
• A Christian volunteer shared his personal experience of homelessness and foster care, and called on the government to follow Christ's example of service.
• Adam Beers (returning) again criticized the $1 million for only 49 cots, called the mayor a sexual predator, and accused Assistant Mayor Cedric Baker of stalking him.
• Final speaker (quiet voice) expressed exhaustion from witnessing injustice, and asked the city to "lead with love."

Key Outcomes

• The council closed the public hearing at 12:58 PM on a motion by Councilmember Kim, with a 5–0 vote (Councilmembers Noecker and Jost absent). No further action or vote was taken on the encampment plan itself; the meeting was adjourned immediately after.