Saint Paul City Council Meeting - August 12, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Council Chambers. Five members were present initially (Noecker, Yang, Kim, Jost, Coleman), with Bowie and Johnson absent but later arriving for the ordinance and public hearing sections. The meeting covered consent items, ordinance readings, public hearings, and a legislative hearing, concluding at 4:04 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Reallocation of Police Activity Budget (AO 26-55): Received and filed.
• Special Assessment Policy Amendments (RES 26-692): Adopted.
• Sanitary Sewer Service Line Repair Assessment (RES 26-1216): Adopted; public hearing set for September 16, 2026.
• Seventh Place Mall Operation & Maintenance Costs for 2025 and 2026 (RES 26-1230, RES 26-1232): Adopted.
• Police LEMHWA Grant Application (RES 26-1267): Adopted.
• Grand/Snelling Parking Lot Costs (RES 26-1270): Adopted.
• MnDOT Traffic Signal Interconnect Agreement (RES 26-1279): Adopted.
• Settlement of Lawsuit – Jon Berry v. City of St. Paul and Councilmember Bowie (RES 26-1296): Adopted.
• Appointments to Visit Saint Paul Board (RES 26-1305) and Public Housing Agency (RES 26-1306): Adopted.
• Restitution for ST. PAWS LLC Violations (RES 26-1311): Adopted ($40,201.23).
• Collective Bargaining Agreements: Fire Fighters Local 21 (2026-2028), Deputy Chiefs LELS (2026), IBEW Local 110 MOA for Minnesota Paid Leave program – all adopted.
• Administrative Citations Implementation Working Group (RES 26-1314): Adopted.

All consent items were approved 5-0 (Bowie and Johnson absent).

Ordinances

Final Adoption – Ord 26-31 (Elimination of Youth Subminimum Wage):

• Sponsored by Coleman, Yang, and Kim. This ordinance amends Section 224.05(c) to eliminate the provisional 90-day minimum wage rate for workers aged 14-17, ensuring all workers are paid the standard minimum wage regardless of age.
• Councilmember Coleman highlighted the ordinance as a step to eliminate discrimination and support young workers contributing to family incomes. Vice President Yang shared personal experience and emphasized dignity in work. No opposition was recorded during previous hearings.
• Vote: Adopted unanimously (7-0).

Ord 26-27 (Deputy City Clerk Classification): Withdrawn.

First Reading – Ord 26-38 (Fire Chief Selection Committee):

• Sponsored by Yang. Establishes a Qualifications and Examining Committee for the Fire Chief position. Council adopted Version 2 of the ordinance (7-0) and laid it over for further consideration to August 19, 2026.

Public Hearings

All 20 public hearing items (RES PH 26-148 through 26-189) were adopted unanimously (7-0 after full attendance). Key items:

• Sanitary Sewer Assessments (RES PH 26-148): Ratified assessments for sewer replacement along the Metro Transit Gold Line BRT project.
• Alley Vacation (RES PH 26-177): Approved petition to vacate alley at 779 Lexington Parkway South. David Lundy (sponsor) testified in support, citing increased density and affordable housing.
• Judgment Bonds (RES PH 26-188): Amended operating budget for bond issuance and judgment payment.
• Big Belly Donation (RES PH 26-184): Accepted a $6,951.60 garbage/recycling station from the Highland District Council.
• Sound Level Variances (RES PH 26-185 through 26-189): Approved for St. Paul Get Down (Aug 29), UST Back to School Pep Rally (Sep 3), Selby Ave JazzFest (Sep 12), and UST Football Game (Aug 27). One member of the public, Isaac (17), youth program manager for the Get Down, testified in support, emphasizing the event provides performance opportunities and revitalizes parks.

Legislative Hearing

Item 29 – Appeal of Lucky Tiger Jack Rosenbloom (369 Dale Street North):

• Mr. Rosenbloom appealed a summary abatement order for a damaged fence. He argued the fence is structurally sound after partial repairs and sought court review of the reasonableness of city requirements. The hearing officer (Ms. Mormond) noted a city inspector found the fence unsound and recommended an extension for the owner to submit an engineer’s plan.
• Councilmembers discussed the need for a structural engineer’s statement to define “structurally sound” and considered traffic safety at the intersection (frequent car accidents).
• Motion: To grant an extension for compliance until October 26, 2026, allowing time for the owner to provide an engineer’s report or complete repairs. Adopted 6-1 (Councilmember Johnson opposed).

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda (Items 28, 30-33):

• Item 28 (1083 Bradley St.): Referred to August 18, 2026 Legislative Hearing.
• Item 30 (2177 Fairmount Ave.): Findings adopted.
• Item 31 (1400 Hewitt Ave.): Adopted.
• Item 32 (444 Johnson Parkway): Adopted as amended (compliance granted to September 14, 2026).
• Item 33 (594-596 Reaney Ave.): Adopted as amended (granted 180 days for rehabilitation).

The consent agenda was adopted 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous elimination of the youth subminimum wage (Ord 26-31).
• Fire Chief selection committee ordinance laid over for further discussion.
• All public hearing resolutions approved, including sound variances for four community events.
• Summary abatement appeal for 369 Dale St. N. granted extension to October 26, 2026 (6-1 vote).
• Budget engagement events announced: Mayor’s budget address (Aug 13) and Ward 7 budget engagement at Battle Creek Rec Center.
• Newell Park playground design event announced for the evening of Aug 12.