Saint Paul City Council Meeting – August 19, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on August 19, 2026, at 3:30 PM in Council Chambers, with Council Vice President Nelsie Yang presiding in the absence of Council President Rebecca Noecker. Councilmember HwaJeong Kim arrived later in the meeting, bringing attendance to six members. The meeting covered a consent agenda, a public hearing on an ordinance establishing a fire chief selection committee, multiple resolutions on budgets and grants, two sound level variances, and a legislative hearing consent agenda with several appealed assessments and abatement orders.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–21 were approved en bloc with no separate discussion. These included budget amendments (AO 26-51, AO 26-56, AO 26-57, AO 26-58), assessment approvals for securing/emergency boarding, Seventh Place Mall, Grand/Snelling parking lot, settlement of a claim (Emily Trudeau, $26,625.00), pay grade changes for Assistant Chief of Police and Senior Zoo Keeper, adverse action against Wilebskis Blues Saloon, Fire Explorers program funding, grant applications (Port Security, FY 2027 Enforcement, Ward 7 Neighborhood Star), non-use of Project Labor Agreements (47 Douglas Street, 1087 Ross Avenue), liquor license transfers and new licenses (El Jalisco Grill, Avalon), and a collective bargaining agreement with the Classified Confidential Employees Association.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 25 (RES PH 26-194 – budget amendment): Three residents testified in opposition to police drone programs, citing concerns over militarization, lack of transparency, and diversion of funds from community needs. Wyatt Miller (Ward 4) stated the city spent an estimated $300,000 on SkyDio drones and demanded public disclosure of the contract. Barry Reish, a lifelong St. Paul resident, opposed drones as unnecessary and militaristic. Simon Shoch Sari (Ward 7) linked drone spending to library closures and homeless encampment sweeps. The presiding officer repeatedly reminded speakers to stay on topic.
• Item 26 (RES PH 26-197 – domestic abuse intervention grant): Two speakers opposed police involvement in domestic violence prevention, criticizing the use of Flock cameras and SkyDio drones. Cedar Larson (Ward 1, Women Against Military Madness) argued police themselves commit domestic abuse and that drones have been used for genocide. Andrew Joseph Chak (former St. Paul resident) called for canceling contracts with SkyDio and Flock.
• Item 28 (sound variance – Nativity County Fair): Nick Strauss spoke in support, describing the event’s 52-year history and community entertainment.
• Item 30 (appealed assessment – 565 Aldine Street): Laura Schroeder, on-site manager, testified that the property’s after-hours emergency number was not called by police before boarding, requesting the assessment be removed.
• Item 33 (appealed assessment – 99 California Avenue West): Zach, facilities manager for HRM, testified that police left the building unsecured and did not contact the posted emergency number.
• Item 39 (abatement – 947 Fremont Avenue): Property representative Jay Mitchell requested continuation of the 180-day period without monthly forfeitures, citing delays due to city cyberattack, permit system changes, and a collapsed foundation.
• Item 36 (vacate order – 1103 Chatsworth Street North): Homeowner Bambi Barclay testified that she cannot access energy assistance because the electric bill is in an ex-partner’s name, and asked for help to avoid homelessness.
• Item 44 (nuisance abatement – 314 Wyoming Street East): Property owner Gary Grimes testified that he finally obtained a title for a junk vehicle from England and arranged removal by Monday or Tuesday, requesting a few more days.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26-38 – Fire Chief Selection Committee: Council Vice President Yang presented the slate, emphasizing diversity and expertise. Councilmember Johnson flagged the need to confirm the Minneapolis Fire Chief’s availability for the committee. Councilmember Kim praised the slate’s representation of St. Paul’s unique fire/EMS system. Kyle Thornberg, president of St. Paul Firefighters Local 21, expressed full support, noting that fire responses increased 8% overall and 15% in fire incidents in the past month compared to 2025. The public hearing was closed, and the ordinance was laid over for final adoption next week.
• Item 23 – Como-Eustis Sanitary Sewer Availability Connection Charge District: Public hearing held. Resident Barbara Holmes (Como-Eustis area) expressed confusion but ultimately supported the district, noting new developments (HealthPartners, Luther Seminary) would bear improvement costs. The council closed the hearing and adopted the resolution 6-0.
• Item 24 – Parks and Recreation bond interest proceeds ($633,224): Adopted 6-0 with no public testimony.
• Item 25 – Capital Improvement Budget amendment (bond sale details): After public testimony on drones, the council adopted 6-0. Councilmember Bowie requested suspension of rules for broader public comment; the city attorney advised it could not be done for un-noticed topics. Council Vice President Yang encouraged Councilmember Bowie to schedule a future public hearing on drone-related topics.
• Item 26 – Police Department grant acceptance (domestic abuse intervention): Adopted 6-0 after public testimony.
• Item 27 – Sound variance, Walk for Recovery (September 12, 2026): Adopted 6-0 without testimony.
• Item 28 – Sound variance, Nativity County Fair (September 18–20, 2026): Adopted 6-0.
• Item 29 – Mill & overlay assessment (Front Avenue): Continued to October 7, 2026, with no testimony.
• Legislative Hearing Items:
  • Item 30 (565 Aldine Street, $479 assessment): Adopted 6-0 following legislative hearing officer’s recommendation; Councilmember Coleman noted standard procedures were followed.
  • Item 33 (99 California Avenue West, $479 assessment): Adopted 6-0; Councilmember Kim stated the fee was nominal and no payment plan was requested.
  • Item 39 (947 Fremont Avenue, forfeiture of $2,500): Laid over for two weeks (to September 2, 2026) at Councilmember Johnson’s request to allow inspection for progress.
  • Item 44 (314 Wyoming Street East): Laid over for one week (to August 26, 2026) based on testimony that junk vehicle removal was imminent.
  • Item 36 (1103 Chatsworth Street North, vacate order): Councilmember Kim moved to extend the compliance date to October 15, 2026 (instead of October 1) to allow time for resource connection. Adopted 6-0.
  • Item 35 (914 Central Avenue West, rehabilitation order): Pulled from consent by Councilmember Bowie; after staff report confirming performance deposit and inspection application were received, the matter was referred to legislative hearing on September 15, 2026. Adopted.
• The remaining legislative hearing consent items (31,32,34,37,38,40,41,42,43,45–50) were approved en bloc.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-38 (Fire Chief Selection Committee) laid over for final adoption next week (August 26, 2026).
• Resolution 23 (Como-Eustis Sewer District) adopted 6-0.
• Resolution 24 (Parks bond interest) adopted 6-0.
• Resolution 25 (Budget amendment) adopted 6-0.
• Resolution 26 (Domestic abuse intervention grant) adopted 6-0.
• Resolutions 27, 28 (Sound variances) adopted 6-0.
• Resolution 29 (Front Avenue assessment) continued to October 7, 2026.
• Item 30 (565 Aldine Street) assessment ratified 6-0.
• Item 33 (99 California Avenue West) assessment ratified 6-0.
• Item 39 (947 Fremont Avenue) laid over two weeks to September 2, 2026.
• Item 44 (314 Wyoming Street East) laid over one week to August 26, 2026.
• Item 36 (1103 Chatsworth Street North) vacate order extended to October 15, 2026, adopted 6-0.
• Item 35 (914 Central Avenue West) referred to legislative hearing September 15, 2026.
• Remaining legislative hearing consent items approved en bloc.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:45 PM.