Public Safety Committee Meeting on Post-Encampment Closure Response and Catholic Charities Update - August 26, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council Public Safety Committee met on August 26, 2026, at 12:30 PM in Council Chambers to discuss two agenda items: the post-encampment closure response at Pig's Eye Park and an operational update from Catholic Charities. The meeting featured presentations from Assistant Mayor Cedric Baker and Keith Kozerski, Chief Program Officer of Catholic Charities, followed by extensive discussion among council members. No votes were taken; the session was informational and directive.

Discussion Items

Post-Encampment Closure Response (SR 26-177)

• Assistant Mayor Baker reported that the Pig's Eye Park encampment closure occurred August 5–7, 2026, with an estimated 45–50 individuals remaining on site the morning of August 5. A coordinated effort involved St. Paul Fire, Police, Emergency Management, Public Works, Safety and Inspections, and the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS). Ramsey County contributed $1.1 million in emergency shelter and intensive case management, deployed over 90 county employees, made more than 5,000 contacts, and provided $33,500 in outreach supplies. The city had previously transferred $200,000 for a contract with Catholic Charities and over $800,000 for additional shelter beds.
• City teams (ONS, Fire CARES, DSI HEART) made 450 touch points, including two housing referrals. Since closure, only seven individuals from the encampment could be tracked through the HMIS system as having used shelter beds (not consistently), plus four tracked by Union Gospel Mission. 28 individuals had active housing referrals within 30 days. Baker noted that Ramsey County initiated weekly meetings of service providers to create individual action plans for encampment residents.
• Baker highlighted significant challenges: activists blocked access, harassed staff, and placed nails/spikes to puncture tires. He described the Randolph encampment as a “more complex” situation due to multiple landowners, difficult ingress/egress, soil contamination, flooding, active train tracks, and booby traps. An estimated 140–150 people were now at Randolph, many believed to have moved from Pig's Eye. Emergency vehicles could not reach the site; a recent birth required a side-by-side vehicle. Baker stated the city intentionally did not want people moving to Randolph, but some advocated for that site, and service providers reported that conversations about shelter ceased once Randolph became known as an option.
• Councilmembers questioned the data: Councilmember Jost asked for a breakdown of where individuals went, noting that 124 people were at Pig's Eye. Councilmember Kim asked about the definition of success and the methodology for tracking shelter utilization. Councilmember Johnson emphasized the need for direct contact with organizers and protesters, distinguishing between the Bruce Vento closure and Pig's Eye. Chair Bowie expressed that the presentation did not meet her expectations, criticized the speed of the closure, and stated that the city should have been better prepared with a safety strategy rather than a media strategy. She noted that advocates had warned of resistance during public hearings. Assistant Mayor Baker defended the city’s preparation, stating they went in “eyes wide open” and that the city cannot control where individuals choose to go. He asked for council members’ help in communicating the instability of the Randolph site.
• Councilmember Coleman noted that an after-action review of the planning and operations had been completed and that lessons would be incorporated. She emphasized that staff harassment would not be tolerated and that future closures would involve legal consequences for obstruction. No date has been set for any future encampment closure.

Catholic Charities Operations Update (SR 26-178)

• Keith Kozerski provided an update on Catholic Charities’ shelter operations. As of July 1, 2026, Ramsey County requested a proposal, and Catholic Charities added 49 beds to the Higher Ground St. Paul shelter, bringing total capacity to 292 beds (220 men, 72 women). The beds were opened to the general population after low utilization from encampment individuals. Only one individual was documented as coming directly from Pig's Eye. Kozerski noted that the average overnight temperature (64°F) likely reduced demand; research indicates discomfort begins below 50°F. He expects utilization to increase as temperatures drop.
• Barriers to shelter use include curfew (8:30 PM), inability to shelter couples due to physical setup, and limits on belongings (what an individual can carry). Catholic Charities is pet-friendly, does not require sobriety, and uses a harm reduction approach. The week after the closure, the St. Paul Opportunity Center saw a 40% increase in new users. Catholic Charities offered to send staff to encampments to address misconceptions about shelter rules.
• Council President Noecker asked about barriers for couples and storage. Kozerski explained that the congregate bunk setup, designed to ensure safety for women fleeing domestic violence, prevents co-ed couples. He also noted that Catholic Charities previously operated a pay-for-stay model but discontinued it post-pandemic. Chair Bowie inquired about the possibility of 24-hour drop-in service; Kozerski indicated that curfew is tied to the coordinated shelter system (SHED) to ensure beds are rebooked if not claimed.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The committee received information and directed follow-up.
• Assistant Mayor Baker committed to providing more detailed data on where individuals from the encampment went and the number of service providers involved in weekly meetings.
• The city will continue after-action reviews and incorporate lessons into future encampment responses, with emphasis on staff safety and legal enforcement against obstruction.
• Catholic Charities will continue to work with the city and county to address barriers and increase outreach to encampment residents.
• Councilmembers expressed the need for better communication, trauma-informed approaches, and a clear definition of success for future closures.