Saint Paul City Council Meeting - October 22, 2026

The Saint Paul City Council met on October 22, 2026, to address a full agenda highlighted by a resolution establishing a coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness, the amendment of a commercial development district ordinance, and several public hearings on grants and projects. The council also officially declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and approved the appointment of a new Ward 5 legislative aide. (Note: The published agenda for this meeting was dated October 21, 2026.)

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the bulk of the consent agenda (Items 5-22) in a single vote, pulling Items 16 and 22 for separate discussion. The approved consent items included liquor license approvals for Asian Flame, Khue's Kitchen, and Yoerg Brewing Company; accepting technical rescue equipment; authorizing water revenue bonds and grant anticipation notes; settling the Historic Summit Avenue lawsuit; approving labor agreements; and authorizing a legislative hearing for vacant building registration fees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• RES 26-1771 / West 7th Arts District Grant (Item 16): Tim Reardon, representing the West 7th Ford Road Federation, described the Color the Corridor Project. He stated the $25,000 Ward 2 Neighborhood STAR grant would fund license agreements with 15 local artists for banners on light posts, describing it as the largest outdoor art gallery of its type in the country.
• RLH VO 26-45 / 855 Third Street East (Item 36): Property owner Paris Getty spoke to her appeal for an extension on a condemnation order. She cited serious personal health issues (a 70-day hospitalization following a stroke) and a difficult tenant situation as reasons for her inability to complete repairs, requesting an extension until the end of January 2027.

Discussion Items

• Coordinated Response to Unsheltered Homelessness (RES 26-1765 – Version 2): Councilmembers unanimously supported the resolution establishing a three-phase blueprint for the city. Council President Noecker framed it as a necessary step, calling for better systems instead of looking away. Councilmember Kim argued that encampment evictions "have failed all of us," citing a $440,000 cost for a previous sweep and a count of 410 people at a single encampment. Councilmember Johnson detailed the strategy: a 60-day strategic investment period with a navigation tent, a temporary six-month low-barrier winter shelter, and a permanent low-barrier indoor village. Councilmember Coleman emphasized the resolution was the "starting line" of a long-term process. Councilmember Jost called the previous August sweep a failure. Councilmember Bowie shared personal connections to housing instability and supported the resolution as a step toward rebuilding public trust.
• University-Snelling Commercial Development District (Ord 26-49 – Version 2): Councilmember Coleman introduced Version 2 of the ordinance, which decreases the number of new allowable liquor licenses while grandfathering existing businesses. Councilmember Bowie noted the initial request during the World Cup from immigrant businesses seeking greater flexibility. The council reopened the public hearing and laid the ordinance over for final adoption on October 28, 2026.
• Prevailing Wage for Wood Frame Construction (Ord 26-51): The ordinance received its first reading. President Noecker explained it aligns city code with state law to allow federal residential prevailing wage rates for city-financed wood frame construction projects. The staff report and public hearing were delayed to the following week due to the staff presenter's illness.

Key Outcomes

• Homelessness Resolution Adopted (RES 26-1765, Version 2): The council voted 6-0 to adopt the resolution outlining the coordinated response. The vote was briefly reconsidered to ensure the correct version was passed.
• Commercial Development District Laid Over (Ord 26-49, Version 2): Final adoption was continued to October 28, 2026.
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclaimed (RES 26-1770): October was officially declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Shelley Klein accepted the resolution on behalf of victim advocacy organizations.
• Legislative Hearing Decision on 855 Third Street East (Item 36): The council adopted the hearing officer's recommendation, granting a final extension to November 10, 2026, for the owner to comply. The second-floor unit must be vacated if not made safe, but the property owner may remain. The council and hearing officer formally apologized to Ms. Getty over an inspector misgendering her.
• All Public Hearing Items (Items 27-33) Adopted: The council approved accepting a $50,000 donation for Dousman Park, adding $14 million in federal grant funding for the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) project, $200,000 for the Point Douglas Regional Trail, $250,000 for Sackett Park trail connections, $500,000 for the Merriam Park Skatepark, enhanced street sweeping grant funds, and a sound variance for the Turkey Trot.
• New Ward 5 Aide Appointed (RES 26-1762): The council approved the appointment of Luke Mielke as the Legislative Aide for Ward 5. Councilmember Kim swore him in.