City Council - February 04, 2026 2/4/2026

Name: February 4, 2026 City Council - February 04, 2026 Transcript
Uploaded: 2026-02-04
Description: Transcript of February 4, 2026 St. Paul City Council - February 04, 2026

Attachments

ROLL CALL
CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
1. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for grant funds, in an amount of up to $800,000, from the Minnesota Department of Cannabis Management’s CanRenew Community Restoration grant for Right Track, the City’s Youth Employment Program for SFY 2027.
- Passed 5-0-0 Adopted
2. Accepting the gift of travel expenses from the Knight Foundation for Library Director Maureen Hartman to attend the Knight Foundation Library Leaders Convening and Knight Media Forum from February 10 - February 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
- Passed 5-0-0 Adopted
3. Approving the use or non-use of a Project Labor Agreement on Department of Parks and Recreation construction projects for the first half of 2026.
- Passed 5-0-0 Adopted
4. Supporting the study of new passenger rail service between Saint Paul and Fargo/Moorhead and Saint Paul and Kansas City, Missouri.
- Passed 5-0-0 Adopted
5. Approving the Proposed Issuance of Conduit Health Care Revenue Bonds by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for the Episcopal Homes Obligated Group (The Willows Project), 80 Mackubin Street, under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 through 469.1655 (District 8 Ward 1).
- Passed 5-0-0 Adopted
FOR DISCUSSION
SUSPENSION ITEMS
Approving the appointment of Kamaria Kassim as the Director of Human Resources effective February 9, 2026.
- Passed 5-0-0 Adopted
ROLL CALL
Calling on the State of Minnesota and Governor Walz to enact an energy and gas shutoff moratorium to keep Minnesota families safe and protect them from ICE.
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted As Amended
ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.
Final Adoption
6. Granting the application of Baillon Company to rezone four (4) I1 light industrial parcels to B5 central business-service.
- 500 Broadway Rezoning Planning Commission Resolution
- Planning Commission Minutes January 9, 2026
- 500 Broadway St Rezoning Staff Report Packet
- Zoning Committee Summary December 18, 2025
- 500 Broadway St 60-day Extension Letter
- Submittal Summary
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
7. Adding Chapter 268 to the Legislative Code to prohibit law enforcement staging operations on city-owned properties and limit access to non-public City spaces.
- Ord 26-5
- Ord 26-5 public comment
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
First Reading
8. Amending Section 86.01(a) of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to Authorize up to Three (3) Assistants to the Mayor to Execute Certain Contracts Made in the Name of the City of Saint Paul and Authorized by the City Council and Further Amending Section 86.01 (a) to Increase the Dollar Value Amount for Contracts that May be Executed by Designees.
SUSPENSION ITEM
Adding Chapter 268B to the Legislative Code to require law enforcement officers to conduct law enforcement operations without a mask or facial covering unless certain exceptions apply.
- Ord 26-7
PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.
9. Adding Chapter 268A to the Legislative Code to require law enforcement officers performing law enforcement duties to visibly display identification on the outermost layer of their uniform.
- Ord 26-6
- Ord 26-6 public comments
- Passed 6-0-0 Amended and Laid Over for Final Adoption
10. Authorizing the City to accept a $500,000 grant from the State to pay for Technology Rich Space improvements to the Rondo Community Library; authorizing the execution of a grant agreement related thereto (which includes indemnification language); authorizing the appropriate City officials to record a declaration related to the grant agreement on the Rondo Community Library property; and amending SPPL’s 2026 financing and spending plans.
- Copy of RES PH 26-28 Amending 2026 Library Agency Special Projects Fiscal Analysis.pdf
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
11. Ratifying the assessment for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on Private Properties. (File No. SWRP2503, Assessment No. 253002)
- Assessment Roll SWRP2503.253002
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
12. Ratifying the assessment for Replacement of Lead Water Service Line on Private Properties. (File No. 2502LDSRP, Assessment No. 254001)
- Assessment Roll 2502LDSRP.254001
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
13. Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and Recreation Grant Fund, in the amount of $35,000, to reflect grant funds received from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) to support the St. Paul Get Down program (and authorization to enter into a grant agreement detailing the requirements of said grant, which include an indemnification clause).
- St Paul Get Down FS MSAB Grant Bud Amd $35K
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
14. Approving the 2026 - 2027 Capital Improvement Budget Committee Capital Maintenance Funding recommendations, and amending the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget to allocate funding for capital maintenance projects to the appropriate departments, as recommended by the committee.
- Attachment A- Financial Analysis
- 2027
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
15. Authorizing the Extension of the Terms of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Grant under the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Program for ForwardEdge ASIC LLC.
- RES PH 26-21 public comments
- Failed 0-6-0 Denied
16. Authorizing the Police Department to amend the 2026 Grant Fund for the sub-grant received from Ramsey County for the Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET).
- Financial Analysis
- VCET Joint Powers Agreement 7th Amendment
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Ramsey County VCET Agreement
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
17. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $20,000 for a grant from Ramsey County Public Health to purchase a LUCAS device.
- RES 25-1928.pdf
- signed.pdf
- Ramsey Count LUCAS Device Grant $20,000.pdf
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
18. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $115,393 for a contribution received from the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE) to pay for training for firefighters.
- MBFTE Financial Analysis $115,393.pdf
- MBFTE letter.pdf
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
19. Authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to apply for and accept a $165,000 grant from the McKnight Foundation to support operational costs for its shared ownership initiative and amending the 2026 budget for the Office of Financial Empowerment.
- RES PH 26-31 OFE McKnight LOCAL Fund grant $165k
- Dillon Donnelly public comment
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
20. Establishing the Festivals and Events Security Credit. (Laid over from February 4, 2026)
- Establishing the Festivals and Events Security Credit
- Security Questions
- Security Credit Questions
- GABA public comment
- Mercedes Yarbrough public comment
- Dayna Martinez public comment
- Fanfare Attractions Public Comment Message
- Fanfare Attractions Public Comment Powerpoint
21. Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.
- Public comments
- Passed 6-0-0 Continue Public Hearing
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM
SUSPENSION ITEM
Appeal of Minister Scarlet Rose to a Fire Inspection Report, which includes condemnation, at 787 HOWELL STREET NORTH.
- 787 Howell St N.appeal.2-2-26
- 787 Howell St NEmail CE Findings.1-29-26.pdf
- 787 Howell St N 2024 RC Arial Image.pdf
- 787 Howell St N.CE Photos 1-29-26.pdf
- 787 Howell St N.Photos 1.30.2026.pdf
- 787 Howell Ave.Rose Ltr.2-6-26
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
22. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 427 AURORA AVENUE. (File No. J2522R4, Assessment No. 258582)
- 427 Aurora Ave.SAO.3-19-25
- 427 Aurora Ave.recheck photo.3-26-25
- 427 Aurora Ave.contractor photos.4-7-25
- 427 Aurora Ave.Zimny email chain.6-18-25
- 427 Aurora Ave.STAMP inquiry 7-21-25.pdf
- 427 Aurora Ave.Vendor Invoice Abatements.pdf
- 427 Aurora Ave.Zimny email.7-30-25
23. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 862 CLEAR AVENUE. (File No. J2601TW1, Assessment No. 268703) (Amend to delete)
- 862 Clear Ave.Vang email 10-20-25.pdf
24. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 263 CURTICE STREET WEST. (File No. J2507T1, Assessment No. 258537)
- 263 Curtice St W.TGW 7-11-24.pdf
- 263 Curtice St W.SA Ltr +photo 7-11-24.pdf
- 263 Curtice St W.Photos 7-11-24.pdf
- 263 Curtice St W.Photo 7-26-24.pdf
- 263 Curtice St W.Contractor photos 8-14-24.pdf
- 8-14-2024 Warners Invoice (1).pdf
- 263 Curtice St W.Vang email 10-22-25.pdf
25. Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 430 DALE STREET NORTH within fifteen (15) days after the October 22, 2025, City Council Public Hearing. (Amend to remove within 15 days)
- 430 Dale St N.OTA 6-25-25
- 430 Dale St N.PH Notice 8-11-25
- 430 Dale St N.Condemnation 5-17-23
- 430 Dale St N.Form4 6-28-24
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 5-18-23
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 5-22-23
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 12-8-23
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 5-24-24
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 5-22-25
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 7-1-25
- 430 Dale St N.106 Historic Review Sept 2025
- 430 Dale St N.Summary.pdf
- 430 Dale St N.LS.pdf
- 430 Dale St. N.Ambo R-R Ltr.10-3-25
- 430 Dale St N.Mark Dooley Letter 10-27-25.pdf
- 430 Dale St. N.Tawhid Islamic Center R-R Ltr.10-30-25
- 430 Dale St N.Police Call Logs 11-12-25.pdf
- 430 Dale St. N.Tawhid Islamic Center R-R Ltr.11-24-25
- 430 Dale St N.plans dated 7-29-23.submitted 12-8-25
- PERFORMANCE DEPOSIT FORM_Redacted
- INCORRECT VB CODE COMP INSP FEE
- 430 Dale St N.SSS Constr Building renovation Bid I.10-27-25
- 430 Dale St.Zimny Ambo email chain.12-8-25
- 430 Dale St.Westenhofer email & photos 12-17-25.pdf
- 430 Dale St. N.Tawhid Islamic Center R-R Ltr.12-19-25
- 430 Dale St. N.Tawhid Islamic Center R-R Ltr.1-9-26
- 430 Dale St N.Photos 1-22-26.pdf
- 430 Dale St. N.Tawhid Islamic Center R-R Ltr.1-30-26
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted As Amended
26. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 913 EARL STREET. (File No. J2601TW2, Assessment No. 268704) (Amend to delete)
- 913 Earl St.Vang email chain 10-20-25.pdf
27. Appeal of Danny Ballard to a Summary Abatement Order at 120 FLANDRAU PLACE.
- 120 Flandrau Pl.appeal.1-5-26
- 120 Flandrau Pl.photos.pdf
- 120 Flandrau Pl.Ballard Ltr.1-22-26
- 120 Flandrau Pl.photos.1-20-26.pdf
- Failed 6-0-0 Adopted
28. Amending Council File RLH TA 24-472 to Continue the Public Hearing for the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1055 FOURTH STREET EAST adopted by Council on February 12, 2025. (File No. J2505R, Assessment No. 258508)
- 1055 4th St E.Resolution TA 24-472.pdf
- 1055 4th St E.Minutes.pdf
29. Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2016 FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-55.
- 2016 Fremont Ave.Puchala Ltr.10-3-25.pdf
- 2016 Fremont Ave.email chain 10-8-25.pdf
- Native Landscapes MN 412.925
- 2016 Fremont Ave.Puchala Zimny email.10-20-25
- 2016 Fremont Ave.Site Plan Email Chain.11-18-25
- 2016 Fremont Ave.Puchala Ltr.11-21-25
- 2016 Fremont Ave.Vang email 12-15-25.pdf
- 2016 Fremont Ave.email chain 1-20-26.pdf
- 2016 Fremont Ave.photos 1-20-26.pdf
30. Appeal of Mark Puchala to a Vehicle Abatement Order at 2016 FREMONT AVENUE.
- 2016 Fremont Ave.appeal.1-7-25
- 2016 Fremont Ave.photos 12-17-25.pdf
- 2016 Fremont Ave.email chain 1-20-26.pdf
- 2016 Fremont Ave.photos 1-20-26.pdf
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
31. Appeal of Gomaa Elzamel to a Fire Inspection Report at 1090 LOEB STREET.
- 1090 Loeb St.appeal.12-23-25
- 1090 Loeb St.DSI staff report 1-6-26.pdf
- 1090 Loeb St.Elzamel Ltr.1-9-26
- 1090 Loeb St.Elzamel Zimny email chain.1-9-26
- 1090 Loeb St.Elzamel Ltr.1-16-26
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
32. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 933 WOODBRIDGE STREET. (File No. J2601R4, Assessment No. 268605) (Amend to delete)
- 933 Woodbridge.PO trash pickup email chain.7-23-25
- 933 Woodbridge st.Vang email 10-15-25.pdf
ADJOURNMENT
City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers. Council Meeting Information The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files, are over 1000 pages when printed. Web Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds (RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subsc

ROLL CALL

City Council - February 04, 2026 2/4/2026

ROLL CALL

CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

1. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for grant funds, in an amount of up to $800,000, from the Minnesota Department of Cannabis Management’s CanRenew Community Restoration grant for Right Track, the City’s Youth Employment Program for SFY 2027.

2. Accepting the gift of travel expenses from the Knight Foundation for Library Director Maureen Hartman to attend the Knight Foundation Library Leaders Convening and Knight Media Forum from February 10 - February 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

3. Approving the use or non-use of a Project Labor Agreement on Department of Parks and Recreation construction projects for the first half of 2026.

4. Supporting the study of new passenger rail service between Saint Paul and Fargo/Moorhead and Saint Paul and Kansas City, Missouri.

5. Approving the Proposed Issuance of Conduit Health Care Revenue Bonds by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for the Episcopal Homes Obligated Group (The Willows Project), 80 Mackubin Street, under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 through 469.1655 (District 8 Ward 1).

FOR DISCUSSION

SUSPENSION ITEMS

Approving the appointment of Kamaria Kassim as the Director of Human Resources effective February 9, 2026.

ROLL CALL

Calling on the State of Minnesota and Governor Walz to enact an energy and gas shutoff moratorium to keep Minnesota families safe and protect them from ICE.

ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.

Final Adoption

6. Granting the application of Baillon Company to rezone four (4) I1 light industrial parcels to B5 central business-service.

7. Adding Chapter 268 to the Legislative Code to prohibit law enforcement staging operations on city-owned properties and limit access to non-public City spaces.

First Reading

SUSPENSION ITEM

Adding Chapter 268B to the Legislative Code to require law enforcement officers to conduct law enforcement operations without a mask or facial covering unless certain exceptions apply.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.

9. Adding Chapter 268A to the Legislative Code to require law enforcement officers performing law enforcement duties to visibly display identification on the outermost layer of their uniform.

11. Ratifying the assessment for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on Private Properties. (File No. SWRP2503, Assessment No. 253002)

12. Ratifying the assessment for Replacement of Lead Water Service Line on Private Properties. (File No. 2502LDSRP, Assessment No. 254001)

14. Approving the 2026 - 2027 Capital Improvement Budget Committee Capital Maintenance Funding recommendations, and amending the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget to allocate funding for capital maintenance projects to the appropriate departments, as recommended by the committee.

15. Authorizing the Extension of the Terms of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Grant under the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Program for ForwardEdge ASIC LLC.

16. Authorizing the Police Department to amend the 2026 Grant Fund for the sub-grant received from Ramsey County for the Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET).

17. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $20,000 for a grant from Ramsey County Public Health to purchase a LUCAS device.

18. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $115,393 for a contribution received from the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE) to pay for training for firefighters.

19. Authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to apply for and accept a $165,000 grant from the McKnight Foundation to support operational costs for its shared ownership initiative and amending the 2026 budget for the Office of Financial Empowerment.

20. Establishing the Festivals and Events Security Credit. (Laid over from February 4, 2026)

21. Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

SUSPENSION ITEM

Appeal of Minister Scarlet Rose to a Fire Inspection Report, which includes condemnation, at 787 HOWELL STREET NORTH.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

22. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 427 AURORA AVENUE. (File No. J2522R4, Assessment No. 258582)

23. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 862 CLEAR AVENUE. (File No. J2601TW1, Assessment No. 268703) (Amend to delete)

24. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 263 CURTICE STREET WEST. (File No. J2507T1, Assessment No. 258537)

25. Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 430 DALE STREET NORTH within fifteen (15) days after the October 22, 2025, City Council Public Hearing. (Amend to remove within 15 days)

26. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 913 EARL STREET. (File No. J2601TW2, Assessment No. 268704) (Amend to delete)

27. Appeal of Danny Ballard to a Summary Abatement Order at 120 FLANDRAU PLACE.

28. Amending Council File RLH TA 24-472 to Continue the Public Hearing for the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1055 FOURTH STREET EAST adopted by Council on February 12, 2025. (File No. J2505R, Assessment No. 258508)

29. Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2016 FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-55.

30. Appeal of Mark Puchala to a Vehicle Abatement Order at 2016 FREMONT AVENUE.

31. Appeal of Gomaa Elzamel to a Fire Inspection Report at 1090 LOEB STREET.

32. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 933 WOODBRIDGE STREET. (File No. J2601R4, Assessment No. 268605) (Amend to delete)

ADJOURNMENT

ROLL CALL