Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saint Paul public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
2026 Third Quarter Budget to Actual
A quarterly check on how the HRA's 2026 spending stacks up against its budget. Carried over from the October 28 meeting.
Sale of HRA-owned 515 Lafond to the Church of St. Agnes
The HRA owns property at 515 Lafond and will hear a presentation on selling it to the Church of St. Agnes. The sale could return a publicly held parcel to active use in Ward 1.
Lawson Parking Ramp parking use agreement
The HRA is considering a parking use agreement with Hamm Building Commercial, LLC for spaces in the Lawson Parking Ramp downtown. These arrangements keep parking available for downtown businesses, workers, and visitors.
Emergency rental assistance partnership with Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation
Chair Johnson announced the emergency rental assistance program opened that day, drawing 56 applications on day one and heading toward roughly 200 by the close of the application window.
Office of the City Council Budget
A review of the budget for running the City Council's own operations — staffing, offices and support services for 2027.
Problem property enforcement (remove/repair orders)
The council ordered rehabilitation or razing of the structures at 633 Capitol Boulevard, with the matter referred back to an October 27, 2026 legislative hearing.
Wabasha/St. Peter street reconstruction and bikeway extension
The council moved Municipal State Aid money into the Wabasha Bridge rehab project and updated financing for the University Avenue reconstruction.
Rondo Community Library
Rondo Library is thriving at its temporary Hallie Q. Brown home, with program participation up even though daily visits dipped. A design was picked for the 461 Dale renovation featuring a separate teen space, more study rooms, and a multipurpose wellness/prayer/lactation room; bidding starts in May.
HUD funding for Hayden Heights and Riverview library reconstruction
The library closes March 24 for an 18-month renovation funded in part by a new $1.65 million Friends contribution. During closure, patrons can pick up holds at Sunray, use Ramsey County libraries, and access mobile stops and rec center Wi-Fi. A community meeting March 10 will gather input on services residents want during the closure.
1201 Rice Street rezone
Rice Holding Co LLC wants to rezone 1201 Rice Street from traditional neighborhood (T2) to general business (B3), opening the door to broader commercial uses along Rice Street. The public hearing is the council's chance to hear from neighbors before deciding.
2027 Water, Sewer, Garbage and Recycling Rates
Property owners with city-performed demolition or sewer line repair work will see those costs assessed, with hearings set for June and July.
Ramsey County Tax Valuation Trends
The committee will review how property valuations are trending across Ramsey County. Rising valuations can mean shifting property tax burdens for homeowners and businesses.
Special Edition Library Card
Staff will present a special edition library card — a small but visible community engagement effort for cardholders.
Mobile saunas on park property
A pitch to bring mobile saunas to Saint Paul parks could add a new kind of wintertime recreation option. It's just an idea at this stage — the committee took the presentation without any commitment.
HREEO 2027 Budget
The Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity is presenting its 2027 budget request. What the city funds here shapes civil rights enforcement and economic opportunity programs for residents.
UNREAL LLC economic development project near 400 Snelling Avenue N
Two measures would support UNREAL LLC's proposed project in the United Village development: adopting findings for a state Job Creation Fund application and sponsoring a Minnesota Investment Fund application — state tools aimed at bringing jobs to the Ward 1 site.
Fire certificate of occupancy revocation
The owner of 1609 Saint Anthony Avenue is appealing a fire certificate of occupancy revocation and order to vacate — potentially a housing stability issue for anyone living at the property.
Nuisance abatement order appeals
The council ratified (mostly reduced or deleted) appealed tax assessments, allowed temporary occupancy of a condemned home on Howell Street, and ordered action at 430 Dale Street North.
Water service bill dispute
A homeowner on Larpenteur Avenue East is contesting her water bill, backed by months of daily consumption analysis on file.
Property code and assessment appeals
The council worked through nine property appeals, including a tenant's fight over broken plumbing, missing smoke alarms and a landlord who allegedly did nothing for months. Most appeals were denied or orders upheld; one family faces immediate vacate of a lower unit.
Finest Pour liquor license application
A new license application from Finest Pour LLC is headed for a licensing hearing, with both objections and district council support already on file. The outcome will determine whether the business can operate under the license at its Saint Paul location.
Fence variance at 775 Edmund Avenue
A denied fence variance was appealed and is now recommended for approval at 1.5 feet over the limit, for a total height of 8.5 feet.
Fire safety orders to vacate
Ashray Gupta appealed fire inspection correction notices and an order to vacate at two properties. At 251 Maria Ave., several units must stay empty while the purchaser demonstrates financing and a repair plan.
Vacant building assessments and payment relief
Several owners appealed vacant-building and boarding assessments. Two properties got five-year payment plans recommended, while two others were delayed to allow proof of payment or evidence of repair work.
Coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness
The council adopted a resolution backing a coordinated city-county approach to unsheltered homelessness. It signals how the city will handle encampments and connect people to services going forward.
Snelling-University Commercial Development District liquor licenses
The council is creating a special commercial district around Snelling and University that would allow seven on-sale liquor licenses beyond the normal citywide limits, spread across four quadrants of the intersection. The hearing was continued to October 14, so the outcome isn't final yet.
Lead pipe replacement financing
The council authorized up to $10 million in state water funding plus two taxable grant anticipation notes for lead pipe replacement. That's money aimed at getting lead out of Saint Paul's drinking water lines.
Office of Technology and Communications 2027 budget
The city's tech and communications department presented its proposed 2027 budget. This covers the digital services and systems residents use to interact with city government, and it's now part of the record as the 2027 budget takes shape.
Street Co-Naming Procedures
The Council revived its honorary street co-naming practice and immediately used it to honor historian Mahmoud El-Kati, over one dissent.
Street sweeping and water quality grants
The council took public testimony and approved a revised version of rules governing salt storage, then set final adoption for October 7.
Merriam Park skate park expansion
The council accepted roughly $1 million in grants and donations for parks: $500,000 for the Merriam Park skatepark, $250,000 for Sackett Park trails, $200,000 for the Point Douglas Regional Trail, and $50,000 for Dousman Park.
Save Our Street lawsuit settlement
The city settled the lawsuit brought by Historic Summit Avenue/Save Our Street over a street name change, ending litigation in Ramsey County District Court.
Street and alley reconstruction assessments
The council ratified special assessments for more than a dozen street, alley, and sewer projects — these are charges billed to property owners benefiting from the work, and they appear on property tax statements.
Maryland Park property sale and loan assumption
The city gave a first look at selling the Maryland Park property with a loan assumption attached. No decision yet — just an introduction to what a sale would look like.
Fire Department whole blood program funding
The fire department gets a $25,140.87 reimbursement from Regions EMS to support its whole blood program.
2027 Capital Improvement Budget
Public Works presented its proposed 2027 budget covering streets, maintenance, and department initiatives. The presentation starts the council's budget review process.
2026 Bond Sales and Tax Levy
The council authorized green sewer revenue bonds to fund sewer utility work.
Parks and Recreation fund transfer
A proposed fund transfer involving Parks and Recreation was on the agenda but got pushed to the October 14 meeting, so no decision yet.
The Aragon Development affordable housing
The HRA tapped Reuter Walton Development to bring large-scale affordable housing — including bigger family units and public green space — to the Fox Lot properties on the West Side. The designation is tentative; a full development deal returns to the board, and Commissioner Noecker wants the West Side Flats master plan honored.
Autonomous vehicle labor and community protections
The city is starting to learn about self-driving and connected vehicle technology before it has to regulate it. This presentation lays the groundwork for any future policies on autonomous vehicles operating on Saint Paul streets.
2027 Debt Proposal
The city's plan for borrowing in 2027 was presented. Debt service affects how much of the budget goes to paying off bonds rather than direct services.
State housing funding applications for Saint Paul projects
The council accepted state metro housing grant funds for affordable housing projects at 680-694 Minnehaha Ave E and CommonBond Communities at 58 E Wood Street.
2027 City Budget Proposal
Mayor Kaohly Her's proposed 2027 city budget is now in front of the Budget Committee. What's in it — property taxes, services, and spending priorities — will shape next year's city budget.
HOME housing budget amendments
The city's federal HOME housing dollars were updated to reflect $1.29 million in program income and about $2.65 million in 2026 spending.
Preserving affordable housing at Afton View Apartments
The board got a first look at the Afton View Apartments affordable housing project, with developer Tareen Development Partners answering questions. A formal request will likely come later.
Early TIF District Decertification
The HRA learned what steps it would need to take to end tax increment financing districts early — a move that returns leftover TIF dollars but can carry legal and financial conditions.
Webster Park renamed Barack and Michelle Obama Park
The park formerly known as Victoria Park is now Brewer's Bluff Park, following a Planning Commission recommendation.
Department of Emergency Management 2027 Budget
Saint Paul's Police Department presented its proposed 2027 budget to the Budget Committee. This early presentation sets the stage for later debates over police staffing, programs, and how much of the city budget goes to public safety.
Scooter and bike share contracts for 2026
Minneapolis is chipping in $300,000 to keep the shared electric car service running across both cities.
Department of Human Resources 2027 Budget
Human Resources outlined its 2027 budget, covering staffing and personnel services for city operations. The presentation was accepted into the record without action.