Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saint Paul public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in water utilities
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.
Water service bill dispute
A homeowner on Larpenteur Avenue East is contesting her water bill, backed by months of daily consumption analysis on file.
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.
Sewer Revenue Bonds Series 2026D (Green Bonds)
The council authorized green sewer revenue bonds to fund sewer utility work.
Xcel Energy franchise and franchise-fee ordinances
The council finalized updated electric and gas franchise ordinances with Xcel Energy, setting the terms under which the utility uses city rights-of-way.
777 Ohio Street sewer assessment dispute
A $6,868 emergency sewer bill on a property where the owner died in May is being disputed by her family, who say photos, videos, and plumber invoices show the billed work was never done. The council sent it for fact-finding on October 6.
Energy Park Utility rate amendment
The council approved Energy Park Utility Company's request to amend its rates following a public hearing.
Como-Eustis sewer connection charge district
A new special sanitary sewer availability connection charge district was created for the Como-Eustis area in Ward 4, funding Phase 1 and 2 sewer capacity improvements. Property owners there will face a connection charge.
Gold Line sewer assessments ratified
Property owners along the Gold Line BRT route will pay assessments for sewer line work done from the public main to their property lines.
Microgrid grant for Oxford Community Center
The city will pursue state and federal solar grants, including $69,300 for solar at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility and an Xcel interconnection agreement for Frogtown Community Center.
Emergency Sewer Repair assessments on private property
The city will levy assessments on individual properties for April 2026 emergency sewer repairs, with hearings set for July 21 and September 2.
Tree Planting vs. Sewer Lines
A Ward 7 homeowner testified that a city-planted tree's roots wrecked his sewer line, costing $10,000, and that his 'low-interest' loan ran 6%. The council flagged a tree planting ordinance coming next week and promised follow-up.
Water services staffing shortages
A union agreement meant to keep the water utility adequately staffed during shortages was laid over a week instead of adopted. Water service reliability is the underlying concern.
Xcel Energy Sound Variance at Railroad Crossing
Xcel got permission for around-the-clock amplified-sound utility work at the Eagle Parkway rail crossing May 7-21, with noise up to about 85 decibels at the work pit dropping to roughly 60 nearby.
Recovery from the 2025 digital security incident
Last year's cyberattack knocked out internet, Wi-Fi, printing, phones, and email for weeks, cutting visitor numbers. Services have fully rebounded, but the director warned the library's heavy reliance on public-facing technology leaves it uniquely vulnerable.
Healthy Homes and Power of Home homeowner grant programs
These programs give qualifying homeowners up to $50,000 each to fix health-and-safety barriers and electrify older homes. Healthy Homes funding expires at the end of 2026 with no rollover, so commissioners are pushing for targeted outreach — especially to immigrant, refugee, and non-English-speaking households — and sustainable funding.
Energy and gas shutoff moratorium amid ICE operations
Families afraid to leave home for work because of ICE raids risk having heat and power shut off in winter. The council asked Governor Walz to order a shutoff moratorium, waive late fees, and push Xcel Energy to offer help in Hmong, Karen, and Somali. Xcel has announced a voluntary, indefinite suspension of disconnections in the two cities.