Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saint Paul public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with low priority
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 new ordinance would create a licensing framework for mobile saunas on park land — a novel idea advancing through first reading.
Water service bill dispute
A homeowner on Larpenteur Avenue East is contesting her water bill, backed by months of daily consumption analysis on file.
HRA third-quarter budget performance
The HRA's quarterly budget-to-actual report came in but was pushed to the November 4 meeting for action.
Model Cities BROWNstone commercial loans
The board got its first look at upcoming action on Model Cities' BROWNstone commercial loans, ahead of a future vote.
Koom Siab Park naming
The Council officially approved the name "Koom Siab Park," a Hmong-centered name sponsored by Council Member Yang.
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.
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.
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.
Fire Department whole blood program funding
The fire department gets a $25,140.87 reimbursement from Regions EMS to support its whole blood program.
Webster Park renamed Barack and Michelle Obama Park
The council renamed Webster Park after the former President and First Lady — a permanent change to a neighborhood landmark.
Victoria Park renamed Brewer's Bluff Park
The park formerly known as Victoria Park is now Brewer's Bluff Park, following a Planning Commission recommendation.
Scooter and bike share contracts for 2026
Public Works got the green light to apply for a State Competitiveness Fund grant to support Evie Carshare and match a federal congestion and air quality grant.
Speedway #4420 tobacco license adverse action
The council approved the staff-recommended penalty against the tobacco shop license at the Speedway on West 7th Street after the licensee appealed for leniency.
Proposed HRA fund transfer to Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity
A presentation laid out a plan to move HRA funds to the Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity. It was informational only — no vote, so watch for this to come back.
City Council Legislative Attorney Analysis
The committee reviewed a legal analysis on the city's legislative attorney arrangement, including research on how Minneapolis handles independent legal counsel. This could shape how the council gets its own legal advice going forward.
St. Paul Port Authority 2027 budget
The Port Authority presented its 2027 budget to the council. It was received and filed with no vote.
Honorary street co-naming policy
The Council revived its honorary street co-naming practice and immediately used it to honor historian Mahmoud El-Kati, over one dissent.
Tobacco price minimum increase
Advocacy group ANSR presented on raising the city's minimum price for tobacco products, a move that would make cheap cigarettes and cigars more expensive locally. No ordinance was introduced and no vote was taken.
Energy Park Utility rate amendment
The council approved Energy Park Utility Company's request to amend its rates following a public hearing.
Neighborhood House Wellstone Center use agreement
The city swapped its prior lease with Neighborhood House for a new use agreement covering the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center, keeping the community organization operating there through 2040.
Parks grants and donations
The council accepted roughly $2.98 million total for parks: $2,907,008 in Parks and Trails Legacy Funds, $70,469.50 from Green Cities Accord for tree planting, and a $3,922 donation for the Dr. Justus O'Hage Memorial Restoration.
ST. PAWS LLC restitution
The council found the business violated city licensing chapters and ordered it to pay $40,201.23 in restitution.
Berry lawsuit settlement
The city settled Jon Berry's lawsuit, which also named Council Member Anika Bowie in her individual capacity, resolving the Ramsey County case without trial.
Green Line signal replacement
The city will partner with the Met Council and Ramsey County to replace traffic signal controllers along University Avenue's Green Line corridor.
Neighborhood STAR Business Grants
Grant funding was approved for RealBigHuge Brewing Company and a facade restoration at 712 Smith Avenue.
Solid Waste facility energy efficiency grant
The city accepted $50,000 from the MPCA for energy upgrades at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility, matched with $25,000 in city funds.
Cultural Destination Area Study
The committee got a first look at the executive summary of the Cultural Destination Area Study, which examines how Saint Paul can develop and promote cultural destination districts. It could shape future investment in neighborhoods known for arts, food, and culture.
Juneteenth 2026 Recognition
The council passed a resolution celebrating Juneteenth as a celebration of Black freedom, liberation, and resilience, with a mayoral proclamation and honors for 30,000 Feet and the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota pageant.
Black Music Month Recognition
The city's official recognition of June as Black Music Month and its third annual honorees celebrates Black musical artists' contributions to Saint Paul. It's a ceremonial honor with no policy or budget impact.
Hortman Day proclamation
The council proclaimed June 14, 2026, as Mark, Melissa and Gilbert Hortman Day, honoring the family's life and legacy with remarks from state legislators and Mayor Her.
Como Zoo tree planting grant
The city accepted $146,301.16 in state DNR grant money to plant trees at Como Zoo, adding no local cost beyond a budget line in the Grant Fund.
2170 Highwood Avenue tax assessments withdrawn
Four special tax assessments against a Highwood Avenue property were ratified as amended — with the assessments themselves deleted, meaning the city removed the charges after appeal.
Full Stack Saint Paul initiative update
Staff shared the latest on Full Stack Saint Paul, the city's economic development effort. The update was informational only.
Mobile saunas in Saint Paul parks
The city is exploring letting private vendors operate mobile saunas in parks, starting at Como, Lilydale, and Phalen. Vendors would need a city license, carry insurance, and pay about 10% of gross revenue.
Youth baseball and softball funding
$100,000 from the Minnesota Twins will fund youth baseball and softball through Parks and Rec — Council President Noecker, a Ward 2 parent, was visibly pleased.
SPNN takeover of meeting broadcast production
St. Paul Neighborhood Network staff, trained since February by city OTC staff, will take over day-to-day meeting production this month. The city frees up roughly 300 staff hours a year, and Ramsey County pays half the cost.
Green roof lot coverage fix
Final adoption of a scrivener's-error fix that lets projects add lot coverage when they provide functional green roof space.
Lowertown Sounds summer concerts
Mears Park's free Thursday concert series got its sound variance for summer 2026.
Cell tower antennas at 732 Central Avenue West
An interim use permit allows temporary cellular antennas on a 76-foot monopole after a public hearing where two people testified.
Honoring Yusuf Mgeni
The council honored the late civil rights leader, NAACP stalwart, and Rondo historian with a resolution, community testimony, and a mayoral proclamation declaring Yusuf Mgeni Day.
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.
Maryland Avenue Corridor Study
The city is partnering with Ramsey County to study the Maryland Avenue corridor — a step toward future transportation and land-use improvements there.
Osborn Plaza renamed Wabasha Park
The council recommended renaming Osborn Plaza to Wabasha Park so the space is clearly recognized as a public park.
Livable Communities Act grant applications
The city will apply for Met Council Livable Communities Act funds for site cleanup, predevelopment work and new construction or redevelopment projects citywide.
University Avenue MnDOT agreement
The Council authorized an agreement with MnDOT for work in the Highway 35E right of way as part of the University Avenue Project.
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.
Nuisance property declared at 594-596 Reaney Avenue
The Department of Safety and Inspections declared 594-596 Reaney Avenue a nuisance property; hearings will be scheduled later if necessary.
Tobacco license penalty — White Bear Tobacco
A shop that sold tobacco to an underage buyer twice in two years gets a $1,000 penalty plus the cost of the hearing it lost.
Eid al-Fitr recognition
The council honored Eid al-Fitr and the city's Muslim community, with members speaking against rising anti-Muslim sentiment nationally and celebrating local contributions.