Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saint Paul public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1201 Rice Street rezone
Rice Holding Co LLC is seeking to rezone 1201 Rice Street from traditional neighborhood to general business district — first reading only, with a final vote ahead.
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.
Nuisance abatement order appeals
Eight property owners appealed city nuisance abatement orders; several had their nuisances declared abated, and the Selby Avenue appellant got two extra weeks to comply.
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.
Capital City Bikeway easement at Smith Avenue ramp
The bikeway project needs temporary access to the Smith Avenue Parking Ramp and Transit Center site, and District Heat needs a permanent easement there to keep service running. Clearing these easements keeps the downtown bikeway build moving.
2027 Office of Neighborhood Safety budget
The Office of Neighborhood Safety presented its proposed 2027 budget. The office runs violence-prevention and community safety programming across Saint Paul.
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.
Goodrich Avenue zoning appeal
A resident challenged a Board of Zoning Appeals ruling on a building permit at 2094 Goodrich Avenue; the Council denied the appeal, letting the permit approval stand.
Police grants and donations
The police department accepted $22,000 from the Saint Paul Police Foundation plus a 2027 traffic-safety enforcement grant to fund crash-prevention overtime.
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.
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 city is considering a formal set of standard operating procedures for honorary street co-namings and reviewing how street naming currently works under Sec. 73.04. This affects how residents and organizations can propose honoring individuals on city streets.
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.
Street sweeping and water quality grants
Public Works got added federal and state grant money for the Safe Streets For All road safety project, plus watershed district grant funds for extra street sweeping.
Sewer Revenue Bonds Series 2026D (Green Bonds)
The council authorized green sewer revenue bonds to fund sewer utility work.
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.
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.
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.
City-funded legal counsel in Mayor Her lawsuit
The council extended one special counsel and hired Greene Espel to decide whether Mayor Kaohly Her gets city-paid defense in a lawsuit brought by Axel Henry. It's a question of who pays when the mayor is personally sued.
Newcomer Services
A staff report on how the library serves immigrants and newcomers was referred for more consideration, returning October 7, 2026.
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.
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.
Solar and tree-planting grants
The city accepted $108,080 in state grant money to install solar panels at Hayden Heights Library, trimming energy costs at a well-used public building.
Como Friends donation to Como Zoo
The council accepted $2.9 million in state funding to support arts and cultural heritage programming at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Salt storage regulation ordinance
The council took public testimony and approved a revised version of rules governing salt storage, then set final adoption for October 7.
Xcel Energy franchise agreements and fees
Final approval of updated gas and electric franchise terms and new franchise fee appendices for Xcel Energy, which generate revenue for city services.
Endicott Arcade restoration and downtown activation
Downtown Vitality Funds will pay for restoring the historic Endicott Arcade and activating its first floor — part of the effort to bring people and businesses back to downtown Saint Paul.
Village on Rivoli — property sale to Dayton's Bluff NHS
The city is selling property to Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services and amending the development agreement for the Village on Rivoli project, keeping the affordable housing effort moving on the East Side.
Fire Department burn building restoration
A $1.25 million federal earmark will restore and rebuild the fire department's burn training building — the facility firefighters use for live-fire training.
Dust Mitigation Ordinance Proposal
The city is exploring a dust mitigation ordinance that could set new rules for dust from construction, unpaved surfaces, or industrial operations. The proposal was only received and filed — the committee has not adopted anything yet.
Transit-oriented development on city/HRA land
The committee got a first look at which city- and HRA-owned properties could support housing or businesses near transit. Identifying the right sites now sets the stage for future development decisions.
947 Fremont Avenue abatement enforcement
A rehabilitation project that was 0% complete two weeks ago and 5% complete now faces escalating penalties: $2,500 forfeited now and every 45 days until the work is finished.
Police Department federal microgrant application
The police department wanted to apply for Justice Department micro-grants (materials referenced a drone program), but the council delayed a week after concerns were raised. Residents may weigh in before the September 9 decision.
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.
2026 Street Paving and Lighting Projects Continued
The city's 2026 mill and overlay program grinds down and repaves worn streets. The committee reviewed the presentation covering which streets get treated and how the program is scoped.
Friends of the Library gift
The library's nonprofit fundraising partner gave $580,461, accepted along with a matching change to the 2026 spending plan.
Supportive housing variance denials (Sherburne and Farrington)
The council finalized denials of two appeals seeking zoning variances for supportive housing facilities — 24 residents at 418 Sherburne Avenue and 11 residents at 519 Farrington Street. Both had been rejected by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Residential Permit Parking Area 23 expansion
A proposal to add Princeton Avenue and part of Mount Curve Boulevard to permit parking Area 23 drew public testimony; a motion to deny the change failed 0-7, and the item's final status was not recorded as approved.
Tax Increment Financing update
TIF lets the city redirect the property tax growth from new development to pay for the projects that created it. The update showed how the city's TIF districts are performing against their budgets.
Catholic Charities operations update
Catholic Charities Twin Cities was scheduled to give the committee an update on its operations, with a slide deck prepared for the presentation. Its programs touch homelessness services and sheltering in Saint Paul.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) update
The city gave a first look at a TIF plan for Galtier Plaza downtown, a financing tool that redirects future property tax growth to support redevelopment. Action is expected at a later meeting.
Department of Safety and Inspections 2027 Budget
The city's proposed 2027 spending for the Department of Safety and Inspections was presented to the Budget Committee. The department handles inspections, licensing, and code enforcement that affect rental housing, building permits, and business operations.
Interim Fire Chief appointed
An administrative ordinance set up the Qualifications and Examining Committee required to hire the next fire chief, with union support voiced at the hearing; final adoption comes August 26.
Affordable housing and CDBG funding shifts
Budget amendments received and filed direct $254,961 in CDBG funds to rehab 47 Douglas Street and $785,598 in LAHA funds to an affordable housing development gap subsidy, plus $140,000 for demolitions.