Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saint Paul public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
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.
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.
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.
HUD funding for Hayden Heights and Riverview library reconstruction
The library scored $3.15 million in federal HUD money to rebuild the Hayden Heights branch. Reconstruction moves forward with federal dollars rather than local tax money.
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.
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.
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.
Rondo Community Library
The board got a progress report on the Rondo Community Library and filed it without action.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Special Edition Library Card
Staff will present a special edition library card — a small but visible community engagement effort for cardholders.
Emergency rental assistance partnership with Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation
The board received an update on how the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is operating, keeping track of support for renters at risk of falling behind.
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.
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.
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.
Water service bill dispute
A homeowner on Larpenteur Avenue East is contesting her water bill, backed by months of daily consumption analysis on file.
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.
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.
Koom Siab Park naming
The Council officially approved the name "Koom Siab Park," a Hmong-centered name sponsored by Council Member Yang.
Garbage service rates for 2027
An ordinance setting new base-level garbage rates effective January 1, 2027 was advanced and will return for a final vote — it will show up on residents' bills.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Barndominium alternative housing
New Ulm's city manager presented on barndominiums — a low-cost alternative housing model — covering zoning barriers, financing, and whether it can scale. Saint Paul is evaluating whether such models fit its housing needs.
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.
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.
2027 City Budget Proposal
The City Attorney's Office laid out its proposed 2027 spending plan. Its work covers legal services for the city, prosecutions, and code enforcement matters that affect neighborhood conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
The Aragon Development affordable housing
The Aragon at 470 White Bear Avenue just got its 2027 low-income housing tax credits reserved — a make-or-break funding source for affordable housing projects. This moves the East Side project forward.
2026 Bond Sales and Tax Levy
Saint Paul landed about $82 million in state bonding, including $13 million for West 7th utilities, money for Como Zoo, $10 million for metropolitan parks, and an extension of bonding funds for the Saint Paul inclusive playground.
2027 Capital Improvement Budget
The proposed 2027 Capital Improvement Budget was presented — this is the funding plan for streets, buildings, parks and other long-lived city assets.
State housing funding applications for Saint Paul projects
The HRA reserved city funds to back Saint Paul projects applying to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Matching local dollars can strengthen those applications and bring more affordable housing resources to the city.