City Council - January 21, 2026 1/21/2026

Name: January 21, 2026 City Council - January 21, 2026 Transcript
Uploaded: 2026-01-21
Description: Transcript of January 21, 2026 St. Paul City Council - January 21, 2026

Attachments

ROLL CALL
COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE
1. Designating Hnuchee Vang, Jodi Pfarr, and Nickolaus Stumo-Langer, Assistant Mayors, as authorized signers for contracts made in the name of the City of Saint Paul pursuant to Section 86.01 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code.
CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
2. Authorizing the City to apply to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Redevelopment program for a project at 642 Selby Avenue, "The Beasley", on behalf of the Rondo Community Land Trust.
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
3. Authorizing the use of a Project Labor Agreement for a 2028 federal funded Gold Line Pedestrian Improvements Public Works project.
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
4. Authorizing City officials to execute a grant agreement on behalf of the City for the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services 2026 Private Property Inflow & Infiltration Grant Program.
- 2026 PPII GA St Paul (1).pdf
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
5. Approving the application for a license for Gambit Brew Co LLC d/b/a Gambit Brewing for the Liquor On Sale-100 seats or less, Liquor On Sale-Sunday, Malt Off Sale (Growler)-Brew Pub & Entertainment (A) license (License ID # DSIBLLIQ-000345-2025) for the premises located at 141 4th St E, Suite LL2.
- Business Details Application
- License Application Notification
- License Condition Affidavit
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
6. Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the January 2026 Wage and Fringe Adjustment (Dues Only) between the City of Saint Paul and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82.
- Painters January 2026 MOA Wage & Fringe Adjustment (Dues Only)
FOR DISCUSSION
7. Celebrating 140 Years of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
8. Outlining the City's 2026 Legislative Agenda. (Laid over from January 21, 2026)
- (December 2025) 2026 Saint Paul City Council Legislative Priorities Presentation
- (December 2025) 2026 City Council Legislative Priorities
- (January 2026) 2026 Legislative Priorities Summary
- (January 2026) 2026 City of Saint Paul Legislative Priorities Presentation_01.21.pdf
- (February 2026) Saint Paul Legislative Platform
- (Adopted Version) 2026 Saint Paul Legislative Platform (to adopt 2/10)
- Passed 6-0-0 Laid Over
9. Calling on Governor Walz to pass an eviction moratorium through Executive Order to support Saint Paul in keeping families in their homes, and further protect them from ICE.
- Res 26-121 public comments
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted As Amended
SUSPENSION ITEM
Recognizing Friday, January 23, 2026, as a Day of Truth and Freedom.
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
10. Review of Emergency Management Services - Early Notification Systems (ENS).
ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.
Final Adoption
11. Modifying and establishing certain City Council staff positions in Chapter 16 of the Administrative Code.
- Staff Report
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
First Reading
12. Granting the application of Baillon Company to rezone four (4) I1 light industrial parcels to B5 central business-service.
- 500 Broadway Rezoning Planning Commission Resolution
- Planning Commission Minutes January 9, 2026
- 500 Broadway St Rezoning Staff Report Packet
- Zoning Committee Summary December 18, 2025
- 500 Broadway St 60-day Extension Letter
- Submittal Summary
SUSPENSION ITEM
Adding Chapter 268 to the Legislative Code to prohibit law enforcement staging operations on city-owned properties and limit access to non-public City spaces.
- Ord 26-5
- Ord 26-5 public comment
PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.
13. Changing references in the Legislative and Administrative Codes from Animal Control to Animal Services and correcting typographical errors.
- Staff report
- Passed 6-0-0 Laid Over to Final Adoption
14. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing and spending plan in the amount of $85,709 and to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to accept Solar on Public Buildings grant program funds for solar installation at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center.
- Dayton's Bluff Solar FS $85709
- Dayton's Bluff Solar Grant Agree
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
15. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing and spending plan, in the amount of $72,000, and to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to accept Solar on Public Buildings grant program funds for solar installation at Frogtown Community Center.
- Frogtown Solar FS $72K
- Frogtown CC Solar Agree
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
16. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept grant funding in the amount of $203,680.00 from the State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources (authorization to enter into a grant agreement detailing the requirements of said grant, and to amend the Department of Parks and Recreation Grant Fund to reflect said funds) to support Saint Paul’s tree planting program.
- Community Tree Planting Grant 2025 DNR (Forestry)
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
17. Authorizing execution of a grant agreement and amending the city’s 2026 operating budget to include a $100,000 donation from the Unity Church-Unitarian to support the work of the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission.
- Accepting a $100,000 donation from Unity Church-Unitarian
- Financial Analysis
- Signed Grant Agreement
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
18. Approving the petition of the Church of St. Bernard Inc., to vacate a portion of alley right-of-way in Block 1 of Barney, Norton and Kingsley's Second Addition to St. Paul, address 147 Geranium Avenue West.
- Exhibit A for File RE 06-2025
- Aerial view. alley to vacate . RE 06-2025
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
19. Approving the petition of the Friends of Nova Classical Academy, to vacate the air space over and across the intersection of Madison Street and Mercer Way.
- Exhibit A for File RE 07-2025
- Aerial view.vacate area.RE 07-2025
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted
20. Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.
- Public comments
- Passed 6-0-0 Received and Filed
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM
21. First Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1079 WESTERN AVENUE NORTH in Council File RLH SAO 25-71.
- 1079 Western Ave N.appeal.11-19-25.pdf
- 1079 Western Ave N.photos 11-12-25.pdf
- 1079 Western Ave N.email chain 11-19-25.pdf
- 1079 Western Ave N.Neely Ltr.11-26-25
- 1079 Western Ave N.photos 1-5-26.pdf
- 1079 Western Ave N.Neely Ltr.1-22-26
- Passed 6-0-0 Adopted As Amended
LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
22. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1762 ENGLEWOOD AVENUE. (File No. VB2510A, Assessment No. 258833)
- 1762 Englewood Ave.Reg Notice 11-27-24.pdf
- 1762 Englewood Ave.Warning Ltr 12-27-24.pdf
- 1762 Englewood Ave.Mortimer Ltr.6-12-25
- 1762 Englewood WP 7-11-25
- 1762 Englewood Ave.Zimny Eggen email chain.7-14-25
- 1762 Englewood Ave.Vang email 1-21-26.pdf
23. Appeal of Austen Fisher, SMRLS, on behalf of Tenant JLynne Reigns to a Fire Inspection Report, including a Condemnation Order to Vacate at 1891 SEVENTH STREET EAST #301.
- 1891 7th St E #301.appeal.12-30-25.pdf
- 1891 7th St E #301.Photos.12-23-25.pdf
- 1891 7th St E #301.photo submit 1-6-26.pdf
- 1891 7th St E #301-video of lights.mp4
- 1891 7th St E.Fisher Ltr.1-9-26
- Failed 6-0-0 Adopted
ADJOURNMENT
City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers. Council Meeting Information The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files, are over 1000 pages when printed. Web Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds (RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subs

ROLL CALL

City Council - January 21, 2026 1/21/2026

ROLL CALL

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

1. Designating Hnuchee Vang, Jodi Pfarr, and Nickolaus Stumo-Langer, Assistant Mayors, as authorized signers for contracts made in the name of the City of Saint Paul pursuant to Section 86.01 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code.

CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

2. Authorizing the City to apply to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Redevelopment program for a project at 642 Selby Avenue, "The Beasley", on behalf of the Rondo Community Land Trust.

3. Authorizing the use of a Project Labor Agreement for a 2028 federal funded Gold Line Pedestrian Improvements Public Works project.

4. Authorizing City officials to execute a grant agreement on behalf of the City for the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services 2026 Private Property Inflow & Infiltration Grant Program.

6. Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the January 2026 Wage and Fringe Adjustment (Dues Only) between the City of Saint Paul and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82.

FOR DISCUSSION

7. Celebrating 140 Years of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

8. Outlining the City's 2026 Legislative Agenda. (Laid over from January 21, 2026)

9. Calling on Governor Walz to pass an eviction moratorium through Executive Order to support Saint Paul in keeping families in their homes, and further protect them from ICE.

SUSPENSION ITEM

Recognizing Friday, January 23, 2026, as a Day of Truth and Freedom.

10. Review of Emergency Management Services - Early Notification Systems (ENS).

ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.

Final Adoption

11. Modifying and establishing certain City Council staff positions in Chapter 16 of the Administrative Code.

First Reading

12. Granting the application of Baillon Company to rezone four (4) I1 light industrial parcels to B5 central business-service.

SUSPENSION ITEM

Adding Chapter 268 to the Legislative Code to prohibit law enforcement staging operations on city-owned properties and limit access to non-public City spaces.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.

13. Changing references in the Legislative and Administrative Codes from Animal Control to Animal Services and correcting typographical errors.

17. Authorizing execution of a grant agreement and amending the city’s 2026 operating budget to include a $100,000 donation from the Unity Church-Unitarian to support the work of the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission.

18. Approving the petition of the Church of St. Bernard Inc., to vacate a portion of alley right-of-way in Block 1 of Barney, Norton and Kingsley's Second Addition to St. Paul, address 147 Geranium Avenue West.

19. Approving the petition of the Friends of Nova Classical Academy, to vacate the air space over and across the intersection of Madison Street and Mercer Way.

20. Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

21. First Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1079 WESTERN AVENUE NORTH in Council File RLH SAO 25-71.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

22. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1762 ENGLEWOOD AVENUE. (File No. VB2510A, Assessment No. 258833)

23. Appeal of Austen Fisher, SMRLS, on behalf of Tenant JLynne Reigns to a Fire Inspection Report, including a Condemnation Order to Vacate at 1891 SEVENTH STREET EAST #301.

ADJOURNMENT

ROLL CALL