a meeting of the same health City Council to order Roll call. Please game Pilly Coleman here, Johnson toast here, Here comes PRESIDENT Acre here, 5 present to absent those being fully and Johnson and they are excuse. Welcome to everyone who braved the snow and slush to join us at our council meeting today. We really appreciate you being here, especially want to thank students from Saint Agnes. I hear you are visiting us today. Welcome. Thanks for your interest in civic participation. You cannot use this video to tell your teacher you were here. Invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Is there? And one under Consent agenda items 3 through 18 or before you for your consideration. And my understanding is that 7.14 are
being But is there anything to be taken for separate consideration? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from this Coleman to aprove the balance of the consent agenda on favor. Say Aye. I'll post 5 in favor. None opposed. The consent agenda is aopted Item-number 14 7 are withdrawn. Take a motion from shows to suspend the rules all in favor say Aye. All opposed. 7 5 in favor not oppose. The rules are suspended resolution 25 dash 1980, off. The City Council actions in response to sppd conduct during federal immigration enforcement. Great. I want first of all, thank the community for your patience. And we had planned to take this matter up. Last week, we wanted to make sure we had enough time to do this. Not just with urgency do it
right. I really want to thank council member woman and her office for their leadership getting this into its final form. It's coming. I'm gonna turn it over to you just to say a few words about what's of us. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT. For weeks the federal government has been actively targeting and terrorizing our city and our community members. The detaining people for doing nothing but showing up for work that day. Everything families apart and they're passing on a mat unimaginable levels of harm to and fear and our city's residents, immigrant and nonimmigrant alike. NOVEMBER 25th ice agents came for neighbors in the pain failing neighborhood. Shortly after their arrival officers from the Saint Paul Police Department arrived on the scene in riot gear. Evidently following a request for assistance from federal agents. Firsthand accounts and video footage has that our
officers deployed tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets. Checking members of the public where they're exercising their constitutional right to observe and to protest council vice PRESIDENT And journalists. In recent years, the Saint Paul Police Department has been a source of pride for many in Saint Paul. Leaders in our city within outside of the plice department has spent years putting policies and procedures in place to ensure that excellence is not just expected that required. People across our community have taken comfort knowing that our police department was committed relationship, building community outreach and true public safety. Well, we saw NOVEMBER 25th was police behavior that failed to come even close to me. That bar. Police behavior that failed us. The series of events that unfolded has raised a number of questions, questions about decision-making within the police department. The actions
of individual officers as they relate use of force policy. And questions regarding the effectiveness of our city separation ordinance. Further additional ice actions in recent weeks have led to community demands for us to do more to safeguard our public spaces. And our community members themselves from federal immigration enforcement. Before us is a resolution committing the council are the council's commitment to the residents of the city of Saint Paul. That what happened on NOVEMBER? 25th and that what continues to happen as ice operates in our city. It's not going to be forgotten or moved past. There's currently an investigation being conducted by the police, internal Integrity, Assurance Unit that will compile a record of what exactly happened on the 25th,
what decisions were made and by whom and other information relevant processing violations of our use of force policy and separation ordinance. That record will be closely reviewed by this council. Simultaneously. We'll be working with the Board of Peace officer standards and training to ensure there's a thorough investigation into the use of force by sppd in the 2020 on the 25th. And with our Office of Financial Services to conduct a complete financial audit of that day's events. As these investigations proceed will be undertaking a review of our separation ordinance in JANUARY and acted to strengthen it if and when necessary. Finally, we'll continue to move quickly and other policy response is called for by the public, including options to limit gatherings sites for ice in our city. None of this is enough to undo the harm caused 2 weeks ago. But a critical part of sitting on the city
council is making sure that our city's policies are meeting the moment that we're in and the needs of our communities today. Well, we saw 2 weeks ago is that we have serious work to do to ensure that we are fulfilling that responsibility forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues to continue to do just Thank you so much was coming. And again, thank you for your hard work along with others of our colleagues as well to make sure that we have this resolution in front of us today. I will take that motion for the resolution. Is there any discussion of the motion? Thank you, council PRESIDENT. I echo what you shared. Councilmember Coleman. There's definitely a lot that I want to say. And on when first want to say is thank you to council vice PRESIDENT NOVEMBER 25th when the operations to place by hsi. I was on maternity leave
and I got acall from you at that morning to let me know about what was happening. And even today you are the first person that called me to let me know up all presence. That was that he's a park and recreation center, which to me is just someone except unacceptable for that to be happening right here at home in our communities. And I can't say enough just how like for me as a as a Councilmember lake, unacceptable it is that that is happening because it's going to be driving so many families away from these public spaces that we have claim to be safe, a place of sanctuary for them and hs a daughter refugees as somebody who, you know, I was born here in Minnesota, but I will never forget the story even my people who had to leave their
countries, you know, for over many centuries. And I even that by our people had to had to leave their country and cross borders to be received refuge. Also the fact that we are here in this country because our people recruited by the usda and then left to die in the jungles with that with the Secret War was lost, which is a Secret which is to cover it where that happened during the Vietnam War in Seoul. To me like you what we are talking about here I think that it is issue that really is beyond, you know, even just conversations to be had here in the city, really a power the state of our country and about how in a country. We also have to recognize that we are a part of the atrocities injustices that are happening globally. And we take part in that and we have to figure out a way to stop that from
happening. And so as I look in room today, I see the faces of so many people and also don't want to recognize that there are many people who art here in the chambers both were present on NOVEMBER 25th as a part of a rapid response effort to observe and make sure that there wasn't any sort of violations are and just really tip attacked each other as a community. And I really believe we continue speaking out again against the injustices here because we know that love is the foundation of our community here and you are asked Jean as each other and that means having to uplift each other and hilty outer village. I very supportive of the solution here. I believe that really is all encompassing many of the the concerns that we've been hearing from that residence near and far who've been communicating to the
council about the operations that took place. And I also want to name I think that this is not going to be the one. Also, Lcian, MAY we know that these sort of operations are going to continue happening. I also want to name that for me like a point of tension that I have, too is I think well, know, really figuring out like making sure that we move on a quick timeline. That is really important to me. And as a council, even having larger conversations on policies is very important to like one of the I'm a first feel policies that I think that I would really like for us to act on if don't have this in place to be making sure that the do not allow for our police officers and really, frankly, even federal agents to be staging their operations in our public
spaces like library parking lots and rec centers. And that's what happened on NOVEMBER. 25th. Arlington Hills Library and Back Center center and had to go into lockdown and families had to make a choice on whether they were going to leave or not. And that's a choice that I don't have to want to have to have families have to make in the obviously are coming there for many be tipping touted sheet of paper or were to be pike to bring the kids there to play. Also, in addition to that, I also want to that point out that, you know, like him, I councilmember, we have staff members. So we are pretty much know. We are supervisors having to give direction and I feel really unsettled with the fact that I think, you know, as a city, we are in a place where there's so much area grade where we haven't figured a lot of
things out, especially what happens and how we're going to take action when ice and hsi is here in area city to literally kidnap and detain people from our community. And so to me, like that's really important because as somebody who is in that role of a of a supervisor, it's really important to me that you're really clear expectations and protocols and power also crafting together, you know, with either staff members and committee members the to look to figure out what that looks like. And I ultimately like I want us to be really clear about that. But I don't see how police officers also know like what is expected of them as they're doing the groundbreaking the committee.
And so that really is larger conversation that I believe is a work in progress. And the conversation for us to have a law center committee members and also really to pull in Army or police chief. Thank you for being here. And to that conversation as well. Because I I don't want to be in a place where because of that area of gray, there are police officers in our city. We're basically scapegoated because we don't even until have policies in place that are going to be get that going to to us us to a place of clarity. So I'm very committed to that. And again, I just want to say thank you so much to everybody who cares so deeply about our immigrant refugee community. I think a lot about the words from Georgia, Fort who is an
independent journalist and also owner of Black and also the East side, too. We are she said, mean, it was really important for her to get back into her babys. At the the day. And as a mom, that is also really important to me to. And I know that every single person out there during operations like, you know, you all we all have people. We wanted to get back to in the day. And that's why for us. Ultimately it was so important to speak up and speak out against injustice happening also really to work collectively on making sure that we're keeping families together. And so thank you to those of you who have been so bold and courageous unapologetic about doing that. And I believe that there really is a way forward. And I look forward to. What will come out of a resolution here. So thank calling for really taking the lead u n your Jenny on crafting the language for
this and working with their state attorneys and also engaging with the cast members about this, too. Thank you. Missing. That's present. Yeah, I appreciate it. I'm very grateful for tis resolution. I will say that. We are at least my office's hearing, very clear demands for there to be more of a public forum, friends, folks to come forward and speak about their experiences. I know that I have the ability to set the stylus and talk about my personal experience is that day, which I had a chance to speak to the chief with, but we're on. I think the quote that I used in the word they used was important. And so I really, really and I know that the council PRESIDENT And I and cons marrying in Ireland on this, but like we need a space for community, for our police
officers to come forward for the council come forward hold space for community too, not even air their grievances share what they experienced at the hands of her own police force that day. I also want to name that the posturing of the way that Sppd showed up was actually not expected in a very usual demeanor of how spb at times will come forward and behave in communities of color. And that is something that we as activists and organizers and communities of color and immigrants know all too well. We see that during the uprising and during when we're out in the streets, there are times where they're posturing is the escalation. And when they show up in riot gear is the escalation. There's a lengthy and well documented history o over-policing in our communities. And I know that is one that our chief is adamant about reforming and at
the same time, the way that they showed up from my first hand experience was anything. But what they will be here. They are trained which is de-escalation community building and trust building. I also one minute 2 weeks ago is another day for our communities that they live at the mercy of our broken immigration system. Tis is not something that we experienced last Tuesday. I was already out at 2 different sites today, myself as an observer to make sure that ice was not present. But are immigration system is apparently broken. And so the best we can do right now is to quite frankly activate. I've said this multiple times in different interviews. But if you have citizenship privilege
now is the time to act. It is not enough for us to share resources already even donate legal aid. We need folks to be a part of rapid response right now. Ice agents in Minneapolis are pulling people out of cars. They're walking into restaurants, locking both the front and bck door and demanding to identification for everyone inside that restaurant. In Richfield. They're pointing guns at observers. They're resting observers. I cannot emphasize enough this moment in history. The time is now if you ever believed in a resistance or greater hope for a future that is worth fighting for. This is the time to take a stand and then moment cannot be more dire. It is now and there's a lot of grief involved. This is not the life that I thought we would have. This is not the life that I think any of us deserve. But the time is now.
So please, I I beg of everyone get trained, become a constitutional observer. I went to the Wipple building before in this morning for a check. And for someone that seeking seeking asylum here in the United States, my office is reading a letter of recommendation for someone that needs to file asylum. People work. We need to be doing more as individuals and you need to we need to be doing more than jst sending money to Yes, please do They absolutely Germany. But I just cannot emphasize enough how dire this moment is and we need people to act and we need people to do it safely and principally, so please get trained. Please connect with people that are part of these trainings. When you show up that you are also safe and they are also protected. The last is just how I just want
to emphasize again, there was incredible indiscriminate deployment of chemical agents against PRESIDENT Residents that I also experience and it cannot be justified under any professional policing standards and demands immediate accountability. Residents deserve to know how their decisions, how decisions were made to authorize chemical weapons in their neighborhoods and how much the operation cost our taxpayers and whether or not most importantly, it violated our separation ordinance. The consequences deploying chemical weapons. Extend far beyond immediate physical harm, the faction relationships between police and the communities that they serve. And as someone that was tear gassed, maced and hit by a non be a less lethal, which is a wild way to talk about. If police accidentally hit you with something that you're not, you shouldn't die from
it. It just goes beyond anything that I think all of us have talked about this table. And think about community safety. So residents absolutely deserve to know how much taxpayer money was spent on that and more than ever, we deserve to know who made that call for them to show up from the time the call that happened. Who made the decision for police to shopping right there. And I asked that question on the scene. The person in charge don't know who they wear. I said I'm the vice PRESIDENT's Temple City Council. Why are you here? Who who deployed you? And those answers went. Completely ignored. Residents who watched officers, gas or streets now question whether not law enforcement prior pub prioritizes public safety or simply asserts dominance through force. I'm committed t working with my colleagues to
strengthen our separation ordinance and explore avenues to ensure our residents don't experience this again. But want to tell you that every single person had the same experiences I did with Sppd. That is a fact. When I tell you that I saw 30 full lot of tear gas filled the air on Payne Avenue and our own police force shoot indiscriminately through the fog. Not know who they would head. I'm telling that that is ubiquitously the experience that everyone else experienced. The very last thing that I'll say. Is there's also a question our press was attacked and targeted. What I witnessed that day was our press moving as a collective together? There were few times when folks broke the line. It was a massive press to make sure that they were documenting for transparency for our community
than to use the information to demand accountability. And there's no doubt in my mind that the police knew exactly who was in the crowd. They were following very closely. They were very well identified, very well marked and again, throughout the day, which I spent 8 hours there and they all move together. And tere's no doubt in my mind that they knew who was in who is in the crowd and they still chose to shoot indiscriminately into the crowd and to a fog of tear gas. And this is not this is not. This is so beyond what you deserve. And now what community deserves the opportunity speak face-to-face with our police department and our council on on their own grievances, their experiences. I think we also have to be
rooted in the fact that communities of color have been over police and have been experiencing police violence in a way that now that this conversation is at the table, we have to also center their voices and bring opportunities for folks to organize and bring their people. I want to name one in particular there is an organization that I personally have been a part of for many, many yars, even during the uprising communities and plice violence. And they are connected to families that are impacted by police violence. We need to bring their voices to the table. And the last thing is and again, just very grateful that we're here and that. Thank Councilmember Colin common for like navigating this for us. I don't. I don't know if quite frankly, I would have sort of like the mental emotional and physical capacity to do this. I really appreciate how it's
come to the table. But now more than ever we have to deliver for our constituents is accountability. Accountability reports accountability their force and cannot come back. Accountability in the way we will remedy. This is not enough for us to say something wrong. Happened. We also have reform what's happening. Thank Present him. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT. I want also thank council member Coleman. And all my colleagues at this table for all of your effort and your work on this and especially for your remarks and council vice PRESIDENT For you for being and also want to recognize consular Johnson calls we were not at the table with us today, but they also did help in the work they're council is taking on the last 2 weeks. I also want to take the opportunity to thank the
people that showed up to the truth and taxation hearing that was on the same day. We we said here we listened to folks that entire night and I just really appreciate again there, their courage to show up many people showed up at a on Rose Street earlier that day and then also showed up that night to share their stories. I think I just want to recognize there's 2 issues that we're talking about here. One is the presence of federal agents in our city almost every week. It's felt like last several weeks. And additionally, particularly with the what took place at Roche Street a few weeks ago, what brought this resolution forth was sp role that day their conduct. And the now taking action to to coordinate
an investigation around that conduct. S there are 2 things were talking about. I think that when I reflect on the last several weeks and what we've been experiencing nrc, it's it's truly heartbreaking. It's not what I imagine for our community as someone that has, you lived in Saint Paul most her life and now is and the position of an elected official and that is not aligned with the vision and the values that we hold in our city. So I just really appreciate everyone's work on this and I look forward to the next steps of everything that we've outlined in this resolution. Thank you, Councilmember Justin, thank you to all my colleagues for powerful on this. I realize that the beginning, I forgot to also thank my legislative aide making jacket who got initial data after the resolution ready. So thank you to check it for doing that. I do. The only thing that all at what's already been
said is that. I really appreciate how this resolution is responsive to what we've been hearing. I think our council is doing our job is being the voice of the people we represent to ask those questions and to demand that accountability. And it also uses all the tools at our disposal to do that. And I think what took us sometimes to figure out not just what words can be put on a piece of paper. What actions can we take the minute this is adopted? Because what we put on a piece of paper doesn't matter to But to anybody, if we can't do anything with it. And so the work we did was to figure out what our powers one of our powers as financial oversight. So that's the audit that's figuring out how much public money was spent NOVEMBER. 25th. One of our powers as partnership. That's asking the passport to work with us on that investigation of the use of force and then one of our powers and maybe most important and direct
power is legislation and our separation ordinance is within our own power to analyze. We need to wait for something else to do that. And that's the conversation we're going to be having. That's the public conversation we're going to be having council vice PRESIDENT. I look forward to planning that together with you and our clleagues, but we can start that immediately. So I think this uses all of our powers and that also balances, things that we know will take some time like a post investigation and things that can happen in the mid medium term like an audit and things that can happen starting tomorrow. With that analysis of our separation so thank you again. Devon's had a hand in this. I think that there's no further discussion. We will take a vote. On favor, say Aye. I post 5 in favor nt oppose. The resolution is adopted. Item. Number 19 is resolution. 25 dash 1914, outlining the city's 2026
legislative agenda. This week on the business of very hard pivot. I again want to thank everyone who's here for that last item. One, a welcome of Eric Petersen from governmental relations stunt Ifas. And I want to start with just a bit context from my colleagues and for the public every year the city adopts a legislative agenda, which is the city's priorities to advocate for the legislature. This year, we worked hard together on an ordinance that said that we need to adopt that legislative agenda. Having presented to us by the second week of DECEMBER because what we don't want to have happen is to have our staff up at the legislature, lobbying for something that we haven't actually seen are approved as a council. That is our authority. We adopted that ordinance that required this
legislative agenda to be presented to us today. And that's what's happening. However, what our ordinance didn't contemplate. Here's what happened this year, which is well mayoral transition. And because we have a new administration because we have a new mayor who hasn't yet had a chance, frankly, didn't to sit down with All the other things that she's doing and make sure that this is what the administration wants to present its legislative agenda. We didn't want to present something here to us in to the public. That was just going to be changed later. So in order to follow the ordinance, we are having a presentation, legislative parodies today, but mostly what staff will be presenting is the City council's articulated parities to be built into the legislative agenda. Saff will then be
back in front of us no later than JANUARY. 21st, which is still a fall almost a month before session begins with the final legislative agenda for consideration and discussion and and a mendacious. So just want to give that context because when this council we don't like to just immediately you're off of But in this case, I think it warrants making an exception because we have a new mayor, the new administration. So with that, hopefully a tap dance long enough for the tech not to get no result. Soon going to turn it over to Eric Peterson to talk to us about. The legislative. Thanks the PRESIDENT. I think love warm and is helping me with the technology we can kind of get started on the first couple science. Hopefully you have those in front of you so we can.
Talk through that. Just wanted to highlight. These are the priorities that Director House and I had met with you all during the summer and fall as you stated. So walk through that. But as want to start with some of the like the groundwork in the framework of what we kind of know right now as of DECEMBER. And as we're going into the legislative session in FEBRUARY. So last week and then be the NOVEMBER forecast, which you know, twice a year. We do that NOVEMBER. And then again, late FEBRUARY, early MARCH. The late FEBRUARY early MARCH is you know, the numbers that the state of Minnesota and the Legislature used to determine what kind of budget targets if there would be. We are going into a year where this would be a supplemental
budget or any kind of a new spending or adjustments to what the state had done this last year for the current budget. And so. The numbers that you see show about 2.0, 4, 6, 5 billion dollar surplus in this current biennium. But then there's a short fall about 2.9 billion dollars fiscal years. 2029, which we talk about us the out years. So some of those structural imbalances morning. Kind of show that that's off about 1.8 billion. It was when we had this conversation in MARCH. And so to increase by almost a billion dollars spend think that kind of help with that health care spending with a huge increase of the cost as well as just spending by just average consumers in the state and You know, what people are buying for kind of the drivers
there. So and then obviously we have inflation. And then there's some unknowns with the bill that the federal government passed earlier this year as well with some unknowns and out your budget. One thing that I wanted to highlight was under new negotiation piece that got added as the debt There's a debt service of about 1.0, 1, 6, 5 billion dollars. That's assume for in the budget by Evan b, what that means, though, is that in the past, that's what they would tell the legislature like this is how large or bonding bill can be. If you are touching one. But now the new rules are going to apply is that the leaders will have to negotiate with that number will be as they negotiate budget targets. So as of right now, you'll see that largest bill that they could do it at this time with the numbers they see from
having to be as 1.1, 6, 5, could be lower, but that's what they can do now. So that's kind of where that that and just a couple important dates 12 o'clock noon on FEBRUARY 17th at this Tuesday. That's when they all reconvene. And then they have to constitutionally a juror in by midnight on Sunday. MAY May 17th going into Monday. MAY 18th. Are you want to make a pass for questions or just kind of time. Just keep ging out there. And should feel free ask as we Just as share, there's couple changes that have happened at the legislature since we've spoken. So there's 2 special elections, one in the what variant Eastern part of Maplewood. And then there was one out and the western part of Hennepin County and then the majority of Wright County, those ball state in the same party control. And so
at this point right now, it's 34 33 in the Senate for Senate control for the dfl. What majority Leader Murphy, PRESIDENT Champion and then a minority leader Johnson. And the House. We have 2 special elections happening in As you stated, Mayor elect her will be assuming office in JANUARY. She has resigned from her seat. So there will be a special election here in Saint Paul in JANUARY. And then there's also a special election for that seat that I mentioned and Woodbury and Maplewood. That representative became a senator. And so that seat is now an open election seats too sits down for the Democrats currently. And then those will happen in JANUARY. The leaders to or hear Speaker day math and then our new dfl leader, Zach Stevenson from Rapids, took over for the late speaker emerita most apartment and then we saw leader the
floor leader and then gop has lead earnest go there as well. As I mentioned in the past, these are where some of our delegation members are says our House delegation chairs represent press pega and the House and then over bait and the Senate we have also represent half of the weapon. Then some of the chairs to just All right. We're we're not having a public hearing right I'm going ask you to stop speaking out not having a public hearing. This comes mentioned the 3rd 2026 city Council legislative priorities that you've all met with Director House. Am. I'm going to ask you again, not entrapped and the If you're going speaking during our meeting, have to recess until we can have order and very sorry we're not going
public. Please continue. So as you categorize the in the resolution and the motion that you guys made earlier this we're going to have to Sorry, we're gonna have reassess your zoom. All the meeting of the Saint Paul City Council back to order all copies, Colin here, Johnson toast. PRESIDENT Hear 5 PRESIDENT Not absent those absent being fully and Johnson in their excuse. All right. Thanks to everyone for your patience during that recess. Apologies for that disruption. We're going to continue with our agenda. I'm gonna make a motion over item 19, too. DECEMBER 17th. There any discussion of that motion? Seeing none all in favor say Aye. A post 5 in favor. None opposed. Resolution is laid over to DECEMBER 17th.
number Twenty's ordinance 25 Dash 4 ending the title from any kind 4 of the administrative code to at after 92 title Tree Preservation for city sponsored projects And this is also I'm also gonna make a motion to leave this over. Unfortunately, the folks who are here to testify on this item had to leave during a recess. So I'll make that motion any discussion. And start to DECEMBER 17th. This is not going to be the first for final adoption. The 17th will be before us for 8 or calling me t update. And we'll talk more about that next week. There's no discussion all in favor of over for one week. Please say Aye. All opposed. in favor. None opposed. The ordinance is laid over to DECEMBER 17 item number. 21 is ordinance. 25 dash 72 mending temper 60 61, 68 72 of the
legislative code pertaining to the Mississippi River. Critical quarter critical area in the floodplain management overlay districts. All right. This is the first for a final adoption after a long time of discussion and many, many of staff work. So I want to. Thanks, Steph. First of all, for all of your work on this, especially MISTER Johnson and I will I will move approval and see if there's any discussion or comments from my colleagues. All right, seeing none all in favor say aye. I opposed 5 in favor. None opposed to ordinances adopted a number. 22 is ordinance. 25 Dash 78. Establishing chapter 15 of the Administrative code to establish define structure quarterly reporting requirements for certain
personnel vacancies. Overtime utilization. This is our long-awaited vacancies over utilization report. I want to thank my colleagues for the dedication to seeing this through and taken a long time. I'll take a motion from council vice PRESIDENT Can for approval. Any discussion. Seeing none all in favor say Aye. I post 5 in favor. Nne opposed ordinances adopted item number. 23 is ordinance. 25 Dash 79 mending Chapter 107, of the administrative code pertaining to improvements to the planning Commission process. And this is first reading. So we will have a staff report. Welcome up. Dr Mann and Robinson. Council PRESIDENT Council members. excited to be here today with Yasmin Robinson planning director in pd. Our Planning Commission provides an important role in our city but
hasn't changed in farm since the 1970's. So lots of other things, though, have changed straight technologies. Change city processes have changed. Redevelopment of all changing flat in the last 50 plus years. So we're bringing forward updates the planning commission now so that it can have the tools and the opportunity to operate in a way that is more accessible, transparent, equitable and efficient. But best of all these improvements cost nothing so Robinson will now go through the updates in more detail. Welcome them. Thank you. Council. PRESIDENT Council members I think I would like to use the voice activated project or if possible. You said the right
words. Sometimes it just takes a moment. So voice activated sector is still here. Now see the voice activated, Thank you. Council. PRESIDENT Council members. Thank you. Director McMahon excited to bring Some recommendations to today to esure inaccessible transparent. And equitable efficient planning process. The so the goals, as I mentioned, our accessible, transparent, equitable, efficient to achieve these goals. There's 3 recommendations. First is to reduce the size in streamline the organization. Planning Commission to improve and modernize public noticing and to make some other non legislative policy change this. The first recommendation
is taking the commission from 21 to 7 with 2 at-large altered its and rolling the subcommittee business into regular Commission business. This would be consistent with the way the Planning Commission's function around the country. Existing commissioners would roll off their term in the year 2026. Until w've reached one commissioner per Ward. Steph projects that we would reach that number in year 2026. Rowling. The committee work into the main body would result in some process changes for a zoning application. This would mean removing the zoning committee step. The stoning case in the public hearing could occur at the same meeting at the Planning Commission. You can also see
in the Red circle that the amount of public hearings does not change. For zoning studies. There's a larger positive impact, reducing the minimum number of days from 100. And 26 to 82. This result also in no loss in public comment and would make the process easier for people to follow. Since there would not be a back and forth between the committee case. So the benefits of this reduction in the size and streamlining the Oregon reorganization would improve meeting efficiency. So that everyone would get all of the same information at the same time. That includes the commissioners and the public. Clear and concise process for the public and applicants would allow for a zoning application to have a public hearing and a decision at the
same meeting if desired. This would also make it easier commitment for commissioners sometimes do 46 meetings a month. This would bring it down to 2. And then we make it easier to recruit people. There's a lot of, you know, our lives are all can be sort of inflexible. Childcare. There's jobs taking off that many meetings can sometimes be a pardon. Can exclude people don't have jobs that are as flexible as others. The second hit of the second recommendation is related to ems. The early notification system, which I know you're familiar with. Ems was created for residents to sign up for email notifications about different city activities. We send out notifications when receive an application, something you know, like for a
conditional use permit. Where is zoning application so we're recommending to bring the subdivision application Ens Public Review, period down from 45 days to 30 days to be in line with the other types of applications that we see. This would give us a little bit more room for 1 99 to progress. Basically That's that. Basically we wait. 45 days when the application is complete. And so there's just a 45 day kind of sitting there, period. A lot of other applications that we have are in the 30 day category. So just trying to bring that line with what we have. And then lastly, there are some non legislative policy changes, including updating the planning Commission bylaws. We would be able to move the planning commission from te basement room. 42 here in the
council chambers where obviously adequate audio and additional resources. The audience, the applicants and the commissioners would all be able to see and hear the discussions, which is something that people struggle with now currently. It's set up for public hearings. The staff wouldn't have to move all of the tables and that set up wouldn't have to go hoping that the tv is there to do presentations and there'd be room for everyone. Sometimes in route 40, depending on the item can get a bit crowded. And I want to make sure that anyone who is taking the time to come down to a meting. Can see here participate in the in the way that they want to.
Strikes me that one of the current barriers to doing that is the size of the planning commission. You couldn't fit 21 people around this table. But if you were down to Yes, can PRESIDENT. The number of commissioners because there's 21. There's no in city hall. Large enough to accommodate that. So room 40 is really the only option. We would also like to create a new public hearing websites that all of the information about public hearings in one place. That's a little you know, it's in line with how people want to receive information. People are always looking at the city website. We're hearing about something on social media. So this would be, you know, like above and beyond to ems and the killer noticing that we do. And I brought a couple of old friends from ti district
study here. We've got 30 artists, parties and artist who is inspired by fire and cities and wants to comment on the development project in her neighborhood Planning Commission changes for her means a public process easy to understand it. She only has to go to one meeting. The meeting takes place in a room where she can hear and see the discussion and outcome. And with that developer, Dan Danza, local housing developer and he builds midsize multifamily projects and he needs a conditional use permit for Dan prod. The presses is more predictable. Only takes one meeting to know if he's see up is approved or not. There's also more time for Dan to talk to the local District
Council and planning about his project with a little more wiggle room for 15 99, MR. Robinson, before you move that image developer Dan just when characters are loosely based plying the then finally we have Pollo planner. Policy planner with the is presenting a project to the planning Commission for Paulo. This means projects are not delayed because of lack of quorum. The meeting discussion is more focused and dynamic, which is something that's always exciting for us. Planners and explaining the process to the public. It's easier and doesn't feel intimidating. So that's what and I can stand for any questions. Thanks so much and other questions or comments. The council PRESIDENT. That's what I don't question. I'm really excited about all this. I really appreciate. Director and a future action director, all the work
that's gone into this. I think we talk so much about like let's make it easier to do cool things in the city of Saint Paul. And that's often of by the question and to actually have some very, very concrete things that we could actually change to make the city work better while not minimizing opportunity for public input or engagement or in any way undermining the Democratic project of living in a society together, I think is really impressive and exciting. And I feel very excited about these changes, which is maybe indictment on my personality. Thanks for coming. Other comments or questions for staff. I would just say I I agree with the enthusiasm and geeky enthusiasm for these changes. We'll sy is member former member of the Planning Commission the council vice PRESIDENT Would agree that it
does seem like a lot time could be say they have in this committee meetings happen in commission. I also think of anyone mention this, but the size planning commission compared to the size of our city's quite disproportionate. I think New York City has something like 79 planning commissioners. We have 21 is that. Council PRESIDENT At think New York City has about 12 or 13. I did. I should know. I worked but 21, I couldn't find a larger. You know, we did a lot of research, the staff level to see, you know, what was an appropriate number of commissioners and it really varies. But ours is much, much higher like usually the highest. It's about 12 or 13. Smallest us, you know, about
5. 12 or 13 person says New York City yes. So I think that that that point, those repeating, I think it's it's worthy of note. And then I noted also that your timeline slides talking about much time. This will save assume that everything happens on the normal timeline and doesn't assume that there any meetings that have to be canceled for lack of quorum, for example, which is harder to make a new 21 members. And I know lately we've had a lot of projects that have been delayed due to lack of quorum, either committee or planning commission. And so I think this is common sense and great to move all the projects we want to move forward into Palmer quickly. So thank you. Any other comments there, what is. This Item is laid over to DECEMBER 17th for a second
reading public hearing. Item number. 24 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash 2.40, final order approving the 2026 Ivy Birmingham residential mill and overlay project. Right? This is a public hearings or anyone up to do want speak first. We will have a quick staff report coming For a public hearing. use the voice activated Texas a Rector. Thank you. Yes. Council PRESIDENT And customers same Steve Diageo's Street Engineering and construction division manager. And pension. Even project manager a prep and gauge to get to do that. Ali. But the we're here tonight to discuss - the Ivey Berman and residential zoning overlay. It's per the annual residential overly program
Uber area is located just east the feeling in the northeast, part of the city in between Arlington and Merrill. It's going to be a summer 2026 construction project. 3.2 miles of, you know, normal way and cost approximately around 3 million dollars. The scope of the work is course going to be no, no. Really mean we're gonna takeoff have 2 inches of pavement and you know, placed 2 inches back. An order to extend the life of the road and then there will be utility adjustments and the intersections will get ada. Accessible ramps placed. Will be some sidewalk repair. And of course, the there will be assessments with this project in accordance with the city's assessment policy passed and
2024. And that was the brief staff report. I wanted to share and that the open for any questions. Thank you, MR. GOD, thank you for mentioning as well. Any questions for staff before we open it up? All right. I will now hold a public hearing on this If you're here to testify, this is your public hearing. Coming up. All that there's anyone here. So I will take a motion for missing to close the public hearing and approve any discussion. On favor. Say aye. I all post 5 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item number. 25 is in Israel. Resolution public hearing 25 Dash 2.70, ending spending and financing plan for very city departments. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on the set? Seeing none. Take motion from is just to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say I also 5 in favor, none opposed. The resolution is adopted item
number. 26 is resolution public hearing. 25 dash to 76 authorizing the police department to amend the 2025 Police Department Grant Fund for the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team Grant. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from prison, Kim to close the public hearing and all in favor say Aye. I post 5 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted and a number. 27 I resolution public hearing. 25 dash 2.79 meaning the financing spending plans in the fire department in the amount of $54,213. And $0.59 for the minutes of a task force. One reimbursement from the city of Medina. It's good day when we take money from te city of the Diana to be said this is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on the side? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from his common to close the public hearing and
approve all in favor say aye. I opposed 5 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted legislative hearing consent agenda items. 28 35 or before you for your consideration. Moment. Item number. 29, you need to read it. Number 29 religiously of 25 dash. 56 appeal of Seth Richardson to a summary abatement order a 23, 50 Bayless place this morning. I'm asking that the council continue this public hearing to JANUARY 14th of 2026. In the weather. Take a motion accordingly. Who's calling all in favor? Say Aye. Post 5 in favor. None opposed to public hearings continue to JANUARY 14th. All right. We will hold a hearing on the balance of the consent legislating consent agenda items which are items. 28 to 35, if you're here for any of those items, this is public hearing. Seeing none. We'll take a motion from ms just to close the public hearings and approve any of legislative hearing. Officers,
recommendations, modifications or amendments all in favor say Aye. I almost in fact been opposed. The legislative hearing. Consent agenda is adopted as amended. That brings us the end of our agenda. I think that had a enough So not seeing any good news I am citizenship on Thank you, council PRESIDENT. I do have a couple of good news to share. But before I do that, I want to express very disappointed in our city council here. I think that earlier we could have made different decisions and also have different conversations in response to the gas from committee members to speak at the podium. I really sick and tired of having to have the same sort of to be in the same situation. I wasn't the same situation when it was. Juanita past this. He's for resolution. I was the only
person at the table here who state after when people our community. But members asked to speak at the podium and I just want to say that to me, it is not it a huge ask at all for the city council here to just. Give us space for people in our community who care about something or maybe don't care about something, you know, to be able to tack at the microphone. They can come in opposite in opposition or in support of something. And it's really important to me that we figure out how we can change up our agenda here. I am really disappointed that because it took so long for us to to figure out what we wanted to and because I mean, frankly, disappointed in my colleagues who cared more about process then as trying to figure out how he's just overall, you know, on open up by either public hearing or because resolution did with them to speak. And I I expect better. I would like for us to do better. And ultimately, if
that means that we need to change up or agenda and just overall have an oen section for committee members to come speak openly about whatever topic that they want. I and I would be very supportive of that. And I would like to see that happen because oftentimes people do come to us as council members wanted to talk about something and because it's not on our agenda, we say, well, you can't, unless it's related to this topic. And that is not okay for me personally. I have been on the other side of been before where I was at the podium talking about things that I cared about issues like, for example, minimum wage and sick and safe time. And if we were ever not given the opportunity to speak, I would so furious. And so I think the issue the frustration, anger, the people who came earlier this is also
an issue that I know. Like what to be passed, a resolution that was unanimous and maybe care deeply about the resolution trying to now get an audit of those of that. I police department operations that took place on NOVEMBER. 25th the result as a result just it just being here in the east side. And this morning, the resolution. But overall just want make I just I'm very and onset what happened and seeing this over and over until we have a day where we don't have to be in this sort of situation again. The goodness that I want to share is that. There's a community dinner event happening tomorrow and it's that's DECEMBER. 11th. It's from 06:00pm to 07:30pm. It's for all ages and it's free. It's a he's a park recreation center. And it's the chance for families to be able to get a
visit from with Santa. All right to arts and crafts and there will be light supper. So please go out and support our rec centers. Second one is that the pop library in partnership with the Southeast Asian Diaspora Project are out there having a committee event call. The stories of abundance is especially that commemorating 50 years since pivotal moments in Southeast Asian history. The end of the Vietnam War, the conclusion of the Secret War in Laos, the beginning of the Khmer Rouge takeover in Cambodia and the events shaped have cheat sheet. The journeys the Comer, out and these communities in Minnesota. And it's a celebration to honor their stories, resilience and cultural legacies. It's happening on Saturday.
DECEMBER 13th 02:00pm to 04:30pm. That's Henry Library and one of the things that I do want to highlight is that right now in some public libraries, if you if you open your library account or want to get a new library card, you can get one and it has art on it. From one of our most artist Kelly. And it's a water color painting on it that really celebrates the 50th year of People thus the resettling here in the U.S. Since I encourage people to go and get a card for mercy. Public libraries. Thank you. As Because PRESIDENT Kim and I don't want to forget that MR. Staley also has a piece of yeah. me. Yeah. Just really quickly. Just too one speech events happen but more so about next steps moving
forward. So actually in the final resolution that made us the table, it doesn't commit to a community meeting. But I do know as a fact that all of my colleagues are deeply committed to that in structuring a space that both co-created. But one that allows allows the space for folks to be heard. I think that's incredibly important. I think in the best way, city government is the most accessible elect folks have to grab onto to be like there's a lot of things that are wrong in this world and I need us to do something about it. And so I'm committed to that. I know the council PRESIDENT Is council agreeing, you know, my colleagues across the board. Are committed to this meeting. So we're going to be looking at My office will take the lead in partnership with accounts PRESIDENT's office to ensure that this meeting takes place. I think the goals for to not the structure. I think there's space for us to have meetings where we work on
issues together to make progress. But I do think that having a container and a space for community to speak freely around, not just what they experienced last week, but what they have continually have been experiencing from our police department for many, many years is also important. So just naming that on the record that I as I'm even writing to this, the council, even though internally commits to it didn't quite make it in writing. But I know that is not an intentional And again, deep appreciation to my colleague Councilmember calling for getting this a table in a form that we can Hasson have teeth with. That was something communicated very clearly to members of the community that reached out to me is that I don't pass something that doesn't have the thing that we talking about doing. So good news is
this weekend on the 13th wrestler underlines having or winter warm-up and is held at Apollo Kitchen and Bar. It's very cold. So will be inside. So please come 1700 race street. Dare I say it not in Saint Paul, but because it's the race after an airline says U.S. Really great work longer harder where those 3 cities need of Brazil Maplewood and Saint Paul and it will be hosted in our sister city of people it. But please do come in, turn out to be a fun for all and food togetherness, which really important. Thanks. Vice PRESIDENT. Think the PRESIDENT I'll just say that I. I care about the integrity of this council in the integrity of our process isn't transparent. Things that we discuss here at the table. So
I am open to a public hearing or process that is properly noticed that people can show up and be a part of them, that it's why that is legally, how we are required to operate. Here is a council. I also think that I do care a lot about the resolution that we passed today and making sure that we are able to. Tangibly actually move things forward that do result in accountability and results and outcomes that I believe our residents and my constituents are loking for. That is what I care about the most I care about actual work, actual action and making sure that we are resolving this matter. I will also share an event that is happening in my word of this weekend's on Saturday, DECEMBER 13th at the Helen Community Center is a holiday
events from one to 3 where folks can come in take pictures with Santa can. Also, I think there's going t be treats and lots of holiday activities and games in the gym. So I'll be there and looking forward to. That. He and his am are saying. Thank you, Council PRESIDENT Another hard Saint Paul will soon be home to the world's largest hockey puck. And it's being designed right now and built right here in the city of Saint Paul and will be on display at Rice partnering to pull North Breakway FanFest which is part of the World Juniors championship DECEMBER. 26 to JANUARY 5th. The pop one completed will weigh more than 5,000 pounds be more than 22 feet across 7 and a half feet tall. The 6 seats to world's previous record of 20 feet. Come
Thanks so much. Just really appreciate that. Is extremely hard pivot. But I think it's worthwhile to direction. I want to thank my colleagues for your in the section of the agenda and I want Say that I agree with a lot of what's been said. I have been very clear that I want to have conversation about what occurred street and I want to do that in a way that is transparent, which means everyone knows that happening. I want to do it in a way that's equitable. That means that if you don't speak English, if you need a translator, you can come to that meeting and you can be heard. We did not have that opportunity tonight. I want to do that in a way that is productive. So we just worked really resolution again. Thank you. Ms Coleman, others worked on that too. Lay out a path that moves us forward. And I
want to. Have a conversation that moves us on that path. Gives us the input. We need to continue that path. And I want to do it in a way that's fair. And what happens when our businesses interrupted is that a lot of folks who are here tonight on a lot of other matters. They're very important to them. Did not get a chance to be heard. I take that really seriously as well. So also open to considering this. I think yu make an excellent point. You know, we don't have a public comment section in general on the agenda. If you want to consider adding, you public comment section at the end, we can have a conversation. But in my mind, that's really different matter than having our meetings be. Interrupted in a way that doesn't allow us to do the public's business. With that, I want to thank everyone. And a evening and we
are checked.