special meeting of the Saint Paul City Council to order Roll Call, please. Coleman. Johnson toast But we hear him. Here Yang comes PRESIDENT Maker here, 7 present, not absent. Thank you so much to everyone for taking time to join us for tonight's Truth in Taxation meeting. It is good to see our chambers so fall. We're here tonight to talk about how public dollars are spent and to talk about our budget and our values. But before we begin, I want to start by saying that all of us around this table are like you deeply concerned about the events that unfolded in our city today. This is a city and this is the council, the value safety and inclusion for
everyone no matter who you are and we have passed resolution after resolution. Demanding an end to fascism and hatred and violence. And I think I speak for all of us around this table and probably many of us in this room when I say we're coming together tonight, angry and confused. And hurt. And sad. And just full of questions about what we saw unfold in our city today. Tonight, we don't have those answers, but we will be demanding them over the days to come. And while tonight, we are here for a very specific purpose. Truth in taxation hearing. We are having a public hearing and anyone who is here tonight to speak on any subject. Everyone will have 2 minutes to speak on that subject. And we invite you up to share your thoughts. We're going to start tonight with. Some background information about the budget that the mayor proposed and then we'll give a little bit of information about how a
public hearing will go. And then we will move into our public hearing. So again, I want to thank everyone for being here tonight. I'm going to have the unenviable job of keeping time keeping order. And I appreciated advance your help with that. And I'm going to turn things over to come chief budget officer to give a brief presentation about the budget that was proposed to us. Commitments from. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT And council member my name is school of government and the City Council Chief Budget Office my goal is to support the consul in reviewing the proposed budget and offering insights to facilitate their decision, making. Tonight, present overview of the proposed 2026 budget. Of here to show that on the few. Good to viewing the budget piece toward that, the city Council is scheduled to adopt the budget doing.
It's regular meeting on DECEMBER. Could the meeting will begin at 03:30pm, end of it that they had at the city Hall. Committee that age to view the budget documents online for detained information regarding the 2026 budget proposal. These documents can be accessed through the cities of that site under the budget and financial support section. 8 offers something he's of resources, including the proposed budget but views and some of these key initiatives. Please visit the city of upsides to explode the budget and stay informed about city's financial planning process and could face. Looking the total proposed operating budget foot going to be doing the 6. The
city is proposing a 286 million dollar in 2026 budget. The proposed general fund budget is 405 Million. That is an increase of 3.9%. On 15.1 million dollars over the 2025 budget. The income and expenditure that is supported by ending fees and property taxes. Inflation at 11, you get old reduction of 10 to 6.4 fte ce. The proposed property tax levy is too. And could be 2.5 million dollar. That is an increase of 5.3% think Yankees, a 5.3% or 11.7 million like only do it if love it. The proposed levy increse been have an impact some 80 $9 fallen an average median value. Ken is a closer At the
proposed Levy distribution. 26 proposed budget includes property tax Levy of 232.5 million, 80 million of that supports the general fund. 22 Million. 6 million supports the debt service Levy. Joining Kenyan of that is going to going to go. It's going to be located to the public ad agency. And 2.9 million don't know that would be levied on behalf of the board that that do to levy We're going to be 25 is 5 weekly for On this side. You can see that, in fact, of all proposed changes on a typical safe hold median home value in 2026. Is expected to be $289,200. This whole would see an increase of $107. That's of that Sin City property taxes. Increse insanity sewer
charges. They know that increase in Stone solar $5 fee for the recycling fee. Knowing phase is being proposed to the trash collection. And that is going to be a 5 donating these of related to the water charges for going to be doing this since the total proposed budget increase total charges on a typical same home. Mean that you will flight $32. The proposed budget reflect response abilities in managing sources wisely and events in the city, put a safe going get and prepare future going to done to 6 budget located 13.1 million dollar for to the housing and economic opportunity. This includes 6.6 million dollar fund housing production foot by 9 million dollars for housing
affordability and mainly 1.6 million dollars allocated to economic opportunities. City is investing 3 million dollars to modernize services and enhance a patient's efficiency through strategic technology initiative. Locations include 696,000 in new permitting and licensing system One pint will it million in cybersecurity investments 115,000 in grant management system. 40 50,000 in street marking bike goes 100,000 in facilities. Management study 60,000 in mobile device management audit 100,005, right at the base Budget Consulting. 116,000 in Kanab, easily just ration administration 166,000 for the be pick. This team. And 200,000 in Texas and security of counsel's office. To summarize and this. This isn't to the proposed budget
reflects of Fiday's including public safety sustainability and a stick to community services. The budget for pulls fence to address and is that community needs. The next steps involve a debate on budgets and setting the property tax Levy on State DECEMBER. Could the bulk of community community feedback? Continue to inform the final budget. It just want to thank everyone for their time and engagement in the city's budgeting process. The and 32 to review the budget documents available online and provide feedback to help ensure that the largest effectively meeting the needs of the community. That's a ahead for tonight. Can see best. And thank you so much. Great. Thank you so much. As Burma. I also want to acknowledge,
first of all, just of if. I think we're standing room only so I would love to encourage folks if there's a space next to you that you can maybe shift in a just a little bit. We can make can make room. We can have a big tent and it would be great to be able to allow everyone to be able to sit down if they'd like to do so. Thank you for your help in doing that. I also think it's important to note that we are required by the state to hold the truth and taxation hearing at this time of year and actually at this exact time and date, we have to start at 06:00pm or later. This is by state statute. One of the things that has been very frustrating to our council for a long time is that by this time in the budget process, we are very far along with the budget development and having truth in taxation. Nw, while we are required to do it by the state, also feels kind of disingenuous, right? We want to actually hear from you
about what you want in the budget. And so while we are having this hearing tonight, as we are required to do, I think it's important to point out that we have also had much earlier engagement with the community about the mayor's proposal. He proposed his budget in AUGUST. We had one citywide budget event in SEPTEMBER that many of you attended. Thank you for being there. And then all of us in our words have had separate budget community engagement events over the months since we've got a lot of great feedback, the budget that you just heard is from a present was the mayor's proposal. If you've been one of our millions of viewers following along at home over the last few months, you have probably seen that we are proposing a number of amendments to the
mayor's proposal that were not reflected in that presentation because they haven't been adopted yet. And those amendments are directly related to what we've heard from you. For example, we have heard invest in frontline workers. We have heard invest in front facing services. We have not cut hours at libraries and rec centers. We have not cut firefighters and first responders. We have heard that we need. Basic infrastructure like lighting. We have heard that we need funding for district councils and our commercial corridors and our small businesses and our immigration Dfense Fund, which is maybe more important than ever right now. We have heard all of this and more from you and we have incorporated that into the budget amendments that we're proposing. So I know that
those are not what we're what was just presented because they haven't been adopted. Please know that we have been listening. We're going to continue listening tonight and what you just heard presented is not the final budget. So with that, as I said earlier, we are going to move into our public hearing. If you missed my framing earlier tonight, I wanted to make sure that folks know that this is about truth and taxation, but we are welcoming folks tonight to take your 2 minutes to speak on any issue that brought you here tonight. My job is to make sure that we gve everybody the same 2 minutes. We have a full room and we want to make sure that all of us up here are able to get the same amount of attention to the last person as we do to the first person. So it's not but I'm going to be really stopping everybody at the 2 minute. Mark. So in a moment when we come the public
hearing will invite people to line up on both sides of the microphones will go alternate sites when it's your turn. Come up. Stand between the microphones, say your name and where you're coming from. And once you've done, that will start the 2 minute timer. You'll see it start right in front of you. And then you'll have 2 minutes to share your thoughts with us this evening. When you're done speaking, please make sure to sign in at one of the to sign in sheets and then there make some quick closing remarks and we'll go from that. That's that. All right. With that. This is our public hearing Archie's in Texas public hearing. We invite folks up to comment. Sorry and you you can adjust. You can leave the microphones exactly where they are. They'll still pick you up just fine. And you can also stand up need to lean over to them. They're they're high-tech. Hello. My name is Brian
Burke's in 2047. Dayton Saint Paul. Obviously I'd like to say that I'm a little bit disappointed this podium because I'm disabled and would like to have been able to sit down. But this doesn't look like compatible for that. My property taxes double. In the last 4 years. Live on a fixed income. I'm a disabled veteran from the war in Afghanistan. And my disability goes u less than what you're asking. Us to pay in property taxes. Well, I'm happy that my home is gaining market value. It's going up at an unsustainable rate for me. There is a property tax problem in this city. And the only way that the taxes and can come down as if you don't spend as much money. There seems to be a
program for every problem. I on the screen tonight that support for for housing. We know we all agree with that. We all want people to have a safe place to live. But you're pushing people like me out. I wish there was a program. 4, the disabled for the elderly. I guess I'm getting close to being both that look like Santa Claus. But doesn't seem to And I would encourage you. You know, I know this is late in the process. We all could come in hre earlier to speak about this. But I you know, I quite frankly, given up I call I've written, I don't get called back for my council member. I'm this is like the 4th year that I've come. And every year you just past the same budget and give us lip
service. So. You know, do what you can. But I'm not really looking forward to much being done. Thank you very much, sir. Make sure to sign in. excellent speech. It's hard to after And they, Thank you, My name Bill son 18. 95 Norfolk out today. I believe I've coach. Chose I knew about my well. My taxes are thank you for the presentation. But it was flawed from what looking at, some of cash bill. I got the property taxes on my 85 year-old again, 44%, that's that's the total number. All the taxes just for the city here. Going up 48%. Much more than the 5% that you had in demonstration. Peace.
The thing 85 year-old It saw. There's there's a yes, it's in Highland Park. But big deal. You know, it's old you know, needs I'm like the other gentleman. I'm a veteran myself. I work for department of So in my own way on a fixed income. We'll working until they kill You know, I gotta It could be any day prices for my had least the value of my house. He's in one year 0. 36 1%. From market value from 468 to all 6.37. Unbelievable. Know hoses are showing for that in that neighborhood in the condition that I have. I don't know where that number came from. It's ending a stick. So I hear what the gentleman said
before. He's my first day here. I don't really know what to expect other than these tax rates are forcing people working people, city of Saint Paul. And I think that going to be important for use of council for you. Person a toast 2 year on of behalf your you constituent hope that you don't pass. That is trying make make sure to say spending somewhere and make sure to sign welcome. You see. Thank you. my name is Jeffrey. Pick out of the 4 to 10 Lynn Avenue. Saint Paul, I'm here to talk about the activity of federal agents to Rose Street. I was one of handful of people that were first to show up to the sene and there was it was house. There are in the yard.
Some agents and the the 3 season porch. There attempting to try talk to some people inside the house item megaphone with me the megaphone mice that just goes to inform the residents of the race, not open the door, not to talk to the agents what was most frustrating and makes me furious and said in sick is the cooperation of the Saint Paul Police Department later on in the protest. The policemen showed up. They begin to push protesters from the front of the house westward. Don't rose I was physically grabbed by police officers show back and then sprayed with pepper spray. Plume of smoke only for asking why are we being moved respect their right to protest? But why are we being move? What's going on? I then was continually pushed I had a stream of some type of chemical heir channel, pepper
spray sprayed directly into my eyeball from a police officer that was outside of my peripheral vision by I still burns. Hours later, my face still burns. Hours later. My skin is sensitive to the touch cooking a late lunch today by hand was affected by the heat on the stove because a chemical irritant is still there. It's under my fingernails. Still. And this is Saint Paul Police Department doing this. This is not federal agents are discussing terrorism. They wear masks are cowards. The was the same way today. They were teir gas masks protect themselves. They hurt people think brought of Russian violence and is not right. Sick of the planet to the mayor and city council members that are saying that the police is not collaborating with agents because they are. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. High winds as a a resident or 2, as you all know, and the PRESIDENT Of afscme local 18.
42 see example, technical. We're going to contract negotiations right now. We get our first meeting yesterday. Or vice PRESIDENT Haven't the likes to call the city of Saint Paul, the Walmart of Public Employers. I and University of the charter is hiring cashiers at 17. 75 an hour. That's the same starting wage for librarian rec cnter workers. These employees take care of our children are mandated reporters they take de-escalation trains for violent incidents. Most of employees are women, people of color. In part time. According to the city's commitment to equity. Have to laugh at that. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda. I don't see the equity in poverty, wages. One of our members our contract from 25 years ago. If our wages have kept up with
inflation, if you $3 an hour or higher, that would be a 10% raise for me. This makes complete sense. We can't hire people. We can't keep people at these wages. We have agencies all the time and we had it. 23 vacancies for one job title and rec. Members of the city Council. You have the power to change this. You can be these leaders were guided by none of Hachette agenda that we don't have in our department said we don't have an hr and we need to keep our libraries and rec centers open and fully staffed. And that includes closing round, a library for no to do this. We need to to stop the city from hiring consultants and chop from the time we have too many feel making six-figure salaries working from home. You know, I keep hearing from the city for managing that with us 8 million dollar
deficit. That's problem. That's that's he has. But it so. Thank you. Thank you very much. Make sure to I just want to recognize folks. I know it is hard stick to the 2 minutes and I appreciate everyone taking that. The care to do that. It's hard come up. Good evening, councilmembers. My name is Greg Lee scored 7. I want to thank the Saint Paul City Council for using constrain when certifying property tax levies to help pay for Essential city services like police fire public works, parks and rec. For the 2025 budget. The same polls levy increase was 5.9% by comparison. 3 Ramsey County cities had smaller levy increases. Well, 15 other Ramsey County cities had increases ranging from 6.5 to
17%. For the 2026 budget. The same poll maximum Levy increases proposed to be 5.3%. By comparison. Only one Ramsey County city is proposing a smaller increase at 3.8%. Well, 17 cities and Ramsey County pros proposing increases from 6.5 to 18.3%. Council members. You're doing good. But your constituents or begging for you to find more ways to reduce the certified tax Levy for 2026, you ask why? The Minnesota Department of Revenue's online property tax tool displays payable 2025 property Tax Facts for the 165 cities. In the 7 County metro area. That data reveals that the effective tax rate for
Saint Paul's residential Homestead is 1.5%, Well, we are the second highest in the metro area. 165 cities. We're number 2, the efective tax rate is your total property tax bill for all 10 governmental units. Expressed as a percentage of your estimated market value. You've done good. You got to do more. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you so much. It's sure to sign in and for me and my family safety prefer to keep my identity unknown. But I do help from my family's small business here in Saint Paul. And I am a resident of Saint Paul as well. I was one of the people pepper spray today at ice Raid Andrews Avenue in Saint Paul. While trying to peacefully deter officers from shooting the crowd with guns that had peppers people floated into them. Saint Paul police officer came up behind me and
shoved his mates canister eyeglasses spring directly into my eyeball. I witnessed another woman who was walking with a cane. Get sprayed directly in the face by an s p pd officer and shoved violently to the ground. This happened right in front of me. She was standing in front of a van and talking with one of the officers when this happened. One of my friends who was a veteran who's a veteran I still processing the fact that an ice agent pointed alive, a real gun directly at his chest today. He was very clearly on armed with his hands out wide by his side when this happened. The following our series of questions, my fellow activists have the city Council, one. How much of the city of Saint Paul's budget is going towards aiding federal law enforcement, local operations, which is in direct violation of the city's own separation ordinance to how can we be
sure that the increase investments in fppg are going to protect and serve our community? 3? What oversight council and they're providing the police department to ensure that our city is a safe place for all residents. And putting fear through legal enforcement. What are the current regulations regarding asked ppd officers identifying themselves to the public and what sticks so steps will be taken to ensure compliance with those regulations. Is there additional language needed to ensure officers are identifiable during these types of situations and buy in the city department's the pair, preparing a more explicit and detailed policy regarding law. Local law enforcement support response to request for aid from federal immigration
actions. If not, why. That's all very much. My nme is Khan on the show. They live in Ward one and I'm a representative from inside Saint Paul. And I have several suggestions for you and how to reduce the levee. One you could to certify a to the tax increment finance districts. These are the districts for the city's already paid off for the long for the money. It borrowed to give to the developer for those projects. There's that have completed that and you should be able to certify that and the impact will be roughly about a million dollars to property tax. But if the general fund, it also means that be about another million dollars to the school district and another million dollars to
the county. So I'd encourage you to consider that. The other thing I think you should do is we should focus fixing the. The parks that we have focus and getting rid of that, the maintenance backlog and the parks that we already have built. Right now, we're spending roughly 10 million dollars, I believe on the design and planning of new parks. We can't even afford operate the ones we have. You're talking about hours and cuts that some of the rec centers now. If we do that, we should focus that money taking care of the backlog. Was a nice pay. Any spending to these new facilities and really figure out how you're going to pay for the operation maintenance of these new facilities. You want. The other thing we should do is we should ask the Legislature to - fulfill its commitment to
those regional parks that we operate right now. State law says they're supposed to spending. 40 1% providing us 40% of the money for the operation of those regional Parks Lake Como fail in Battle Creek Lilydale. That's not all. But right now we're only getting about 8% of the money. So the first and years legislative package should be requesting the state to fulfill its obligations. It's about a 5 million dollar impact to your property tax, which would go a long way to solving the parks and rec budget. So those several of things I have on my list where would be a substantial impact on the proper. Think you very much Thank you, MISTER Seiden. Thank you. My name is Andrew Angles. I currently reside at 1, 9, 3, 6, 4, parkway. here because I would like
to ask you to oppose any of the cuts to the services such as library hours rec centers. The city really has so much to offer. And in a time when the federal budget is being gutted. I think that it is unfortunately going to land on state and local governments in order to. Carry the brunt expanding services. I can tell you that and somebody who has worked with unhoused and lower-income individuals that as a direct result of these you will people with No choice other than to go out to the any place else to go. There are many people that still do not have access to a lot of services that the rec centers libraries provide. I I for one
would like to see services expanded and not cut even if it means an increase in cost of living for me. So that resident is from all oer. Saint Paul at can be accessible to everyone. Regardless of nationality, grace or where live or income level. So I would like you to consider that way. Thank Can Thank goodness. Welcome up. Will this get Jane Prince and I'm here speaking behalf InSight agenda. But I do want to say before I start that we've been really grateful. To all of yu for considering things that we've forward. Basically when we came together as a group, Saint Paul has the highest residential property tax rate in the state are quite close
to it. We have the highest sales tax and most significantly, as you've heard tonight, we have the highest percentage. Of people that the state considers to be property tax stressed. Means that is spending more than 5% of their household income and property taxes along. We can not be doing any new or extra spending anything. And I believe like most of you, a new has campaigned. Focusing core services for services like we just heard about fully funding rec centers libraries. I have a couple of specific things that I was going bring. That one is the 5 million for converting. Commercial to residential properties downtown is a really bad way of using money.
You'll be spending money to lose money. The residential property tax rate is significantly lower than commercial one. And we haven't done enough creative thinking about what low price rental office space might be able to attract downtown. We should be providing amenities like free parking are sitting vacant. Now we should be putting childcare into office building so that people are really convinced to come down to help. Couple of other things. But I want to say over the last 10 years, one of the things that I opposed as a council member, although and you stand it is that we have taken on a tremendous amount of human services work work. That is the job of the county and that
state. And we can't afford a million dollars is for drug program. When we are. Thank you. Taxing people out of their homes. Thank you so much. Make sure to sign it. And chance and 40, 50 fresh air burned I wanted to speak. Also an opposition, any cuts to libraries and parks. I think. Just a is it moral and our city workers, poverty, we can exist and bike city that's Pursuing like austerity with its lay key public services. Those are things. Help the most vulnerable among us and the city and help everybody in the Budget also just reflects
priority Israeli there. My niece ago, too. The people that make our city run. In places like parks and libraries. Staff there. Thank you very much. Good evening. I'm Lee of and Live 9, 7, 8, Marshall Avenue I come to is a citizen say Paul, that also is the PRESIDENT Of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators Saint Paul as well. I was at the event that happened this morning. PRESIDENT Of a pretty badass union we get to be in space is around the country. Until today I was proud to be able brag that we're a city that didn't have police backup ice. That's no longer true. I represent people and educators and 16 and buildings around the city. And they all work with children and at least one of our schools are on lockdown today because of ice activity.
And that's not ok. Some of the badge numbers that were there today were 3.85. 3.40. T dots and who refused to give his badge number. Dot Gaal is part of the first part of that person's last name. This is not okay. This was not something that we needed to have public. Please show up for. The questions were already asked by a sibling earlier. They they need to be repeated. Despite percent increase, how much of that is going to go to federal law enforcement being supported by our police? And breaks our own cities separation ordinance. How can we be sure that increased investments? It s p p d we're going to protect and serve our community. What oversight is this council and the mayor providing to the police department to ensure that our city is safe place for all our residents and not just putting up fear and illegal
enforcement. Thank you. Thank you very much, MISTER To Good evening. My name is Pearson. I've word aimed at The View Library, which is the west of the river and I leaving home and Midway neighborhood. So the reason that I am here today ease for propose a radical idea, they're really good idea invest in public service members. Libraries, recreation and parks. What is the farm and fire departments from 9 people that people use them when they do everybody would encounter. In any case. I am learn that last year we just took a boat live or the cause. I keep an eye that one. We love like cleric. How much of makes it here? They don't even make to. Thing that we eliminate the those hours from the library. This year with the made it a
noted and I went Liberia This also case I'm struggling, right? I Our time is still at years of running a run of the library then 3 of them believe about they up. My proposal. Let's just the money was Louis. Hi people that capable and it's still up with that. Consultant. This is like what? So we are. So numbers and then when the something the with the results. In front of big, they didn't know what they're feeling. They don't know even the source of that. Their decision, they don't know what kind of companies one that I just just food is want to from the site point of view. To my eyes as a we're back to my
home right? So I feel it. And didn't like some knd of creep out right by the sea. That is that they make. That part-time. I'm a woman of color. Would like work is a look at getting and that Hillary so I am proposing the radical idea thing. This where people we used buy home. If people if they want to. Food in. There it is. This is is there a greater thank you very Hi, my name is Clara Doctor. And I'm here as a staff member of the Saint Paul Federation, educator us. I'm here today to express my deep concern with how the Saint Paul Police Department conducted themselves this morning during the raid on Rhodes Street. When the Saint Paul police arrived on site. They arrived in full riot gear carrying weapons that would dispersed and dispense chemical agents and nonlethal targets at people who are the
gully observing ice. There was no rioting. There was no obstruction of the federal operation. And I had been there for an hour prior to Spp visa rival. Their arrival raised tensions and did not in the slightest make me as a white woman and a constitutional observer feel any safer. In fact, I've never felt more unsafe in the presence of Spp. This morning. Were they there protecting and serving? That's their motto on their vehicles to protect and serve our good citizens of Saint Paul for the federal agents terrorizing our community. From my vantage point, I saw no assaults on
federal officers prior to their arrival and I was in the front and the back. They said there was a medical emergency. However, there was no time at which sp pd asked ice to move their vehicles that were parked in the street, blocking ambulance access. s p pd turned down requests from trained nurses to help out. I was born in raised in the city. I love this city. I working here. But tonight I am utterly disgusted and disappointed and horrified at the actions of the Saint Paul Police Department. The questions I have have already been asked. How is the oversight going to come from this council? The mayor's office? Our public dollars going to be spent on these federal operations are schools are underfunded. Thank you very much. And it's already there constituent or 2, 7, 30 for Delaware Avenue. Also a proud
member of asked me to 42. I'm here first and foremost, ask you not to invest in our frontline workers and that balance the budget and a friend hers. to end to invest in us. As Isaac was saying, also, particularly concerned about the tax to center just works, know that throughout. GOD works just one of the proposed cuts. We used to have for you next. And you know, twenty-six week more than rec centers and I know want to cut. I was like they are not cutting back. We're going to be doing I coming back next ask you not to close them and given to someone that's not the city. And I think later by the city. And there has to be I don't even need to increase the levy, right? Does not much money. You're saving mayor. You should be able to find that. As we said, there's consulting fees being paid by
hr wage is going talk people do anything. So has ways to find that so we can still invest in the public and in our excellent cause. These cuts we're going lose as rec centers, that just how it is. We know how thank you very much. Thank you very much. Good evening. My name is Nick Niles and I'm here as a staff member of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators. Over the last 2 weeks, responded to calls for legal observers, ice rates, our community. And today I was shocked to see that the Saint Paul Public Police Department. Had a large presence at a residential home supporting a nice I was shocked in part because am a descendant of immigrants. Grandmother immigrated to this country in 1946. Shortly after the end of World War, 2. My family's work hard to build a
life here if served in the military and public health and work to support their neighbors and contribute to our country. I'm here today because of their sacrifice and contributions. Today our police department supported masks. Anonymous federal authorities as they ripped apart families like mine. What I saw in the streets of Saint Paul today are not the values that we all hold dear. So I'm here to ask some questions. But what the council and te mayor, believe. These questions have asked earlier that they bear repeating. How mch of the city of Saint Paul's budget is going towards eating federal law enforcement in local operations, which is in direct violation at the city's own separation ordinance. How can we be sure that the increased investments in sp pd are going
to protect and serve our community and not rip families apart. What oversight is the council and mayor providing to the police department to ensure that our city is a safe place for all residents and not uplifting fear through a legal enforcement. Thank you for your time. Very much. My name is Dylan Emma. That. I'm speaking today as one of our rec centers, frontline workers. 2 minutes is not a great deal of time to address everything that's going on. I'm sure half of the people in this room or more could spend a half hour talking just about the actions of the Saint Paul Police Department today let alone the ones earlier this week or last week. But I'm going to speak to my personal experience as a frontline
wrecked leader. I am lucky or unlucky enough to have experienced a major injury in my childhood. That leaves me with enough money to be able to work. M ethics. I am one of the only of my co-workers. I know who has the money to own a home because we do not get paid enough to do that. We do not get paid enough to keep up with inflation. We are working front lines. We are taking care of children of single parents. We are a place for teens to go to be safe after school to do something productive. We are constantly helping unhoused people in, though I have personally been lucky enough not to have experienced a gun incident. They keep happening and our frontline underpaid workers keep handling them. They keep handling them without anyone getting hurt without anyone
getting pepper sprayed without anyone getting shot with rubber bullets. No one needing to hide who they are because we are the frontline rec leaders. We are the people who talk to the community every day and well, individuals from the community come in and thank us all te time. And that is deeply appreciated. It's hard to know that I can only keep doing this job because when I was 13, I died and that gave me enough money to do whatever. And still be able to work my ethics it. I am constantly amazed and impress co workers who are doing this job. And living off of what very little we get paid to do it. Especially those people who are dealing with gun incidents. I'm lucky enough to be working at a rec center that my worst icidents, crazy children who are 6 years old. I can handle that. Thank you
very much. Hello. My name is being West Side or resident 5, 5, 107. I was at the raid today. A family friend was in the home that was raided today. Eyewitness Saint Paul Police Department escalate. The situation that was ogoing. More. Then the fascists that were there, which is concerning. I spoke with the mayor. H said he was going to look for answers. Why is our mayor not aware of what is going on with his police department? I saw some council members there. On site and I definitely would appreciate if more of our elected officials would put their bodies on the line. Like I saw today, some elected officials do we need that? You guys use your power. You have power. Use it to protect yur constituents. Want to also talk about the
budget. I used to work. Parks and recreation and I know how many talented people are there. And we fund all these other programs yet the programs that have direct effects on our children and our families are underfunded and it doesn't make sense. If we want to reduce cime, it starts with services, not policing. We can start to demilitarize. Are Saint Paul Police Department. So they're unable to do what they did today. I saw protesters try to coordinate with the police department and get peppered sprayed. I saw protesters tried to de-escalate and they escalated. Let's invest in our frontline workers so that we can start militarizing our
police. So that our folks can be safe and our teens can have places to go and have good influences in their lives. Again, I'm really of what happened today. I was there. I saw it all. And it's it's really unacceptable. Thank And that. I lve in 2, 0. 74th Street the first time been here. There's a couple things I want I was 3 years ago and I feel like either somebody doesn't budget very well. Are you guys very honest because my property taxes are double every single year. And so to 5%, it's more than 10%. And you affect we pay health insurance insurance. Every single thing that was at Lake seconds. Kind of got to give. And then the second thing I want to know after I read this residential disposal uk Shoji yearly fee. You charge of quarterly fee.
But then printed here that you so all our recyclables to buy the yard and all these other companies and stuff. So it's like, where does the money go that you sell? Why do we have to pay so much? And that you want even increase more like sometimes things really don't make sense here for being a fairly new resident. It continues to go this way. I would have to turn around and my house and leave again but it kind of doesn't really make snse. Just saying. That's all I have to say. I don't need to and thank very much. One thing I do just want to know, I forgot to say this earlier, if. You know, we're not. Able to answer questions like that right now. But your council members are sitting around this table and so those of us who represent you can follow up with you about questions
like that. We also have out in the hallway. If you have specific questions about your property value or your taxes or your appraisal, we have Ramsey County assessor's office at the table outside. You might want to talk with both about your own value, but also about some of the rebate programs that they have available. If your taxes have gone up more than a certain amount. So it does not take away from anything that's happening in here. But I just wanted folks to know that that's what those folks are out in the hallway. Thank you for having me. name is fog and her family owns a small business in Rye Street. And we want to for 60 years. And our property taxes have gone since 2019 to now, 60%. And I'm just wondering
when is going end? I think that there should be some budget cuts fr sure. Is non profits that are proliferating everywhere. They're not paying their fair share. Saint Thomas Collins, for example, those people should be paying taxes. I really feel. That is his problem. State that thank you very much. Thank you very much. A sure sign it. Hi, my name is Rima is I have a simple resident with a 3, 1, 6, our punter Avenue. I'm a pro desk 18. 42 member and a community rec specialist at one of our busiest safer rec center in my time working in parks. The same thing has been true. Our frontline workers, our lowest paid staff are stretched incredibly thin on the daily. They are the most likely to be put and manage some of the most dangerous situations. Their jobs are not easy. Managing 30 kids in a wreck. Check after
school. Every day is not an easy job. Our rec leaders deal with violence in our rec centers. They also are committed to quality programming. They coached sports. They teach classes this summer. They were taking our kids. All of our Eastside rec centers had kids said failing regional park once a week throughout the summer, they were able to try biking, fishing, panicking so much more. So we are committed to fostering stewardship of our beautiful natural spaces for generations to come. The impact or rec leaders have on our youth is critical. We are asking you to talk from the top and prioritize our lowest paid staff for retention. Yes, but also so that they are more fairly compensated for their incredibly hard and sometimes
dangerous Thank you very much. Is legendary well, with you, Jenna Place. I came to ask for support with funding for place, expand housing access for returning citizens. I'm not gonna and lie like today. Have to say Shelton went on the front lines. My mom is an immigrant and without protective immigration. I want to be here sociality all. Also write on behalf John Place Express our strong support for increased funding to expand our housing access for returning citizens in our community. As the train best address the first firsthand. How critical statement housing is for young African-American men that we serve, particularly those re-entering society
after incarceration. You don't place has long been committed to ensuring that our participants are not only house but supported, connected and equipped with the tools they need to achieve long-term stability. Additionally or additional funding was significantly strengthen our capacity to provide safe, consistent housing for returning citizens who also face some of the most substantial barriers to securing a place to live with this investment. We can assure that a committed and connected to a transformative programming employment resources, mental health services and long-term stability. Importantly, expended housing also allows our bill positive rental history, which is a fundamental requirement for
security and independent leases in the future. This opportunity will close a critical gap in the reentry process. Empowering our participants to move toward sustainable housing, self-sufficiency and dignity. And honestly, without like secure housing, you can't really focus on your goals. So like giving them housing will allow them to take other things out, their place in the focus on things that they really have going. So your support for this funding will have a direct and less impact on lives of the men that we serve. It will help ensure that returning citizens are not left behind when state provided, but the stable foundation, every person needs to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to the community. Thank you very much. Kenneth Mitchell, she her 4, 9, 3, Adam Frank Town.
Resident Vice PRESIDENT. Ask one of these days a stand at this podium and I'm here to talk about all the amazing things we do and I'm not going to have to for money to keep same poll workers of food stamps and housing. One of What means when the 5th grader immigrant child from Highland gets the kayak for the frst time in tears of joy come down his face or they ride a bike with a win the basketball championship. I'm a 25 year employee and I'm sick and tired of thank my Does not include my property tax rates, right? And as a city employee in my full to complain about taxes being too high, but I'm going to because we continue. Many bosses? How many workers,
the disparity of income of cultural competency and ability to drive into Saint Paul when you don't believe here to work at work, appalling to me. We need firefighters need like Greece we need wreck. And yes, we need community control. The police, but we don't need is what we need today. So my co-worker, as we said, every kid gets a free swimming lessons. Saint Paul, it was actually it was labor who got that We identify the site case so they could take them swimming. And today I want to talk about other things that my co-worker to be who the coach, who's a lifeguard, literally with his Ashley shirt on sent me a picture and said he is terrified to leave his house. And if those folks
who do or do not know to be right, we worked together a lot bridge swimming and nature of that. If you want to talk about historic racism and classism, it's around rounding numbers in many other things from get saved for their drowned. But today he literally said I can come here. My family is terrified. I took call after call after call today about rnc members are city workers are community workers who are terrified of my own co-workers, the Saint Paul police. What happened today is a disgrace. 25 years and 5 quick use my mouth and my ability to But can't do that. And I think for that out. It rough, ok, we focus. I'm a
person as very and I'm coming on behalf of huge on a place. I am the current program director here and on. We're asking for funding and the words I'm going to read are hours. These are the words of director of housing. John, the place began as educational program for African-American men between the ages of 18 30 leadership staff quickly realize they're being usheltered pose a major challenge to the man pursuing to gb and post-secondary education options. This led to a place find the man with transitional housing. There are a substantial increase in educational attainment and reported they were experiencing reduced feelings of anxiety and depression. Bring an increased ability to their emotional, help them and were able to focus and not be burdened with where they were
going to sleep after program hours. Currently have a master lease for 60 unit building that program space. One full kitchen to kitchen as and 2 bathrooms on each floor. Property is conveniently located near public transportation just a few blocks from John, please quarters. So typically takes a person about 18 months in a secure housing situation. Bring to begin addressing other challenges that MAY be impacting their success, just implement education, mental and chemical health. This funding would allow us to increase the number of man we serve acquire property in Rondo community where we are in it, which is closed to directly says of our man with pathways to homeownership are to training helps. I mean Allegheny leases and communicate with landlords. In addition to understand tenant rights, financials and home
ownership. This funding would not only enhance your job placement show how the program but create opportunities beyond we are currently providing army was safe, clean and secure housing. This funding will open the door to American dream of home ownership. And I want to say we have had so much trouble trying to find housing for man because of what we do. a lot of people are not discussed in the community. Even Rondo community will not give us any housing because are black organization and its ridiculous. They have never saving Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Tim Reno. Are living in fife of one of I'm also a member of the Capital Improvement Board. And the couple made subcommittee this year. We only have 3 million to
distribute for a couple minutes for the next 2 years. While question we need was almost 10 millions things like repairing or replacing the roof at fire station 6.23, the Battle Creek and North Hill rec centers traffic operation centers at the hard working employees of our city have to work in. We're left unfunded because we have not increased our the money that we get to our committee since 1995, what else costs the same as 1995, let's be for real here. Meanwhile, there's a 3 million dollar increase going to our police and they were 7 million dollars over budget last year. That is twice amount that we have to distribute to the people working in our city and the buildings after working day, a department that today MAY utterly embarrassed to
call Saint I was tear gas today when I turned my head and the air gets in my eyes, it still burns. It's it's something where we see the rationale given to move us was at and listening to coming through. But I got tear gas. It takes a long time to build, even see and be comprehending of these things. After that. And it took a half an hour after that before the ambulance showed up and they didn't come up front where they moved They came out the back. How will history look back on our officers who refuse to share their badge numbers so they they don't need to listen to our mayor. Where is accountability? All al of you, all the people we talked to in the see the people running for mayor, they all talk about how we need to stand up to ice, to
our immigrant neighbors, to reduce to increase our equity in our city. We talk a good game, but we're not backing it up. Well, we Defen We co science. We are manufacturing consent to abuse our residents and we need investigation. We need transparency accountability to make sure that this never happens again. And also, I want to say thank you to Councilmember Kym for showing up when your body. Well, come up with. Although I am Josh Lee. Thomas, I am I am a She John, a you know, I'm gonna keep it short and sweet and say, you know 2024 hasn't been the nicest to me. You know, being, you know, with my left a mother, I would say. And, you know, through the housing program, you know, I kind of found my sense of peace. You know. And you know, the reason why I'm here is to invest in
the gem Housing program. Because it helps us, you know, get our feet wet so that, you know, when we do leave our nest, which is the a place that we're able to understand and that we have the skills and the tools to say like, oh, you know, the landlords acting crazy or, you know, this situation is happening and I got the tools to, you know, use that. And it helps us find. You know, peace and reach a new version of ourselves, rather it be through education, getting jobs are, you know, just fighting our own individual battles. You know, due Giannis has helped us it again. My name is Josh. Thank you for having me. Make sure to sign it. World Gramling live at 4,
6, 6, Street North and the country neighborhood and I doing adult services at the center library. Also Conway. Do you side this speech I kind was moved to give on the fly sonseeahray. If it's rough that just some things that I see in our libraries in our parks and you know, we need funding for us to actually get paid and have health care and all that stuff before hurts. Also funding just to do what they do. So. And for the last month we've had a regular she's a 9 year-old girl. We have a little food pantry that patrons put you know, can fade. Food, close. Once a week she comes in slow 9 year-old girl falls of brings them back home. We have multiple parents who weekly monthly to have supervised visits with their children. And one woman just this week she was so excited. I'm going to see my baby
On Monday we had a mother woman going during creation and she's trying to get all immigration papers done. And lawyers church too much for the copy says she's going to themself. She was at a cop. You're for an hour and a half and she had to come back the next day. She to get immigration papers. Stephen, I'm a notary. I notarized name changes after weddings. I know to rise people starting their own businesses, car deals, whatever. W need to have libraries and parks open. These people need places to stay. Also for houseless population. And I heard that winter or make centers might be going down to 40 beds from 80 this year. As well as reduced hours and multiple different warming houses throughout the Not profits to have the money to take care of these people and celebrities the to be open. They need to be opened up late. Folks need a place to stay
and that's what our public spaces. Think you thank you very much decide. My name is Xavier You gentlemen, representative. And I'm up here asking we're not asking talking about the funding for housing pretty much how it helped be able to keep our minds clear. Our goals and, you know, things that we want to do here in our community especially, you know, some of us want to some of us, all of us want to able to give back don't have much to say. But the housing it will really help a lot. Thank you very My name is putting John. I am a lifelong east. Side are born and raised. My grandmother still lives in
Ward 7 and we have a family group chat to figure out who's paying for his taxes this year. She's on a fixed income. I have the benefit of bing a. for motive, member of asked me so I no longer at the $17 wage. My big thing is. Prices are going up. We know that. Why are we not looking at external revenue sources? I work in the athletics department. So I get to do the free sports program, which has been a blessing for all of these kids. They can to win medals for the first time they get to Donna Saint Paul Jersey for the first time when I was their age. Those services allowed me to have a collegiate career and saw flames. The first person in my family to earn a degree and I brought those talents back to the city that made me who I am. To our kids. Get to play for free here. And then they spend hundreds of dollars to go do state tournaments and other cities. Why can't we
bring state tournaments here? Why do we allow non-residents to utilize our city services for free? We have children from Cottage Grove, from Newport, from Woodbury. We have people coming from all over the Metro to use our free sports program because my coworkers and I are good at our jobs. I don't understand why we're spending money on consultants that aren't from the city and for the city when really good at what we do and we can help the city deal with some of these budget touch right here at home. Thank you. Thank you very much. Hello, everyone. My name is Cole Hansen. I live at 18. 25 University Avenue West and Ward 4. I'm a dad. Health care worker. I just cross river and a renter and I would say first, thank you, Councilmember Kym for showing
up for a neighbors today. I'm also proud member of Twin Cities dsa an organization has been frustrated as we've seen our union family struggle to get their fair shake at City Hall and with the city budget. Local 21 or firefighters to keep my daughter and I say. Have been seeing cuts in this budget. Reasonable cut when we are increasing the density in our city. I'm also concerned about our asked me colleagues and friends and family. We're seeing cuts to their efforts so my daughter can have a safe place to go for recreational. I can enjoy a trip to library. These things are fundamental to living in a city. They're the basics. That's why people come to Saint Paul and the fact that this budget did not
prioritize the people that make this possible. There's a little more disappointing. Now. The last want to bring up is what is in the budget for half of our city, 150,000 residents who rent. They are getting lss than $5 out of this budget. Manage rent, stabilization and inspections. The rent stabilization cases that came up before this council just a few months ago. Hinged on the fact that tenants were able to represent themselves and work with the Housing Justice Center to get a seat at this table. How many more tenants in this city like myself like anybody else in this room have to figure out how to go by get along to get along with their landlord, even though they have a leaky
sink, we Fossett all broken hand rails. And the cities were job is to inspect them and hold them accountable. I want to see this for not only your families at my rent in the city, but your children and maybe if you happen to rent here, you deserve a safe Saint. Paul, to thank you so much. Thank Want name is Luke Melky of I thought having Isaac now because my brother a great jb as a librarian here in Saint Paul. I'm elected leadership for twin cities. Tsa. And I was mostly baking pies for Thanksgiving this morning and I ended up on Penn Avenue, Washington, tear High school students are and I was to keep And it was so aggressive with their pure
spray tear gas I I still burning right now, even though it's working at front of the crash. That's unacceptable. I don't see City Council to reverse the cuts that Melvin Carter for our libraries for rec centers. For our part, you what's up? These are the services that keep our city running, keep our residents safe. We need to be investing homes as response. Make sure folks are getting into housing, not taking up the approach we see in apple where they're dispersed, people from block to block with their eviction. That cuts. Other thing facing millions of dollars every year, just move people from around the city now actually getting into the housing. We make sure that we're investing in our response for hope help folks they are streets. They're 10 skins, their homes, not just the little things, cndidates. So instead of it, for a speedy
to some pain avenue or get out. Street developers ticket. Parker put a belt of corporate welfare developers which we invest our city. Workers cities running, make sure to keep folks in their homes. So thank Thank you. Hi and Daniel Findon considering the events that transpired in our city today. It's hard to be proud to be a Saint. Paul resident. And while it feels shallow to address property tax increases, that was the impetus for. The meeting today. And I can to address a concern as a 20 year Saint Paul Residential property owner, small business owner and commercial property owner. My commercial property tax proposed increase for 2026 is 35% in the last 5 years that has doubled. Going from 8,000 a year to 19,000. I don't know how I'm going to pay the
property taxes in 2026. All of this is happening? Well, I'm doing significant upgrades to the property keep the property. Well, my property values are decreasing. Well, the property taxes increase. You heard that property value decreased property tax increase. You can make sense. The city has failed to keep up their end of the property tax agreement. They have failed to plant trees on the boulevard for the last 5 years that were cut down 5 years ago and were supposed to be planted in the spring. They have failed to. Mean, teen the gas meter. They have failed to maintain the sidewalks, creating unsafe conditions, formal complaints by myself and several area residents have been filed to no avail. There is rubble on a sidewalk that provides handicap access to te street that people have slipped and been injured There are areas of the sidewalk that are low
freeze over despite very diligent shoveling and ice melt being applied and it allows water to come into the building is eroding the stucco and provides a skating rink on the sidewalk that has a small business owner. I cannot continue to maintain. Despite all of these the property taxes are inappropriate and unsustainable. I can no longer afford to raise my family in Saint Paul or be a small business owner Thank you very much. Thanks the silent. name is Valerie makes and it's 66 Marshall Avenue and I am a community. Recreation leader is Saint Paul Parks and recreation centers and a proud member nothing to 42. I want to begin by saying that I moved here from Kansas in an area that I had extremely limited access to centers, libraries and public services. I am concerned with the money
we spend sp pd when the attack citizens instead of our instead of honor, you need the resources that we provide as frontline workers. All of my co-workers have helped countless families. Frank, a grants for their family's unique needs and instead of finding funding going towards increasing those programs and resources and pains to front-line workers who provide that funding is going to Saint Paul police terrorizing these families. His provide services resources and emotional support for youth, including after a horrific raids like this morning's and many of those workers also go home without enough of a paycheck for all of their business. I'm asking you to support everything that occurs and you work with and support our youth and families. Thank you very much. I think you my name is Jackie. I'm a resident of Ward. 4. I've lived in Saint Paul
since 2007 Saint Paul feels like home to me. I love my neighborhood. I seriously feel like I won the neighbor lottery. I imagine living in Saint Paul for the rest of my life and yet here today because I feel like I'm being tax out of my home. According to recent kcp news story, Minnesota property taxes are going up 6.9%. Overall. My property taxes are going up. 18.8% next year. My understanding is that are tax increases based on a host value increase. However, I do not believe for one minute that I would be able to get anything near the estimated market value lists it on my property tax proposal. I do not have the time or energy to contests are statement are inflated valuation. And if I
did, that would only benefit me as the outcome or even favorable. So instead I come here before you today with the request to do better for the citizens of Saint Paul, the people you, sir, please do better. Which is better look like curious about why they're such large discrepancies between the sate average and what the citizens you serve might see on the statements we open each year. Do everything you can to minimize those increases. D better showing us why you had no other options than increase taxes again this year after increasing them last year and year before and the year before. And the year before. At some point, I feel like we're going to have to choose between the home. We love and their family's financial well-being. And that makes me sad. Thank you. Thank you very
much. Make sure to sign it. Zac fears. Look at 17, 17 Van Buren Avenue and simple. And I can say this year of the privilege of being an English teacher at simple senior high school and the privilege of working every day with the amazing people in our city. I wasn't planning to come up I didn't learn about the what happened today. You know, in the school day long, heartbroken crossed some angry, but I'm not surprised. I remember under Mayor Cleman Torch. I was woken up at 05:00am in the morning on servant evident from town to the sound of that. A battering ram knocking a door and Saint Paul Public Police Department was right there with the Border Patrol with news. I'm not surprised because I used
to work at it. It was worth the Do I bring just about that being closed? We're just wasting library. And I remember Councilmember Kym Point where working with Councilmember Ben Mowen, they used to bring 70 80 cops every summer a street parade to, you know, control things and keep things. You know, and it was always fighting always to sort all these problems when we got together when staff and the library staff and councilmembers office. And if few certain people within the police department actually got to give panned against. We had great family events for the community with no incidents, no fighting, no property destruction because we knew the families. We need the case. So stop putting more money into center of simple police department and put it
into the front line workers and election years. Fire department libraries, everybody who knows the kids who knows the families has those relationships like Thank you very much. Brian. Do be 21. 21 Berkeley Avenue, Saint Paul. the metro area, return visit or returning much like the first Brian that spoke tonight. Not sure I'm going to do anything here. I had a came spoke last year. Frustration It still didn't turn in and that budget won't pretty much as as proposed. $9705. As my tax. What it was my tax in 2024. Was raised t 11,000 to 50 last year. And now $12,384 to the math. That's $1134
increase this year. And 2679 for the last 2 years. You know, 10.1% this year. And 27.6% over the last 2 years. 10.1% versus the 5.3. I don't know what that means. $108 annual increase versus Milton. 34 for this year. I just doesn't add up. My 10.1% increase. That's not just a 10.0. One per 6% increase. That's increase in base. They already increased by 16 point 9% last year. It's unsustainable. Every year. Your company, Mike, only obviously isn't equally distributed, getting larger
and larger percentage of the tax pie. I'm all for paying my fair share. Reasonable taxes for essential services. But I think that's the point. Is there not reasonable taxes and they're well beyond the essential services we need. The truth is this is unfair or unjust on constable in the hands and the truth in taxation is. That what you are doing is not working for the average family. Make sure to send thank you. Come up. Spencer, you hurt my wife earlier. I'm member of asked me by proxy. I'm just here to add to the voices that have already been said here tonight. What I saw not the Minnesota way. We're supposed boost full-speed, Minnesota. Nice. And wat we saw today
was not nice at all. And so I'm ask this council much like many of the other cast members here to invest our public service and invest our frontline workers. Yes, somebody who does. I think we all can agree you know, safety, something that we can all agree that we all care about. And people feel safe when their basic needs are met. Health care, food, shelter. And that is what I want this council to focus on, invest in the people because as the saying goes, a chain is only as strong. Speaking as its weakest link. Thank you. Thank you very much. Hello, my name is Jake Klein. Ads on behalf you, John, in place for I must say it is tragic to hear about the events that occurred today. So fortunate people had to get pepper spray and mace try to protest peacefully on behalf what they believe in. But I'm
here asking for funding for huge on place. Been a resident of that for the last 5 years. Have you changed my life around in effect? Others my age and younger. Feel like it's been a prominent key in the neighborhood of Rondo for black men and utilizing the tools and the safeties in the procedures that we've been doing last couple years has been helping people like me and my fellow a brother But in of the things that people are saying today I can't help but to address that. And also the housing crisis for. African-American man coming out incarceration. I was never incarcerated, but I see the effect. I just want to say if we can do better as a
community of Saint Paul, people, so just upon within come together, not separate be better citizens, a society, which is using all words and actions not abusing of power and athority. It's tough for them. An and a yeah. Other than that, I just want to say it's nice and everybody here coming together stay bessent have a blessed night. Thank you very much. Was the Clinton community rec leader at feeling? It's heartbreaking to see police did today to have kids come and scared the lockdown. School and think and they see the pleas at they We should be ashamed. Kids are scared. Now with him guns, the schools, the guns, yu know, and that is they know they to worry about the people they're supposed to protect them.
Being the ones that are hurting them. And just ridiculous. Hre for my local Jun 42. As a frontline worker. Asking for I mean, I barely make it out of the single her and I have an affordable housing came up from the streets and then homeless before I know what it's It's very scary to think I could go back to where it was because my rent almost to both m paychecks a month ad ridiculous. And it was to be affordable. Housing. Sad that this is this is what the real for the U.S.. Hi, my name is Taylor. I mean word and a member of the Twin Cities, Democratic Socialists America. We are bleeding money. We are spending it to fund encampment evictions. We can look to Minneapolis to see how
expensive this really is. A published in numbers. We don't. And now we're about to spend almost more than 700,000 to move a bathroom in the Rhondda library. I think we know where get money from. Just have to decide that we're going to put. Are dollars towards care and put that $4 for scare over punishment. We can fulfill these full-time employment if we push the money around. Thank you. Thank you very much. High City Council. My name is tight as foreseen. I represent Place a museum, a man. So what I have to say today is there's been a lot of us and down in my life points of my life and also a lot of highs and lows. But life cycle roller coaster. It has different ups and downs and different trajectories all the
time. So never know where you're going. But with huge animal has given me a chance to put that trajectory somewhere, where is more helpful for me and more better for the community, too. And also for my which I'm a father of a three-year-old. And I just want him to have the same future that I'm having right now with your general because they have taught me a lot of things that I have not known before. And now, you know, 9 and that's all I have to say Thank you very Coach Key from general placed on own asked if phone is why housing We do great work we do great work. We transform we Production will stop or sagnation transformation. So a lot of guys come in. They broke it. And, you know, this program
has life back to do you I'm just asking what it that you could for you or your family, your heart? And you know, it was it would give us his house and these folks with his house. You kow, these guys you know, these guys don't know to they'll do to us, but we have to train them that he still. Especially in the House aspect, you know, so. I just wish you know, talk about today because I was. I was not aware a Paul. You know, to have people standing ground before you and to you, don't know if you go to someone out about it. But wow, you know, I mean, protect and serve right? You know, so I mean, what was going happen? You'll So I mean, we helped you guys get in the seas
right? Help us help us write. We j. So All we need got to do which swore that I was going too right? So coast he Thank you very much. My name is camera. Saw 11, 12 75 pain nobody special. Nothing. Huge online that and I'm just somebody who lives in the neighborhood that was terrorized this morning. Appreciate was gonna say ice has no place operating, please back up in the same pond neighborhood is when ice rose to a police report. It sends a message federal immigration enforcement is more important. The community trust. Are supposed to protect us or anybody regardless of immigration status. When ice packs, they break that trust and make people afraid to call for help accountability matters. Ice agents should be
held accountable for excessive force. Other law enforcement officers would sometimes. Mixing immigration enforcement with everyday. Please makes all of us less safe. People stop reporting crash. It was stopped cooperating and people live in fear instead of community. I got a whole lot to say every paycheck. 5, 6, 2, Edmund and Ward a student worker at a tenant here in Saint Paul. And I have seen 5 evictions at large encampments this year. Been involved in 4 of them helping people moved to new locations. And I am upset at how much money could be spent on this. And we are unknowingly spending your money instead of. I'm very upset at the fact that we are thinking about cutting ems overnight, Sabo parks and rec goes Saint Paul Library hours. Spending this money, evicting people from their plays. A poll in winter
in the case of mountains of the iagination and I want the amount of money that disclosed, the amount of money to spend and additions to be disclosed as well as I want the money to go to services that assist people instead of punish for being poor and unable the Florida Thank you very much. At this point, I'm going to do just another call for folks who are still meeting to speak tonight. If you don't mind lining up at this So we have a sense of who's left. We really appreciate it. Go ahead, Sir. Thank Hi, my name is Josh Lowe of 2076 James Avenue. Really quick high-level. I did want to echo the folks like myself who have experienced pretty high property tax increases. I think last year's year-over-year increases like 25 to 20% this year. It's 10%. But I didn't really want that to be the story I live here because of great services. My
kids go library. They go to the parks. I ride my bike. All those things are all right. So the thing that I really want to emphasize is just expanding the tax base. When I hear lady talk about her taxes are so high for her business. She think about leaving the city. But after read about months and by early leaving downtown or Cup foods closing or the at-home thing midway that was open for like, what? 18 months. Those are major problems. So I don't have specific solutions to that. But I do think like a laser focus. But keeping the city hospitable for business to me, it would be very, very hgh at the top of the priority list because it really helps everything else. If homeowner and I have to experience those burdens of the taxes because it's not falling on commercials. Right? So getting that balance right helps everyone else in this room recipe cut property taxes, even if you're not a
homeowner, you are a renter who indirectly has to experience is property tax increases right? So really placing that focus on attracting businesses and making this environment where businesses want to stay and maintain their operations. Have a friend who works in commercial real estate in western Wisconsin. And he was talking about some from that was thinking about moving out of the city. A confidential things that I want to get into it. But he mentioned how terrible is going to be for Saint Paul. And my reaction to that is like you're killing me, man. But that's his job. And that's of that. From shopping to find out the best place for them. And I really want you to do as much of a deep dive as you can to figure out. What are those conditions that could make. This is want
to stay so. I do want to talk about specific task because because cuts because my kids use all of those services. It's one of the things that makes a simple, great. So to Thank you. Thank you very much. My name is Ben Island felt a look at 6.51. Portland and I any library associate the - Georgia Library. Feel lucky every single day to have gotten the position that I have. It is as far as I've experienced at well, paying job and it is infuriating every single day. To see some of my co-workers who are working in the carefully union. Doing hard work and getting paid so little. It is absolutely outrageous because they're working more frontline than even we are. Sometimes
they're working the front desk there dealing all of this stuff and they make. I like again, $17 an hour. Something like that. It's it's ridiculous. And it's even more infuriating to know about that. And to also know that the Rondo Library is spending so much money to relocate its bathrooms. Let's change that. No one who actually works the front lines at Rondo wants no matter what anyone in the library administration say. If you talk to anyone who works the front desk at around, if you talk to libraries, the safety Rondo, anyone who engages with the community there. They will all say it is not only a waste of money. It
is actively harmful to the stated goals of moving the bathrooms. And so for city for the library to be spending nearly a million dollars on this project is outrageous when that money could be spent again investing in the front line. Staff investing in our facilities to actually improve. Ten to maintain than anything like that. And I ask that keep that in mind and you look for more clarity as to why. These changes are being made. From irate Ministration. Hi, my name's Dave. I'm on it live and work homeowner. I want to talk the city services are in a lot of cases, lack thereof that we're being asked to pay an awful lot more for. Boulevard. Trees
never get Trump getting longer. There's a 10 year term schedule. That's right from the Parks Department branches are allowed to hang over people's causing damage to roofs, siding and even more damage going from squirrels. Tree trimming request, go unanswered with no response or action taken. I almost nver see a city tree trimming crew at work in Saint Paul. Where are they? The emerald ash trees have been mostly removed from city property. What's the excuse now? Why do we continue to plant Bullard trees that we can never hope to maintain? Where are my tax dollars being spent? It's not untrue maintenance. There is not. There's no longer any sidewalk repairs being done in very little street maintenance, pothole repairs, etc. Apparently safety is no longer important. So what We are building more bypass one week out cannot repair streets and
sidewalks. The street lamps and some areas are not even being Sixt anymore. The como area as an example, my girlfriend lives over there. The neighborhoods are dark and scary at night and have remained that way. There's multiple many street lamps that are out and it's it's start black. Is It is not just a copper wire theft issue. I think that's becoming too much of an excuse. It's also a lack of maintenance. Where ae my tax dollars going? My proposed tax increase is 21.3%. That is combining with the county. But that's half a whopping tax increase the rate of inflation is about 4 to Can the city and county asking for 5 to 6 times that much. We are literally driving people out of their homes or out to the suburbs with this class increase. City of city services are not being provided in many cases. So
what are we being taxed for? A huge tax increases apps are especially in these tough times. Employee wages are only up about 2 to 4%. All city departments state. They are short-staffed. So where's the money that's being saved and sellers, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. The Senate. And my name is just for an unlimited 2, 6, 7, Maria and Ward 7. Who homeowner. I'm probably on the younger side of people that you've seen tonight that is able to say that. And I know I come from the place is great privilege to be able to sy that. Part of the reason is my house is not fancy. The House is 105 years old. We bought a fixer-upper because it was our only shot. At home ownership and investing in Saint Paul is something that. Clearly
willing to do and I know have paid you. There's over $20,000 in the 5 years that I've been the homeowner here and that is pennies compared to others. What I'm hearing tonight is this money is not reaching for. Neds to go. Rec workers, firefighters, library and safety staff. Huge on a place like these are where our money needs to be going. These are also the places feeling the budget constraints and people constituents coming to the table with good ideas. But your actions are speaking volumes financially. Prioritizing consultants, institutions like Saint Thomas McAllister, developers evicting our Unhoused neighbors tell us approvals of rent increases in the thousands undermining rent
stabilization. Thank you for that. Undermining the will of your constituents. Council said councils launching board's meetings and meetings and meetings that will determine nothing but build layers between you, our mayor and your cnstituents and the Saint Paul police. My house, we don't reward bad behavior. Bus 3 million dollars. Sounds like a good This budget clearly does not reflect the value of your constituents just because it is better does not mean it good. It. Please reconsider. Represent and wire here. is not. Well, 15 Conway Street by my house for one 50. Imagine that. Was $900 a month. I did. The home buyers program got the loan, loved it, loved it. Love Saint Paul
samples. Great right. And then also done. Wow. It's aspiring out of control. I didn't buy my house to be. To make U.S. Bank rich. I didn't find my thanks to build a soccer stadium. I didn't buy my house to improve the Wild stadium. I didn't buy my house for saying condo so these people can live and market rate apartments that cost $1400 or 700 square feet. I didn't. I didn't do that. I want to live. Your cause is a great city. But instead you know, MAY sing our citizens. Maybe we should arrest the people are getting drunk at these events and then driving home to the suburbs. People are getting wasted at these hockey matches that these baseball games at these other things. But they're free to go. People are standing there trying to help someone and they're getting maced.
It by my house for that. And I didn't b my people who make 6 figures in the political department can make have better wages and benefits people over here. We fought for 15 at these people are getting 17. Is that what we fought for? $2. Extra above 50. And the state, but take the most calls. And they end up with injuries and illness and they are our heroes. No one ever says, you know, the fire department. We love them so Pay them. Hello, my name is Carl. I live in words tree and I just wanted to highlight that, especially after the events this morning today. Point of the budget. Where in the police are getting a proposed 30 point to 6% of the buy cut spending by departments to me, at least seems quite agree. Just considering that like
public works is getting 11.12% in-person wreck is getting 12 point 97%. I would question the utility of funding to such a large policing forces seems more fcused on care, rising members of her community especially gas in us. South. I Thank you very much. Hi, my name is Katie Craft and I live in Ward 4 on 4 of 5 Herschel Street. Lot of my neighbors wanted to be here tonight and I represent them today. We're here to talk about where money should go in Saint Paul. But we also have to talk about where it shouldn't go. It's unacceptable that Saint Paul Resources were used to attack Saint Paul residents today were protesting illegal actions taken by ice. We need an audit of the money. Those resources that were spent today to do that. And frankly, it's time for the city council
and the mayor to play hardball. The sides are experimenting with new brazenly illegal tactics and violent tactics. They're detaining protesters disappearing citizens of Saint Paul for hours at a time like they did to one of my neighbors who is at Borough Tax last week. That they're deploying pepper spray. As we've heard tonight, violently attacking citizens and they're lying to public officials like you about what they're doing and who they are. The authoritarian takeover is here. And today our city finance, their bodyguards. Policy regarding Saint Paul police participating in federal immigration raids is insufficient. We need City Council, the mayor to do more then ask questions and explore policies sdpd actions today that cost us money and that needs to be reflected in their
budget. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Hello, good. A it's even those afternoon a little while ago. But my name is Carla Franco, West Sider. I'm born and raised for generations. I a also currently a city member of the Saint Paul. Public Schools Board of Education. And so we will also be hosting a, you know, a meeting like this next week to hear from constituents about the impact take spared tax dollars going into public budgets. And I kow that our public budgets are stretched right now. And so don't. And the again, the position that we're all in right now because we are trying to do more ad there's many factors that go into that. However, one of the things that I do the U.S. The opportunity that exists right now here with this table. I think what we all saw today
with the raid I'm the psi and seeing our Saint Paul Police Department involved in that in mediate in large-scale response that was able to happen in such a short period of time. What I know is being a community member that's involved in several nonprofits at a tense community events. What I know is we would send a big old fat bill to a community organization to have a community event like the West Side. Cinco de Mayo like Rondo days $100,000 like the j 4 event to hve that level of response. But we here in the city of Saint Paul today demonstrated that we can mobilize that level of response. And I hope and expect that because of that cooperation. We're setting a big goal bill to the federal
government to pay for service today. The last thing that I will say is world number. I also know that we hve to have solidarity with our frontline staff. We've demonstrated how to do that. And I believe that when we invest in our front-line people, these are the people that are actually going to have to process the trauma. That our young people hve experienced not only today. before before before they can. I really encourage us. To have solidarity, invest in our front line, but also Senate bill over to the federal government for their response. Thank you very much. Hi, my name is Kate Allen. I'm a parent and a community member o the East side Saint Paul and the 5, 5, 1, 3, 0 zip code and also spf eu union member in a school social worker for Saint Paul. Public
schools. I'm a while. I was not present this morning at the isis raid. That happened just blocks from my house. I was at my school, supported my students. Coincidentally at the exact same time, I what's happening? One of my students was in crisis at school. My coworkers and I had to talk to a young student this morning who was seriously considering taking their own life because they're so afraid of their family being deported. And what could happen to the people that they love. While my coworkers and i are very skilled at supporting students through these type of crises, we're at a loss for how to comfort this young person besides to tell them we would keep them safe while they're at school. We can plan all day about safety plans to help our students cope. But I'm heartbroken that I have to tell my students that police
will protect them from ice. There are many hurts that I can offer a small comforts to make better. But this one I cannot. This needs to get under control now. No child should have to experience this type of trauma as a school, social worker and terrified that this is just the beginning. And I'm going to have to have many more of these conversations in the coming months. I can't stress enough how much we cannot have spp be supporting this. Saint Paul Police Department is supposed to protect us, our schools, our families and the children that were all responsible for. Not to 8 ice and stealing our children and community members. This is the wrong side of history and needs to stop now. Thank you very Hi, my name is Jessica. Don't resident of Dayton's Bluff and I am a proud executive board member for asking local 18.
42. I am lucky enough to own my all. But many of my fellow members cannot say the same nor will they be able to on these poverty wages that we are offered. I'm happy to pay higher taxes so long as they actually go to the front line and continued city services such as libraries and parks, not more militarized police and 6 fear administrative. Nobody's. I urge you. To chat from the tap and invest in your front line. Workers. Thank you. Thank you very much. I'm going to one last call. Anyone else here to speak tonight. Otherwise our plan will be to end up with you. otherwise, maybe take a little stretch break in between. But I think this is this is manageable. Welcome up. Hi, thank you, Amanda. I live in Frogtown. I my home phone home. I have lived here
for 5 years. First, I want to say that I do represent the party for socialism and liberation here in the Twin Cities. I don't know how to encapsulate exactly what we learned today. Mayor Carter has stated this is obviously in regards to the ice right, that he's on aware. Unaware. Governor Waltz also claimed the say she is unaware. So wat is spd doing there? I just want to drive that point home. I think we've really heard enough. But going back to the budget proposal. I never prepare anything, but I'm always motivated to speak because my community members do excite me and make me want to come up here. So if this is jumbled, I sincerely apologize. I just want to point out that there was a recent study
published today that family of 4 in America actually needs to make $138,000 to live in the poverty line. What we know today in Saint Paul is that $70,000 is the medium median income here in our city. We are not only being squeezed as the working class by Xcel who is going to increase or rates by 13% in 2026. But we are also being squeezed by this budget proposal. I want to call out that the city of Saint Paul is the largest user of tests. 44 million dollars to be exact. Yet properties do not fund public services, which we have heard testimony here today is exactly what our community needs and rather leave. The depends on. I think that we really need
to articulate the fact that the working class is being squeezed here and that if you don't represent your constituents, who will. Thank you very much. My name is Jordan, Corey. I live at 5, 3, 6, Jenks Avenue East to believe or 5. I'd like to echo the calls to build the federal government as well as to conduct an audit of spd spending. With that. I have a couple questions. How much did the raid cost us today? How much will it cost After the end of everything after their lawsuits for being maced? Why isn't he spd here begging for money like our libraries are. If you're more. Our libraries or the spd. Undocumented people still pay taxes. They
still use our services. At businesses who pay taxes. Why are we? Giving a 30% increase to someone who cost money. Kansas, funny. Good evening. My name is Peter Hendricks. I'm a resident of Ward. 3 and I like to compel this council to think about what it means to be a transparent public servant and what accountability First, I'd like to talk about this notice that everyone who is a property tax received in the mail and those translations. For the Spanish. For tonight's hearing marked a stray state DECEMBER 8 de dos Mil being to sing coalesce sakes. DECEMBER 3rd. The wrong
day. I use Google translate for them on It also refers to tonight's hearing as Tuesday. DECEMBER 3rd. That's unfortunate. I looked at the proposed budget for the City Council. The department goals. Transparency, transparent, financial decisions, strengthen relationships with residents through outreach. I compel counselor, PRESIDENT Maker to tell me where the war 3 budget meetings were. But I heard outside the budget meetings were held various ports throughout the city. That didn't happen. I reached out to Ward 3 to ask about the council's budget. And I received response that the war office budget will be $1000 next year. We have no planned expenditures for that money. Nothing flashy for more office, MR. Hendrix. We don't really use the Ward office budget. And our approach to
the budget is about functional course. Services and infrastructure delivered efficiently. First of all, t refer to nothing flashy, MR. Hendrix, I wasn't looking for anything flashy. I want to countable government that's transparent and responsive. Thank you to war one for sending out a newsletter that I received on Friday about this hearing and about amendments that we're one is proposing night to reach out to were 3 about those amendments. How are 3 another? Officers can use the budget is communicate. Thank you very much for the Senate. My name is Bob I am a new resident of Saint Paul. I live in 5, 5, 1, 1, 7, And when I told my family that was mving
there. They told me be careful. Watch out. And I have today that. I'm not afraid. I'm on a I afraid of ice on the fate of the police who works hand in And so I'm here to say anything new. I'm just here to. Add to the mounting witness and evidence. Saint Paul police. It acting peaceful protesters. Unprovoked. In fact, when I was pepper sprayed in the face. The people along friends and neighbors, we were complying. With Saint Paul police to move back. And in doing so. We got pepper sprayed in face. And soul. I just want to echo again the calls for accountability. And also too reconcile this budget increase
with actual public safety. I want to thank you. Councilmember was income from being there. Thank you for your coach. I am Oliver does I live down West 7th. I have lived there for almost a decade and I've never been to a. Meeting here before. So very nervous. It's great. I worked with the warming spaces program since night. One of the pilot. We were a hand selected from a the shelter in hotels program from covid. So I'm used to masking up every night. I do that to protect myself and protect the people around me and I can't do that and more because masked thugs are coming into our. Neighborhoods and into our homes. And I don't want to scare the kids that I work
with. And that's more important to me protecting my my own health on that level. There are other things that I can do. But I want to see that audit of te Saint Paul Police Department because this is. It's not ok. I originally came here for the the fire department. I was told that we were cutting the overnight team for. The fire department. I I've seen them save lives. We need them and I'm worried that. Police necessarily policed I guess police to, but I'm worried that ice is going to come into our programs and snatched up our kids while they're trying to sleep because they take they take citizens too. They're not just taking our neighbors. Or maybe not with all the paperwork that they need. But I wasn't supposed to have to walk around with all
my papers. It's been a long day. My name is Sean. Tell Allen and I live in Ward 4. I'm not going to give you my actual address because the federal government sees activists as the enemy. And cearly the safe apd is conspiring with the federal government. I'm not safe for my city. I'm a 4th generation Rondo. Individual. Our whole community has been torn apart and disrupt it. And today. I genuinely don't feel safe in my city. I've been here many times to tell you there's been actions towards us just trying to have our First Amendment rights that were violated, violating us. And I didn't feel safe. But today it just felt really different. It felt really different. And I know that
there was a statement that came out that said that the police officers were there to protect us. But when I saw them standing there, they were they were facing the federal. Police officers. Keeping our eyes on Said this over and over again about all kinds of different things. But in this city, we're just putting more and more surveillance on our citizens. And then we're over a school board member understand why taxes are going up. Budget is a moral contract. And I don't understand why there's people that still qualify for food stamps. That are underneath care. Understand how. Cut in the firefighters. Budget when those that's literally the only entity that shows up morally correct. Is closing again. Thank you
very side. You know me, I got to take my time 2 minutes just Thank you very And I don't understand equals about 2 years ago. Rondo with to a whole nother renovation. When people started talking about the activity that was happening, that, you know, they'll mall. Nothing changed of to the other We need to wrap up here. We are on the It's a situation right? Thank you so mch. And why they're just moving some things around. I hate to use this language here place, but I got to tell you. Us in our community, we see that as make a control. Thank you. Please just be will very much. Think I think I'm waiting. I want thank you all because I think you have a really tough job and it's been a really
tough time. I think there's opportunity here, actually. I should introduce myself. I'm Julie Bason Ward 5. I've also been attending the meetings for the last year. I think you all have an opportunity here because I share many of the sentiments in this room and you have citizens who love this city. And one is see it had a better direction. So you're not going to be confused about what the values are related to stewardship of our money. Or the values are related to what our priorities should be. Inner city budget. And so I would really encourage you to go ahead and drop all the resources that have been shared tonight and
go forward in your work and do some really transformational leadership in making this city turned 180 toward the right direction. So thank you. Thank you very much. Make sure to sign it. Yeah, it's just So you name and where you're coming from. Aging pie. Word went around 5, precinct 6 Anyway. So are still going to be restart the time. Is there going to be a hearing on DECEMBER 3rd for the people who once they speak, Spanish bonds with fake mom was his fake Somali want to stick around. They got message. So. I'm hoping.
Thank you very Kind. All right. I want I want to thank everyone very much for coming to our meeting. Tonight's I want to acknowledge again that. This has been an incredibly tough moment in our community. And I I'm grateful to everyone for sharing your ideas and your passion your anger and your dismay. And from listening to each other. And we hear you and we will be thinking about everything that you've given us to think about tonight and we will be getting to work. So thank you all so much. And we are adjourned.