Call the meeting at the Saint Paul City Council to order Roll call Police COUNCILMAN Johnson here Tim here here. We Coleman PRESIDENT Acre here. 7 present non absent. Welcome, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us. In our city council meeting today, we'd like to start by inviting everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. to the flag. A United States there. And to the Republic for stands. One nation under GOD. And all liberty and justice. Consent agenda items 5 to 13 or before you for your consideration anything to be taken for separate consideration. Seeing none. I'll take a motion vice PRESIDENT To approve the balance of the consent agenda
on favor. Say Aye. 7 in favor not opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as as take a motion from his Kim to suspend the rules to consider a resolution to appoint a cult under as our city clerk. All in favor suspending the rules. Please say Aye. 7 in favor. None oppose. The rules are suspended. Resolution item. 26 dash 5. 22 point the cold till city clerk. All right. Well, this is really exciting day. I think we said earlier today that our city Council department is now officially at full staff to capacity, which hasn't happened in a really long time. So the no one can means and we are really excited to welcome our new city clerk, a nickel toned are feeling that very, very big shoes of sharing more that we have looking forward coming for some time. We're excited to have you. I would make the motion appoint slender and
then we will have an official swearing-in. Is there any discussion of the motion? Seeing none all in favor say Aye. Post. 7 in favor. None oppose. The resolution is adopted. And our interim city clerk for this moment, j Wilmes will come down to do the swearing in. I's hard for city clerk to swear herself in and can. I see a name do you solemnly Do solemnly swear to support the Constitution, to support the Constitution of the United States, the United States and the state of Minnesota and of the state Minnesota and to discharge faithfully and to discharge faithfully the duties devolving upon me, the duties devolving me as the city clerk as the city clerk of the city of Saint Paul at the city of Safed. To the best of my judgment and ability to the best of my
judgment and ability shuns. Welcome. It's still under. We thought it would be cruel and unusual to have you immediately come up here and start reading. So we'll start that next week. Item number 14 resolution, 26, dash 502, before for consideration. Recognize the contribution of talks to a bang. That's putting you council PRESIDENT Will head up to the podium for this. I am introducing a resolution to recognize to shore for his contributions and leadership in our city here own committee and also to recognize Wednesday, MARCH 25th 2026 as to show big day in the See pause. I do want to
invite to show being along with his wonderful family members up to the podium here with me. So come on up and join me. Welcome. Thank you so much for being here. Well, this is a really special I am so honored to be here. It show and his family. And I want to say thank you to my wonderful friends and sister. Hear me to me who reached out for a resolution honor her father-in-law. These are her family members here as well. They had a really beautiful gala this past to celebrate Tish ally. And while I was not able to make it, was very determined to get social here so that we could honor him in person at City Hall and want to say thank you to you might want legislate a pull for working hand-in-hand with me
to need to put together the resolution here. And the first thing I would say is that I'm so grateful to the council here. Also previous councils for your support and always bringing forward a resolution to honor veterans. When the opportunity arises. This is Army veteran told a very special place in my heart because they fought alongside of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency mmbers during this Secret War during the Vietnam War. And this is a Secret That's why it's called the ad. And that to this day, living in the U.S. They still do not get back ignition out for their veteran status. Do not get benefits at all. But they're still here sharing their stories driving. Building committees, building our city. And we are so deeply grateful for them. Asked thing
born in 1948. In some it allows he is a respected elder and carry out leader whose life reflects on courage, resilience and a lifelong dedication to service. And whereas in 1967 social thing that Central Intelligence Agency, cia officer Cherrie Daniels, it was we could to assist the special guerrilla unit, also known as Sku during the Secret War in Laos, serving in a special scouting and support role by observing enemy movements. Gathering critical information reporting intelligence to eschew you. Soldiers and helping guide troops safely through unfamiliar and dangerous, dangerous terrain while thousands soldiers fought alongside the United States and the military operation supporting American efforts during the Vietnam War. And whereas the most soldiers of
the Secret War meet extraordinary sacrifices in defense for freedom with many risking their lives to support the United States and its allies. Whereas following the fall of Laos in 1975 veterans and their families face persecution and were forced to flee their homeland seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Tissue living and his family sought safety at Night Refugee camp in Thailand and leader immigrated to te United States in 1979. Where they rebuilt their lies, whereas after settling in Saint Paul, Minnesota official being became a respected member of the community supporting fellow veterans, mentoring younger generations and helping preserve the history and cultural traditions of the most people and whereas through volunteer
work culture, leadership and participation in a year celebrations and other community events from 1998, to 2019 being help strengthen the community unity and could cultural pride whereas to show he's a devoted husband to choose shown thing. A loving father of 7 children and a proud grandfather at 34 grandchildren. Leaving a lasting legacy of family values and community service. Whereas the see pop how the recognizes the contributions among veterans and leaders whose courage and resilience have enrich the city's Diversity, Inc chief and the community now, therefore, be it resolved that the Saint Paul City Cuncil honors to thing for his service during te Secret War
in Laos. His leadership within committee and his lifelong dedication to preserving history, culture and community. Be it for the resolve that the Saint Paul City Council here by proclaims Wednesday, MARCH 25th 2026. has to show day in the city of Saint Paul. Thank you, everyone. I just like to make a few remarks To show up with this. I have total con which is thinking for I which I think the more like a chimney. But on the menu, shouldn't have to hosting on a minute. He knew yet the way in the jump with know couple also has a wish. And was she taping article but paying hoping don't have a choice. You talk it, the more the judge will hear the call the more evening seeing you have to go. You go down that knuckle call. That's a feeling
it because mean to you and it was time to call the Michael Waca to show this up and feel me on my do not I mean, I agree with Klein night at 08:00pm. It get the thing they should and want to cut the pitch a that painting and he knew what she show up high. Do it I have to by hitting And so that I would like to welcome to need to say a few remarks on behalf of the family. Good aternoon. My name is made to and I'm here my family. On behalf families that want to say thank you to see Saint Paul and councilmember yes, again for beautiful of a teenage patients honest, my father, issue we truly appreciate are big it today. Followed him and he what car on is the whole life. Strong sticker father,
and joining Certifies 4 assists means so much to us. And this one, the conditions. It's not only for him but mostly fall families and also for the community. I is we might assume. Stay strong and how work and continued to legacy. De View and the south of you. Thank you again to city of Khan. So and also has a member now see for beautiful. Honest today. And thank you so much. And I would a couple months of my dad can understand that. A little bit humid to shown city that which ankle high do what you want go see the same councilmember now. So yeah, what the more than a like that with tissue of ai Beijing she had So should he? Hank? And it's going to Jane a new Take John thanks. He was known Channing. Yeah. 8h inning laws should
shunned. All one of child. And one notch. Don't a suit that she don't a changing p a Get a vehicle. It was shown pfa a close one in family t. You could see a typical she what do See? Because city of Saint Paul so member now see game don't like Harden. All want thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, council PRESIDENT, because the bill, mostly we have to leave in a bag you want make sure we get a photo with them. And so if any of the council members would like to join me on stage, please do. Get a good photo implode will be taking the full force. That's over Council vice PRESIDENT. And thank you so much for your leadership in bringing this forward. Thank you so much, too. Family members and to all of you for be it is really an honor, sir, to be in your presence. And
we're grateful for your service. I think we should take a vote on this. So I'll take it. That is motion for approval for missing. In favor. Say Aye. A post 7 in favor and not oppose. The resolution is adopted. Item. 15 is resolution. 26 dash 5 of the 3 recognizing District 5 Pain Phalen Community Council's executive director Jack fires for his service in the East side of Saint Paul. And declaring Sunday MARCH 29th 2026. As Jack buyers today in the city of Saint Paul as PRESIDENT And thank you, council PRESIDENT. I am introducing a resolution here to honor backfires. Executive director for the pain from the committee counsel and also to proclaim this upcoming Sunday as Jack Buyers Day in the city of Saint Paul. One of the
reasons why is because we the committee is during a very special retirement celebration for him this upcoming Sunday. The first off, I do want to invite Jack law made Gas, your family, friends that I know many of the committee members who are supporting him are here in the room today to see if you can join me on stage here at the great. So come on Well, come up. Thanks for being here. If you can crowd in between the 2 golden columns, then you'll be on our 5 live cameras up once. I want to give a special thanks to Rob an from the pain feeling committee counsel for working with ploy to put together the resolution here. And amongst I million viewers, as we always talk about,
there's family members from Philly who are here watching So we want to say hi to the Today's a really special day what I love about the work that we do here City Hall as we come across so many. Leaders who wear their heart on their sleeves hurt so deeply passionate about the work they do to always improve the lives of our residents in the city. And it just really love what they can just I really feel that and fires is one of those people for many of on which is why this resolution is both exciting, but also very bittersweet because, Jack, it's really been an honor working with and I will MISS Working with you and hving our meetings with each other discussing about what we can continue doing to bring justice equity to the pain family Community And so with that, I'm going to read
resolution. Fires back to district 5, his skills and collaborative committee process, Urban design, historic preservation, transportation planning and creative placemaking. He earned his master of Arts and Phd in urban geography at the University of Minnesota. Bachelor of Science and Architectural Studies at the Philadelphia College of Art Fire served as the manager of community planning from Minneapolis where he was a lead partner in a groundbreaking National Endowment of the Ats that funded the creative city making pilot Minneapolis in 2013, create a city making foster cooperation between local artists and city planners to develop fresh and innovative approaches for addressing the long-term transportation land, use economic environmental and social issues facing the city and local communities. Whereas in 2018 checkers became the executive director at the Pain
Family Committee counsel and brought his vast experience Committee planning to leave and develop a district plan for the pain feeling neighborhood. The pain pain and committee counsel has furthered the commitment resourcing supporting the pain feeling neighborhood from Jack fires. Leadership with the board of directors. We as taxpayers has dedicated his time to partner fund and develop projects with the community and environmental Justice, Economic Development. Transportation access air-quality monitoring food, insecurity, housing, justice, historic preservation and public art. He navigated the unforeseen covid pandemic with his staff and the board of directors to bring resources
to the community. Whereas Jack buyers has invest this invested significantly to foster and deepen relationships with other district councils, countless organizations, city and county staff and elected officials to collaborate on initiatives benefiting the community. Jack has created a durable, holistic plant and far-reaching district plan for pain feeling in the coming decades now, therefore, be it resolved this impasse. City Council recognizes pain Feeling Committee council's executive director Jack Myers, commitment and service in the east side of Saint Paul community and proclaiming Sunday MARCH 29th 2026. Has checked by your stay in the city of Saint Paul. If y'all would like to join the committee for a very fun, exciting retirement celebration I honor of jet fighters. It'll be this upcoming Sunday MARCH 29th
04:00pm to 06:00pm et Grocery and Deli and 7.19, p Saint Paul. And I want to give a huge shout out to the board of directors, the friends, the family members and everybody involved who made this happen for Jack so that I'm gonna pass to make over to check. Thank you, Council PRESIDENT, thank you. Council vice PRESIDENT. Thank you. Councilmembers. I'm a little busy Thank all of I didn't know that. I didn't know that anybody knew. people And this is a great honor. And I'm really very appreciative as I know all of, you know, because you work in community to that. Nobody does this alone. And so I definitely share this with our board of director board of directors at
actually several boards of directors over the last number of years. Particularly our council chair. Rebecca Nelson. And before that state representative Ascena Hollins. I don't think I've had an honor like this since Rebecca name to potato after Yeah. Acouple of years does not compare no sour cream. And thus the a more serious note. Was asked to say a few words as most or many of you, anybody who knows me knows that. That's not a talent. I have. But I will that you get to the hook when you need to. And I will try to keep a brief. But I think it's important to bring up a couple of questions that we've used in community. I forgot to mention that prom but Are invaluable. We bring questions up and community and the questions that everybody
can do and should do encourage you to do it often. Think about this present moment. How old you are now and that 20 to that. So and think about how old you will be 20 years from now. When you are that age when your loved ones are that age? What do you need the city to be so that your lives are whole and complete? It's hard to do that. If you're thinking just about today or tomorrow. So think about that 20 years from now. What will be worse if nothing ever changes. Everything stays the same. What will be? What will you MISS Its last tides of time. And what is it you're going to hang on to and take with you 20 years into those next 20 years. I don't I have a hunch that no one sitting in this room today will be in this room 20 years from now. We
will all have moved on. I want to appeal all of you the council. All of our elected officials, the community all of our volunteers t think about one thing that's really not spoken on about enough. It's in the city's comprehensive plan. Every single map. And that plan has a gold line on it. It's called the area of concentrated poverty. That line shouldn't be on those That line is there. As a reminder, it's an appropriate reminder that there's people who are struggling, that there's people who don't they're not born with advantage. They don't easily gain advantage, but they certainly deserve every advantage they can get. And the work of all of us should be routed in erasing line of poverty so that it
does not become a lot a red line that stays with the city and states around the neck from the city. So I encourage you everything you do think about. Yourself 20 years old or think about your loved one's think about your community members. I am retiring from paid work. I'm planning to slow down just yet. Maybe a little bit. But in 20 years from now, I hope that I'm one of those old guys who was in the park plan. Check this with other people. Those are spaces. There's a lot spaces like that in Philadelphia is almost none of that. And Saint Paul just great places to go and be active. There's nowhere really just hang out with community. Must you're doing it inside. Think about that line of concentrated poverty stay in
touch. Not going anywhere. I'd love to. all of you more often and talk more often. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Jack. Again, we will MISS You and thank you for your words of wisdom. I invite all of the counselors to join us for a photo before I guess have to head out to come on up and flow to your photo. I can. We have to you a r. uk here. motion for Yang for approval. There any discussion of that motion? Johnson and then I think some scum. like I want to fires back up. if had like basically give your formal not done with
Yeah. It's we're talking from the mic and also turning or are saying words with my back So yeah, it's okay. You're fine. Do truly, I would consider one of my trusted. Just the committee members as well as you know. Being a part of the council and also being elected leader. You get an opportunity to meet some really incredible people along the way and folks that you can be yourself around, folks that will call human-like ai like this. I don't like don't care if you're councilmember not think to you like a person and that you lead. Very much and that way when you mentioned just being, you know, and the park and playing chess, I could definitely see you that because that's your personality. You know, you
will just take someone upon. And everyday activity having every conversation with an every person and I just really appreciate it. Being able to work with you. I'm really glad that I was able to get back from maternity leave just in time to be able to send your off because I think if I had overturned, you've been governor really sad and probably found you just to be able to celebrate you because I think you just that type of a person and you've always been warming, always welcoming to me. And so I just really want to say thank you for your service and thank you for your important. He said work specifically advocacy your boys and most importantly, your leadership when it comes to just ensuring that everyday people can do this for 2. So I really appreciated and enjoyed
working with yu. With so much. Attack. I mean, if you started at the city around the same time, I ws a fresh ally to the council PRESIDENT And a member. Our first one on one. Number, the former council PRESIDENT Brenneman. And I walked away from that like wow, how did he convince someone like that to be an executive director of District Council? And what you've demonstrated year over year over is the thing that is struggling. You into this work is your hearts and your passion for community and the east side and pain feeling in - particular deserved someone that wasn't just going to need the Barbet exceed the hopes that our community had for what the District Council could look like and how it serves its residents. And in every big fights and every awful moments that we've had
in the even thinking back to during the pandemic, we for phone banking businesses together for a business assistance. Youth and their transit fight. Jack buyers, environmental justice. Jeff Byers. Housing fight, Shaq fires. So you've got your name and your fingerprints. And not just like the physical infrastructure of the things that you see in your neighborhood. But about that and on the people that you have been so passionately diligently and tenaciously serving on the east side. So we are incredibly worthy and thank you for bringing your heart of this work. And yah, exceeding all the expectations of hope that we had for what you might what you might do and what you might accomplish at the pain Feeling. District Council. I'm so sad to see you. Go and you and I will be I think having a coffee and checkers states
Thank you come. Any other discussion. The motion. Thank you, council PRESIDENT I just also wanted to thank I I know the critical role that art should councils in our executive directors of our district councils play in our community and just really appreciate your service and also want to congratulate you on your retirement. And I hope to see you relaxing room, the neighborhood. A fix. And just. All right. I will. I will agree with everything that my colleagues have said, Jack, and I think of you, the word that comes to mind as my people would say is just a mench. You're a good, good guy. And I also want to thank you has come for Johnson said when became the latest council member to represent Rhode Island, know you've seen
succession of us with redistricting. You were kind enough to welcome me to you're on the neighborhood to help me get my bearings and I'll be forever grateful for that. And I hope that when you go home, you to take a chance to look at the footage that millions of viewers saw today because you'll see all the people who are standing behind you, a beautiful representation of the neighborhood of your work of the people who love and care about you. And I think that that's your legacy as much as anything else. So congratulations. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. And with that, I think was put to a vote. All in favor sy Aye. I post 7 in favor. None oppose. The resolution is adopted. Item 16 is resolution. 26 Dash 4, 1, to adopting the
findings of fact conclusions of law recommendations submitted by the administrative law judge with exceptions concerning the tobacco products shop license help by Wayfair Tobacco Marketplace Incorporated doing business as Wayfair Tobacco for the premises located at 16 62 Wayfair Avenue North imposing the recommended presumptive Matrix penalty and the costs of the tested case hearing before the administrative law judge. This is what we call the business. A hard pivot. Welcome. Very astute counts of Council. PRESIDENT Maker members of the City Council. My name is Monica shape or an assistant city attorney for the city. And I'm here representing the Department of Safety and inspections about this matter. So the purpose of today's agenda item is for this council to consider the hearing record that took place
at the beginning of DECEMBER. There are n new facts or arguments that are going to be presented today that were not considered b the administrative law. Judge. Licensee is able to allege error on the part of the alj in this application in the application of the law or the interpretation of the facts, the cannot present new but the city and the licensee MAY not present new arguments today. The license. He can also contest the recommended action that the city Council will take. So this is about why their tobacco, which is located at 16 62 White there Avenue north. It is owned by an on Barbaro. We he has a license, tobacco products, shop license as part of having a tobacco product you the state requires that there be regular inspections, annual inspections where underage buyers who is contracted with the Department of Safety
inspections. That means the person is between the ages of 18 20 and you have to be 21 to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products here. That person goes into the store and attempts to buy a tobacco product. The tobacco licensee must or their clerks, whoever it must ask for identification and confirmed that that person is over the age of 21, you know, to purchase them. And in APRIL 20, 25 what their tobacco did sell. And under an under-age buyer, a tobacco product did not ask for person's license. All of our dsi youth that come. They do not pretend to be anything other than who they and they do not withhold any information of they are. This was the second time that an
under-age fire was able to buy a tobacco product from this business within 2 years there for the city attorney's office well, the Department of Safety inspections recommended the imposition of the Matrix penalty here, which is $1000. The city attorney's office issued a notice of violation to the business owner, MR. Biden rally wrecked and instructed him on the options to proceed. He selected to choose an administrative law hearing and that means that he challenged the facts and the court and we went and had a whole hearing. The entered 19 exhibits and 3 witnesses. All 3 witnesses were from the Department of Safety inspections and ultimately the alj represented or determined that the city had met its burden. And so the alj found that the recommended penalty was appropriate that a violation has happened. In addition to that, the city is
requesting or in the notice of violation the department, the city attorney's office notifies the license holder that the city MAY choose to impose the fees associated with that hearing on the licensee. And here the department has requested that the city council impose them. Under the same poll, legislative code section 3.10, point '03 Subdivision k. The imposition of the licensing fee. Hearing fees are excuse The administrative law hearing fees. Thank you. Are appropriate to impose when the violation involves sale of a cigarette to a minor. Or if the position claim or defense of the licensee was frivolous, arbitrary or capricious made in bad faith or made for the purpose of delay or harassment. The department, believe that that has happened here. The facts down by the judge illustrate that the violation was sale of cigarettes to a minor. After the evidence, the memo that
you have attached to this resolution and explains the alj found that the licensees testimony was self-serving and not corroborated and was not credible. And it was logically inconsistent. He did not provide any arguments or evidence. Just excuse me. No evidence to support his arguments. His claim and all of the evidence admitted directly contradicted his claims. So for that reason, the department concludes that under either one of these justifications, the imposition of these fees as appropriate. So the department respectfully request that the council imposed the Matrix Penalty of $1000 and the licensing or excuse the hearing fees in this matter. Grange, thank you. In the upon us here on
us. I didn't see him. He will get in a moment. Ok, any questions before we potentially hear from me? Account. Doesn't look like it. All right. If you are the pollen in this case is now your time to come up and testify. You'll 5 minutes. If you are the Helen in this case. Now is your time. And last time. Thanks so much. Cheaper. I would love to misinformation. Thank you, council PRESIDENT. I appreciate the presentation. I didn't get a chance to review all the documents and my colleagues here at all that I take these cases very seriously. Just have have heard so much about how tobacco I do target or use. And this is why whenever we do have these cases before as it can seriously, because I believe that it's incumbent upon our license hlders to follow through with with our code to
make sure that they don't violate it. And also take very seriously have integrity in 7 your committees and protecting use as well as with this being the scond violation in 2 years. I I do support request from our staff. So with that, I'm approval. So the motion come as PRESIDENT And his to support the recommendations of the city attorney's office. On this matter. Any discussion, the motion. Seeing none all in favor say I all 7 in favor and then oppose. The resolution is adopted. Thank you so much. Trouble. Item. 17 is ordinance. 26 Dash, 17 administrative ordinance establishing the minimum qualifications for the vacancy for the position of fire chief. Pursuant to the provisions of sections, 12012.1 of the city charter. This brings us to the
ordinance section of our agenda. All of our ordinances have 3 hearings. We first hear them with a staff report the very first time the next week we have a public hearing to receive public comment on the ordinance. And then sometimes we take a couple weeks to make amendments. Sometimes we go straight to the last step, which is final adoption. So if you see something before us for final adoption that has already had at least 2 hearings in front of the council is now before us. For that point, you'll also see today we also have the first reading of a couple of items and public hearings of a couple of items. We take them out of order for some reason. So this item is before us for final adoption. But I believe it's calm and there is a moment. Here's thank you. Council. PRESIDENT Information have aversion to in front of them. It's also entered and let us are.
So I would move it for Jen which would require us to reopen that. The public hearing on this item, I believe because there are a couple of substantive changes over them. Very briefly before I do. I just want to thank the union local 21, the mayor's office, our hr team that we've had lot of folks have looked at this to just make sure that we're not making any changes that would a drizzly, in fact, the process. But when we had our staff presentation on this last week, I think there were a number of us. What? It concerned about the move to not permitting a substitute for the education requirements requiring a bachelor's? I think that there likely many qualified candidates who do have a bachelor's, something that I'm deeply committed to is ensuring that we are not need the same, posing a higher degree requirement when it is possible too show similar competencies and leadership
qualities through experience. - I think that it is there sme rare instances where specialist degrees are absolutely essential. But in many instances there other ways to show that you are qualified for a job and after consulting with folks in the department and folks at the city, I think that there is a lot of support for the idea that this MAY be one of those cases. So we added some of the chain struck the closet on no substitution for education, allowing for additional qualifying experience to be a possible substitute on your for your basis. That needs to you experience that shows increasing leadership, responsibility, commendable duties, at cetera. Couple of other small tweaks here right at the bottom. Just really wanting to get at some of the things that makes our fire department unique and uniquely challenging and wanting to make sure that that's reflected in the candidates that we're considering
certainly did leadership and budgeting strategic planning and argued that governmental coronation be preferred experience working in an apartment that operates a high-volume ems system is something that is preferred. And then obviously we have a very strong in our city and it's a critical that the leader of the apartment had experience working in that unit is environment experience with labor relations and collective for getting this. So we that that is that was in there. But it's sort of tweak the wording to make it make it clear that that is something that we really value in this role. Was taking questions, but that is the vision that I would Right? Thanks, Coleman, really appreciate your hard work and attention to detail on this. I strongly support this amendment particular. Appreciate that. That the union was able to weigh in on this. Appreciate you reaching out to them. And
I think that's operating high-volume, ems system in particular, something that is really important in our department and couldn't agree more. That experience is oten just as relevant has specific credentials. So thank you for that. So the motion is to adapt to this amendment and then reopen the public hearing this really over for a week before we could take a final vote. Any further discussion of the motion? Seeing none all in favor say Aye. Posts. 7 in favor. None oppose. The amendment is approved. And the public hearings reopened. And this really over for pilots. And will public hearings continue to APRIL first 2026? For final adoption item. Number 18 ordinance. 26 stashing teen amending section one. 93.0 4, the Legislative
code to temporarily extend the prediction notice period and section one. 93.0, 0, 4, from 30 days to 60 days. So that the permission of the sponsor I want to introduce version 3, which is in Legistar. This is an amendment keeps the balance of the prediction. Notice to 60 days but exempts the public housing agencies owned and managed properties from ordinance. And I just I want to start by meeting the values that are behind this amendment because they think especially this time of heightened political rhetoric. I think it's very easy to sort of. Todd take all or nothing approach to sort of. To to kind of assume intent. And i think it's really important to be very clear about the values that motivate things so I want to be very clear that the motivating factor here for me
is care for those who are most vulnerable in our community particularly those who have been impacted by Operation Metro Surge. And you know that those are the same values that are motivating the entire 60 day prediction. Notice adm. I think when a trusted partner like the public housing agency that is unique, both in how it operates, also in the number of vulnerable people in our community that they serve. 4200 units owned and managed by the pha by far the largest affordable housing provider in our community. When they rach out and expressed concern. I think it's important to hear them out to listen. And I really appreciate that. All my colleagues took time to do that. Last week we had a really robust conversation. Also want to recognize that I think all of Peach and leadership staff, maybe not all, but a lot are here with
us right now. Taking time to be here because this is important. So thank you for being here. And after a discussion last week, I took away 2 main points that are motivating me to bring this amendment. First of all, the fact that tenants and ph Aon to manage housing well, not be helped by this ordinance because they have a unique protection that other tenants in the city don't have. Their rents. Are income adjusted. So I know that the purpose of this extension is because we're trying to help people who've been impacted Operation Metro Surge, folks who haven't been able to work haven't been able to leave their homes and their for having had income to pay rent and need more time to either go back to work or to access the emergency rent assistance that we've made
available. But in the case of public housing tenants, they actually have a unique protection when it comes to rent because if they are experiencing hardship, they they don't have to pay rent at all. Their rent goes down to $0 so they don't need. 60 days, 30 days, any time because they are not a risk eviction because their payment of rent, the rent become 0. If they're in that situation. So that is unique protection that they have. The other tenants do not. And I think that's important to know because we've heard of a lot of other providers who asked for exemptions to this. And and that's just not true o other providers. Their rent stays the same regardless of their income. And so they are in vulnerable position. I think the second thing I heard that really influential on me is that the pub public housing tenants could be hurt by this
ordinance because this is likely to lead to cuts in federal funding and specifically federal funding for capital improvements to the units. And if you've toured any of the public housing units like I have, you know that they are in need of repair and that when the public housing agency does repair, they do a really good job but we're not talking about luxury repairs. We're talking about a check systems we're talking about coming. Talking about the basics that I think. And as I said earlier at the training, I think affordable housing should not be low quality housing. It should be quality to be safe to be dignified. Should be beautiful housing. That's what this money is going to. And so I find it very ironic that if we are responding to the horrors that were inflicted on us by the federal government with this legislation that we would be also letting the federal government off the
hook. For a penny that should be going to our public housing agency and what the impact of this to be that they get excuse to not give dollars to our public housing agency to our most vulnerable residents who need that the most. So this amendment seeks to avoid that harm to our public housing tenants. I think it's also important to note that this is consistent with how we've treated the public housing agency in other city policies. So, for example, we exempted the public housing agency from our rent, stabilization ordinance because once again, we recognize that a one size fits all approach doesn't work there because the public housing agency operates so differently from any other a provider of housing. And finally, I just want to say very clearly, I think I saw language in some of the e-mails we received and I
appreciate the input we got. I think I saw some sort of people over profits, messaging that was being used. This is 100% about people. It's not a profits because the public housing agency doesn't make profit every dime that they make goes right back into the people who are living in public housing. So that is what is motivating me in 100%. And then finally, I talk to some folks. Really appreciate that. Some folks who reached out in Section 8 or section 42 housing. Section, 42 housing in particular and said, you know, my runs aren't income adjusted. So don't include me in this that not all Section 8 section. 42 housing is treated the same that was really helpful conversation with the constituent who reached out. And I just want to be clear that this exemption does not
include Section 8 or section 42, so they would still be covered by the 60 day. This is just housing that is owned and managed by the public housing agency, which is again, rent is adjusted according to income. So I'll stop there. Thanks for hearing me for at that. Thinking that has gone into this again. I want to thank the pblic husing agency staff were here in who responded to a lot of our questions over the last week. And I would welcome discussion on the motion. Thank you. Council I appreciate being values. I have been pretty full with this council my time as counsel as adamant supporter of tenant protections and one of the concerns that I had growing going into 2024. And beyond has been that we have had ordinances that have been in place to really support renters. And there
have been exemptions that have been made by by this body, to the resolution ordinance. In addition to the to the protection ordinance that passed, we know we had to make a lot of of. And it's and I think also just overall sessions to in in order to make sure that that pass this to me seems like effort that is also a form of to the protections that I truly would love to see across the city. And I know that we are talking about this amendment and I'm not gonna be able to support this amendment today. I think I also want to make sure that we're correct seeing their correcting the record because when we talk about income base and adjusting the rant, there are still individuals that are housed within Saint Paul Public Housing agency who are evicted due to the inability to pay and nonpayment of rent.
So I think if that was true, meaning if you had a financial hardship and the amount of your rent was just wiped out completely because your income was nonexistent. I think that the numbers actions that took place including actions that took place just fighting. You 25 evictions filed and 62%. Of those evictions being $1000. I think we really have to talk about the bigger issue, which is that we can choose to exempt the largest landlord in this heat on the principles and the values in which I think you saw a look the company outlined the cost analysis of that, though, when we're talking about potential loss of $00,000 and federal funding when. The cost to the
individual evicted. Goes well beyond $100,000. And when we think about 30 days or 60 days, 50 days. We want to be able to allow individuals to not have to face an eviction for $50 to not have to face an eviction for $100 to not have to face eviction period for any amount of money do their due inability to pay. And so, you know, my that was really a line and keeping individuals house. And I think that we have alignment and that end the partners of the Saint. Paul Howes agencies aso want to, you know, just thank folks for coming out as well and really make effort to talk to all of us. I read every email that came through. From leadership from. Community members as well. But I once again and I share the sliced
last week. It is counterproductive in countering and contradictory to has a ton of protections ordinance and then to exempt the largest landlord in the city from that ordinance. That is not values aligned with me and not to mention that of the 4200 units of husing. You are talking about not just uits and housing and fixing repairing buildings. You're talking about people. And i think, you know, not to reiterate. I don't think I think you're right. But the people for profit isn't necessarily probably the correct characterization. But of the conversation. It has to be people period. And the reality is we have to evictions. That happened in our city. I have a zip 5, 5, 1, 0, 6, that I with my colleagues all the time has a
large amount of evictions. And often it's due to an ability to pay this exemption. That started with the 3 days removed from 14 to 30 days because we recognize in the system right now you cannot get through the county rental assistance program you can for the city's rental assistance program. You often can't get access to resources in a short period of time and the pain. And if you're connected or not to a caseworker, your timeline is extended. And so whether you are a resident in the same public housing agency units or not, you should be able to explore your options before your permanently unable to find housing again. And when individuals are looking at, it's really hard to find options, including here in the city of Saint Paul. Once you have an eviction filed period and I think as long as that
remains true, it's hard to say this individual gets 30 days. Notice tis individual does We're posing the option. And so I just you know, my values really a line in that piece is someone who comes from a family of renters someone who understands that oftentimes evictions happen because of inability to pay. And that's actually what we're trying to do here. And so, you know, it's not necessarily notice companies and did not start just about federal funding and it can't end there. And so my vote tday will be really because it starts with protecting residents and residents are going to care about federal funding if they can't afford to be their home to benefit from it. And so that's just something that for me is really important today. And one of the reasons why I
won't be able to support that, I'm happy to support the exemption. And I think for again, from my colleagues to bringing for bringing this forward its an important conversation, you cannot pss ordinance on to protections and then began to exempt individuals. Once you do that, you open the door to future exemptions to go for it. We've seen rent stabilization. We saw that with the repeal protections as a tenant protections ordinance leader, all of of the ordinance that would be amended to expe included $0.6. And I just simply can't, you know, my don't allow me to vote for that today. But thank Thanks Johnson, other discussion See opens and thank for symptoms. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT. Just peachy here. So I do want to say thank you all for being here. I have learned a
tremendous amount and Israeli to the status now of just even pick up unpaid rent that you all are experiencing. And it gives me I'm a snippet of also the experience that your tenants are going to Russell. You all really incredible work. So you want to commend you for that. And I'll I'll be frank, if I were you, I would be interesting position pushing for and that the exception to because that is your will. Role is to advocate for what works best Regency. And so again, I really a part you all and it took a lot of work to put together data for us. I will see that for me personally as a as a customer that people here cull what accounts for Johnson has sure that people here it won't be supporting the exemption. And I do want to say that I don't know how the votes will land for today,
but what I'm very interested in is a conversation with the same puppy ha of all our emergency rental assistance. We as a council invested more dollars into and that to me, this is a really critical moment for us to be having conversations with stakeholders about how we as a body can be supporting their work, knowing that they are most impoverished residents and we don't want them know their residents to there tends to get infected. I know they are not in the business of wanting to get their tenants evicted either. I believe that you all are chilly in the sport because you care and want to provide housing for the people that you serve. And so I have a call. I have a few thoughts and remind about what that sort of support would look like and how we can
possibly even change of guidelines, the future for our emergency, them rent assistance program to better serve 10 and that are currently living in public housing. But I also believe I and I also acknowledge that that would be a larger conversation that we would have to have as a body with each other during our housing Redevelopment Authority board's tool. Thanks. Vice PRESIDENT Some Israeli and his camp. Thank you so much, council PRESIDENT. Thank you so much. Chair Johnson and also vice PRESIDENT. Again, for your comment. I also share a lot of those approach in terms of often, as I really want to say,
appreciate and Ph leadership here. I learned so much. I really appreciate being able to make an informed decision. I appreciate the follow-up, particularly with the request information learning about the agency learning about the most recent roster the history of rent unpaid and also some of the vixens. So just uplift that know my values lie and this being a people first approach. And when I think about the people who are impacted and the people who actually live inside of our public housing these are people who are on very fixed incomes, deep believe low incomes. Some of these people are solely dependent on Social Security. Medical, Medicaid also on disability assistance.
And when I think about just all the negative impacts that we've seen from the federal government regarding that, the freezes and also major cuts. I'm also thinking of its does not institutional impact like individuals are also experiencing that. And Isee this extension for the eviction as a catalyst. And we've said this before, but I see it as acallous for tenants and landlords to secure more resources and to increase access to our rental assistance that we had made really bold stride with adding more funding to our emergency rental assistance. We have seen tons of mutual aid efforts across the metro area. I know Frogtown Neighborhood Association just launched their rental assistance
program. And I see this as opportunity for us to really protect our most vulnerable. And when I think about just our most vulnerable now we are agencies, but making sure protecting our most vulnerable residents and some of the qualifications, particularly with this program. For some of the qualifications for people, even live inside a public housing requires for them to demonstrate economic hardship and many of them are going through life changes challenges and have been going through transitions. So I do see this vote like I mentioned as a callous to prioritize a matching those resources to the landlords to ensure that they can be made whole. So I would not be supporting this amendment and just be supporting opting the version as us. Thanks, Leigh. This
can't. I'm Well for the pass. A really appreciate thoughtfulness of this conversation for me and also not inclined to support this Amendment. Homelands tenant hotline has seen a 94% increase in inquiries about financial aid from Saint Paul households since JANUARY. 1st. And statewide eviction filings for below last year's trends. However, comparing to a three-year baseline statewide filings or 10% over the baseline. As of just last week, Saint Paul Dickson, filings or one percent over last year's trends. And as of this last week, only 1.1% above. But comparing to the previous three-year baseline of eviction filings were 16% above the baseline. And it is incredibly likely that without mutual aid, this number would be a lot higher. We also are seeing that the patient is
filing eviction notices. And as last Friday, 2%, of the filings there were 45 fiction filings as of last Friday, 62% of the filings allege less than to the pha and have eviction paintings. So I share and not going to great. The values of why. I think that data set is incredibly important, but also I think illustrates why exemptions to this policy is really important as we think about protecting renters regardless of providing their housing. Thanks, Ken. Any further discussion, the motion. Seeing The motion is for the amendment and it will take a roll call. Vote. Councilmember Johnson. No. Know. Spurs and Lakers. I. 2 in favor 5 opposed those being council members. Johnson
and Ken Rui Coleman. The amendment fails. And now we will consider ordinance as a whole which have a force for final adoption looking to and to see if there any comments. I would like to make a motion to prove make comments will be. We. I think a lot of us, it's current service spoken to the context of why we're we're moving this policy forward. But Operation Metro surge to not just terrorize our. In the migrant. Neighbors at lead seized on entire communities. Families locked themselves inside their homes. Children school workers stopped going to jobs. They needed to keep a roof over their head. People lean on neighbors and mutual aid networks just to survive. That is the resiliency of a community that has always had to protect itself. We are witnessing with this administration is just the
most brazen manifestation of a long political tradition of using migrant scapegoats to justify increasing militarisation. Families and businesses are still fear how to recover. They're still standing in the rubble of what the federal government damage to mutual aid can only go so far. We're looking at a multi-year recovery and looking at a looming eviction crisis that will arrive if we do not act now. Our 10 and legal aid organizations and housing advocates have been eating this for years. Saint Paul's housing conditions were already fragile bfore operation that research. The search did not create that fragility. It weaponized it. 14 days was never enough. And 30 days is not enough. Now it's not enough time to find legal help. It's not enough time to navigate bureaucracy
or an application process. It's not enough time to pay down balance that accumulated while family was in crisis? Well, a worker was detained while a parent was too afraid to leave their home. Time is one of the few tools this council controls directly with this policy. And today we will use it for the betterment of families. This temporary extension is the floor of water residents deserve from us. The voices of our housing advocates for providers are tenant. Organizers have been clear. What is coming will be worse than what we've already seen. I'm grateful to my colleagues for your support and for continuing to stand up to our residents when it counts and continue to stand up with our residents when it counts. I'd also like to extend my deep gratitude for home line for their advocacy and most importantly, providing us with real-time
data on this ordinance. Thank you. MISS Set motion for approval. Is there discussion motion? Thank you, council PRESIDENT. I just want to share and I'll be brief to and I will reiterate some of the things that I shared prior. I'll just take opportunity to chair that during the public hearing of this item. We heard a lot of requests for treatment disgruntled assistance and this body did act alongside the mayor bring almost 3.8 million this year in 2 emergency rental assistance. And that is not inclusive of the 900,000 ripping toward staffing. But that's with 2.5 million. That's going to go straight to residents. And I want to be really clear. I'm just kind of
the motivation behind that is also to ensure that folks are not having to get to that eviction filing. And so with this extension, I don't think this extension, you know, alone, just operates in south. But just the Lees, you know, you're getting maybe 60 days to figure it out without the emergency rental assistance without a targeted emergency rental assistance programs in multiple places. Without that funding, it really a scandal. And so for individual landlords and for folks that are that came from all of the different affordable housing developers who made the time to come down to speak about why there is a need for emergency rental assistance. I want folks to know at least from the city side that we're working internally as quickly as we can to ensure that by
APRIL first, APRIL, 2nd, the opening for the emergency rental assistance is returning back to the city of Saint Paul. And I hope that residents are working to, you know, especially right now, right? People for says just around the corner. And if you are a resident watching and listening to this conversation and you realize that potentially in APRIL first, this might genuinely you where you're looking to get emergency rental assistance and in need of that, this is the earliest indication that website is up to date monitoring as well as being subscribe to the newsletter. But also begin to monitor the city of Saint Paul's Emergency rental assistance website because people first and second is the goal for reopening. It's open for 2 days because of how important is it because of how quickly
the city wants to move. And so the application will be open. The materials that you need are there on the Web site, prepare for it. And if you have any questions, any, I think that comes through. Want you to know about the Saint. Paul Stp Au are key at Saint Paul dot Gov. Stp au l Dot g o v. Also want want you to know about 651-266-6671. That's the phone number for questions that the phone number for inquiries. And that's the e-mail contact to ensure that you see that notification and that you get it because in reality, we received over 600 applications from this open first time. And that was within that first that first week. And so when we think about the demand we think about the need, is there and so is the financial assistance. And so I just want folks to know how to access that. And I wanted to take
opportunity to share that that we also why I'm supportive of this because if you missed that, today's going to be 30 days again, you're able to apply and those things are really important and that's by ordinances like this. And that's why exemptions like this temporarily provide an opportunity for folks who MAY be missed the first time to be picked up again the second time. Ad that happens all the time, not just what government programs but nonprofit programs and pretty much every other program. As the assistance piece that requires individuals to apply. So thank you. Thank you. Johnson, other discussion. The motion really think as have some closing remarks just to deliver as well. Just want to say this action is about dignity is about granting more time. Is also about recognizing that people are not problems
be moved, but neighbors who deserves ability today we choose to give breathing room. 60 days is not just a number. It is time for a parent to find support instead of panic. Time for a senior to stay true to instead of displace and it's time for housing providers intends to come together, acess rental assistance, and find solutions that keep people house. We know eviction does not solve a crisis deepens. It. I disrupts families and the stables communities and it creates greater costs for our city to for our city in the long run. So we're doing what leadership requires. We are stepping in early. We are making sace for assistance. We're also creating space for partnership with our housing providers. And we are saying clearly that insane, Paul, we believe housing is a
foundational foundational to public safety to economic stability, into human dignity. Thank you, MISS Other discussion of the motion. All right, seeing none. I would echo many of my colleagues. I would first, my huge thank you to colleagues who worked on this brought this forward, especially come him. I want to acknowledge all the folks who reached out to us. We heard a lot about this topic, folks who were excited about it. People who are concerned about it and I want to recognize that for me, this decision really comes down to again, the harm that has already been caused to so many people in our community and doing everything we can to avoid further harm. And it to me, it's unconscionable that after someone would have gone through what they have gone through during Operation Metro Surge, that they would then be compounding disaster in pain for their family through eviction. So I agree with my
colleagues have said about breathing room. I also just want to note and not that's about this. We've heard from a lot people in the affordable housing community in particular concerned about to me. This 60 days is not a period of time to prevent rent from being paid. It's a period of time to give the time for rent to be paid. And I know that's what we're all sitting around this table. But I think it's really important point and both from our own Rent Assistance Fund from the states which we hope will come down the pike. Please. And from the counties. And I also want to know to know I sent an e-mail to colleagues about this, but I reached out to Ramsey County's emergency rent assistance, folks, because we did hear some testimony from providers of affordable housing who said you can't get Ramsey County assistance until
you have an eviction in hand. That is actually not You can have a formal notice of nonpayment of rent such as requiring a ton of protections ordinance. And with that, that is considered proof of imminent eviction. So I want think that's important for affordable housing community to know. I think it's important tenants to know that you can go to the county for help. In fact, I have a note my to do list to make sure email manager of that program as soon as we pass this today so that they stand ready because we want to make sure all hands on deck to help with this rent so with that, I think emotional tables for approval. There's no further discussion. All in favor say Aye. 7 in favor opposed. The women says about that. And
take a motion from as Coleman to suspend the rules to consider ordinance. Were 26 Dash 19 adding chapter to the Administrative Code to institute training reporting in programming related to the city's relationship. Civil immigration laws and enforcement practices under administrative code chapter. 44? All in favor of suspending the rules to do that. Please say Aye. 7 in favor opposed the rules are suspended and this is the ordinance that j just read. We will have staff report because it's our first reading welcome, MISTER Greenfield actually policy upsetting. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT Members of the city council. I just wanted to start by offering a few thank yous to specific councilmembers. The first Councilmember Coleman for or leadership and clarity purpose
on getting this draft together. I really appreciate the commitment throughout the process to, you know, work with different directors, different departments to get to a pace to put this language together. And I also want to show a special thank you to Councilmember Bowie for the Public Safety Committee today. I didn't get a chance thank you in person, but I thought that the public Safety Committee, although a coincidence that it was scheduled for today really offer to lessons that I think are really important right off the right off the bat. The first is that it shows based on the scheduling of the speakers and the topics that were presented on today, the strength of the City Council's committee process to hear specific subjects and hear
about the impacts of the federal immigration enforcement activity in our city. And then the second is just the need kind of that really resonated coming out of those presentations was the need for strong organizational support in response to the crisis that was imposed upon us. And so I think that that special acknowledgement should be for my behalf because it really help clarify and set the table for this conversation today. It's been about 6months since I not 6 months, 6 weeks since I've given my last staff report on the last the 3 legislative ordinances that were brought forward related to immigration enforcement the words I sat there. The you know, things going through my head. Are not enough. What is needed is the words before you in the ordinance. And that's what we're here today to discuss, says the culmination of many weeks of work to get to a
place where we're discussing essentially 3 concepts training reporting and information sharing and to and accountability related to the separation ordinance and civil immigration enforcement in the city. So just, you know, kind of jumping into the interest and the purpose behind. 26 19, I think the fundamental purpose behind this ordinance is to learn about the activities of the learn from and about the federal immigration activity in Saint Paul observed during the surge and sure that the guidance and resources offered to city employees remained durable and best reflect city values found in the separation ordinance. One thing we heard time and time again and putting this together is that the separation ordinance has
existed across different mayoral depart Marilyn Ministrations presidential administrations. And so, too, should the guidance implementation of that separation ordinance be just as durable. The second the 3rd formalizing best practices and public safety rsponse to immigration enforcement activity, including a multi department coordination approach, on-scene response and safety establishing policy mechanisms to prepare the city for future immigration enforcement activity. We know both here and across the hall that there are somewhere between 40500 ice agents still located within the city. So I would argue that this actually applies to current immigration enforcement activity that we might find within our city and then finally to create formalized communication and information cannels related to immigration enforcement activity, 2 per policy
outcomes and community relationships. You know, I think things items we heard time and time again. Questions concerns feedback was what how we move forward. What is the information that we're gathering and how as elected officials can be relayed that information that we're getting from our city employees are city officials are department directors back to the people that with the new prison. So skip the definitions as they're not really directly related to super important to the to the crux of the ordinance. But I think it's really important to kind of create a level set and provide. Some clear exemptions as to what ordinance 26, 19 is not chapter. The proposed chapter, 44 is not intended to restrict interfere limit the civil immigration authority of the federal government exist
within our own administrative code. So it only applies to the conduct of and performance of duties within our own city by our own city employees. It does not restrict or interfere with the execution of court orders or judicial warrants and or the enforcement of criminal law does not limit the rights of any person or entity under state or federal law. The latter column on the right I think are very important to emphasize the that does not regulate restrict limit modify repeal or change anything about the permitted actions under the separation ordinance. If you review Chapter 44 the administrative code, you'll see that there's some there's a general prohibition on inquiring about immigration status general restriction on using law enforcement resources solely for the purpose of enforcing federal
immigration laws. This is then they There are specific exemptions to that general charge. And this is saying we don't touch The 5th bullet point restricting living regulating or modifying the chief of police or fire chiefs or mayors discretion to set departmental operational priorities o staff. So what this is not is dictating when and where police can and can't go. Instead that is still left. Yes, the chief of police and finally creating a private right of action for violation of this ordinance, which is also found in the separation its. So to begin, I wouldn't start with the first of 3, you know, policy goals behind ordinance. 26 19. The first of which is General Service employee training. So the first section, 1 directs that the General Service employees will
receive annual training and information on the city's implementation policies, regulations, protocols, guidance, or decisions to Chapter. 44 also known as the separation ordinance and then the content of the training will include the fertile follow following formalize guidance, which is intended to reflect current guidance that exist within the city attorney's office to city employees talks about a variety of different circumstances and examples of where city employees have fell. Further guidance would be needed or formalized in order to account for enforcement activity in We're on city property at city workplace for the city. The second prong of the general service employee training in
specialized training for supervisors. So the supervisors the city attorney's office will be responsible for providing the training specified for journal General Service employees. But then they Supervisors will also receive real specific training offered by the city attorney's office and the content of which is specified here. The next piece of the training elements for ordinance 26, 19 is a public safety training requirement. So section 44, chapter. 44 a provides that the Saint Paul Police Department will create a training policy on the requirements of Chapter. 44 mandatory for all current and future employees. So the idea is to incorporate this into, you know, future classes it as they come aboard. Training shall include guidance and
best practices for store personnel responding to calls for service involving similar gration enforcement and finally training showing crude operational guidance and cooperation between police and the Department Fire during emergency incidents like Selby and Western. We're still be civil immigration enforcement activity made us. The next phase of the ordinance. 26, 19 is what I would call the reporting mechanisms mechanisms that allow information to be shared between employees and departments and, you know, employees and policymakers. So goal of 26, 19 is to establish those formal mechanisms of communication. And the first of which is an employee interaction
reporting system. So the city will implement a policy that establish an is an internal reporting mechanism for employees to promptly document any interaction involving civil immigration enforcement activity that occurs on a city property at a city work site on a city lot or in a city vehicle. And then documentation requirements are specified along with certain exemptions and qualifications for how the data is used. This interaction reporting does not apply to public safety employees. So this would just apply to employees and the General Service. The next component of the reporting piece is establishing a public reporting mechanism for potential violations of the separation ordinance. So this will establish a mechanism by which members of the general public and some report alleged violations of the separation
ordinance. It must be made available on the city's website. In addition to a non Internet reporting system and specifies what individual shall be allowed to report under the mechanism and except where required by law where there are some specific statutory guidelines peace officers. The reporting mechanism shall not conditions. Mission of report. Neither the provision of personally identifying information or the disclosure of immigration status. Wrinkle on the information sharing piece that I think I touched on earlier, but I want to emphasize that as stand-alone section in ordinance, 26 19. Is the sharing of summary data to be reported to the City Council, the mayor's office regarding city resources better expanded the recall and in relation to civil immigration enforcement. Many public safety employee
and will include any public information on the call for calls for service. So this weekly cadences intend to be reflective of the intensity of immigration enforcement activity in the city. So if no known calls are then the report is not required. But I think, you know, every council member here, at least most to my with knowledge receiving of the weak reports from the police. This just kills out a specific related to civil immigration enforcement. So that's that's a policy that were fertilizing. But recognizing that it will only really serve its value. Should that continue to The other piece of that is, you know, in in the spirit of Selby in Western, you know, for any public safety incident, necessitating a call for
service. We're establishing a, you know, a essentially a hotline system, a mechanism by which the chief of police or their designee were report certain specified information to the city Council. President. The council representative for the incident occurred and the mayor's office as soon as practicable recognizing that the first call on scene response probably shouldn't be too the city council, but eventually, you know, in the immediate after, Know, incident review or processing of the scene, elected officials should be notified so that they can serve their purpose of relaying that information. Back to the people for whom they serve. So the information to be reported includes known information about the incident. The resources are reasons for personnel seen any other
identified law enforcement If those council members are the mayor have questions they can, you know, get connected to them. Or any other relevant public safety information useful for constituent services, public distribution of game. Corey, so reestablishing more formalized lines of control. A lot information to allow for, you know, that representation on behalf of office of that use. Finally, the 3rd piece ordinance, 26, 19 is what I would call the transparency piece. So chapter establishes clear rporting mechanisms to improve transparency, accountability and ensure residents awareness of the operational impacts of immigration enforcement in the
city is reporting mechanisms reinforce the city's commitment to the values and practices underlying the separation ordinance. But really, I should just put it to the child. These are the reporting timelines because one major question as part of the deliberation of this draft was when would reports come back? Why are they coming back at the time that they are and what is the purpose behind reporting that is being requested in this draft? And so I think this timeline provides a very clear both representation of how it should move through time, but also the interests that are upheld throughout each of the report. So the weekly report on public safety resources if needed is to communicate to the community to allow for community trust, better policy making and resilience. Should
immigration enforcement activity escalate continue reemerge. Whatever description we want to place on that. Same would apply to council notification or information about a public safety incident that led to civil immigration enforcement so as soon as practical or within 48 hours, those 2 top boxes are designed to be kind of the more immediate information flow. Then as get into a yearly summarize report and report of public safety training outcomes, this is designed to build resilience, accountability and ensure that best practices are being reflected in the actual operation of how. law enforcement protects their business if civil immigration activity exist within our city. And then the 3rd phase of timelines are the kind of the yearly reports. So we would have a report come
back to council on General Service employee training yearly begin by JANUARY. First of each year, beginning on JANUARY. First, 2027. And then there are existing report requirement related to discipline under the separation ordinance. So there's a proposed report that is intending to sequence with that report. That's to APRIL of that year. And so the values on the right there, too, strengthening existing reporting requirement while sequencing and building that community trust necessary that separation is implemented to the city's in a very briefly over what each report covers because they kind of are dissatisfied that. The first is a training report on General service training supervisors on the part chapter. 44 and the separation ordinance. The second is a public safety training outcomes report
decide. You want to provide a little bit more detail because it's not just the report and recommendations on the training. That is required by chapter but it also provides a descriptive elements that I think that on the Well, the point there to say that part of the report should include an analysis about any observed operational challenge is to public safety from calls service during civil immigration enforcement. Because this report is put into the public about what the policy is. This also allows that feedback and democratic process. To say if there are observed challenges that people should hear about them from the police's perspective allowed for that ground up information. And if there is, you know, further direction that given or if there is input needs to be relayed.
That is the way that we do. So it's not attempting to be prescriptive about the conduct certain department, the rather learn from their experiences and adjust accordingly. And the report Department for Public Safety training expires on DECEMBER 31st. 2029, that's the only report that a sunset in the draft and the draft 26 Dash 90. The reported reports that would come back to council again, like I said, the sequence report with the existing report required under the separation ordinance regarding implementation of the public reports of the separation ordinance. So the text below here is what's currently in our administrative code. Then we have a public safety summer airport, which I haven't described itself provided very
brief overview. This is just a report by Gio JULY one of each year from Saint Paul police in cooperation with simple firework, clickable on an annual report related to calls for service for civil immigration enforcement. It's summarize available public data provide any related costs to the city and the calls for service and that specifies certain parameters for the summary report, including rationale for the resources known information whether police reports were filed, medical assistance was required. And then whether any arrests. Finally a portion of that Section Section. 44 ao 7 that establishes the summary report also has a descriptive report requires the police to provide their protocol for how calls for service are identified route prioritized for calls for service related to civil immigration enforcement. And the police
MAY request assistance from the actual dispatched entity in the city. The Ramsey County Emergency Communications and preparing the report. So that serves as the final organizational overview of ordinance. 26 19. But I just wanted to get some final thoughts of what I think ordinance is intending to do. The first is ensuring consistent understanding and implementation separation. That something that father and myself for time and time again? And as a council priority, the second is strengthening institutional knowledge. That compliance remains durable across ministrations staffing changes. Tis point was really emphasized to yesterday in a conversation I had with
interim chief talking about the opportunity cost that came from Operation Metro Search where so much of our time effort, energy and rsources were devoted to responding to citizen concerns. Providing seen response that the cost to everything else was so great. And that's something that really can't be measured. So the purpose behind durability in ordinance is to lessen that opportunity cost to insure that expectations are universal aisd. So that should this enforcement activity every escalate. There's already the knowledge. There's already protocols. There's already of procedures in place based on learning experience and that hopefully lessen the indirect cost to city operations. If
that resiliency is built and throughout all of our employees and supervisors and public safety issues. Finally, ordinance acknowledges the impact on city operations, but also in city employees to its residents. Again, speaking back to the Public Safety Committee, I think the message from the chief of staff of Ramsey County was really resonate here, talking about the supports you know, this staff were provided the Ramsey County and how training and resources and organization and durable support really makes a difference for the provision of services fr the for the residents to trust that the city will continue to move smoothly, right, operate smoothly. And in times of great stress great crisis, that reassurance is essential. And finally, it provides clear, unambiguous, legal exceptions and clarifications to address concerns about
regulating or limiting federal immigration activity or authority creating additional employee liability are changing and limiting the chief of police special operations control. And this I think is essential to, again, emphasize that this process process for putting this draft together was deliberative. Many steps along the way. And we heard the feedback and incorporate the feedback as much as possible to and that last bullet point as possible. So that an open for any questions on specifics or general are. Anything Thank you very much for the comprehensive summary questions from MR. Green Health. It does look like it. Thank you so much. Any comments from space-x? I do have a you just out of Curiosity will going to say
this is very comprehensive. I appreciate the fast track. Let's let's framework that we had in terms of approaching isn't making sure you get a chance to hear it. And I also agree worked out perfectly with today's public safety meeting. We heard from County Attorney John Choi and ags office and Ramsey County, particularly around the need for more training reporting. Crystal clear directives from the summit body. So I see this as very timely. I do have a question, particularly around because can't remember it. Might've is might be. 44 point 0, 5, where it's just every part are actually know that that line it was the training. It's a pro to cause of the training for employees for world looks like. I'm just out of curiosity. I understand,
you know, that the council has it's making us informed decision and has been involved with now in the mayor's office and cao. But I'm just curious, particularly since this is requiring. Employees to go through training. If the hr director was informed because I really see this as like a more of training and like employee boarding. To wear most or staff already receive this training. But thinking about future, you know, future employment and land and employees be hired on into our city how was the chart apartment looking at creating a standardized training say no different departments and different employees have different
interactions with the public rate. So I'm just curious if there's been any celebration from Nature Department about this required training. Because everybody, I think that's a great question. We did circulate the draft to do different department directors and I believe hr was included in that. What I would say also is that the separation ordinance itself requires that information be gven to employees as part of orientation. And as part of the regular ongoing training. So I'm not sure exactly how that's operational is necessarily. But the spirit of these exist and these additional parameters based on Operation Metro Surge are kind of in that spirit where we
wanted to have the cadence of, you know, initial here's what the city code says. Here's what the expectations are. but then that additional layer of, you know, real challenges that are city employees faced during that crisis. The guests have a follow-up comment. So it's I really appreciate vice-chair home and leadership on this and one of the things I appreciate is that, well, important to say on the record that not expanding or creating a new method or new requirement for employees for just codifying and making sure that this is ordinance. I do think that is really important just as we are you know, passing this
ordinance to ensure and strengthen public trust. Right. And I want to things that we've been hearing over the months the public lands to have more transparency around like what are we doing? And, you know, although this, you know, particularly isn't actually changing any of our requirements for just like putting a standard and making it clear in our ordinance of the best practices that we have. So I really appreciate the work that went into this, not awfulness, particularly around how our staff is leading on this training require training and making sure it's codified so for future fture, you know, immigration, Inforcement are any issues a crisis that we have it rooted in ordinance. Thank you. Thanks. Just just a reminder to him, the public
watching because of first reading at basically the purpose of today is to get a summary and explanation of what's being proposed. Next week, we will have a public hearing. So really welcome folks to submit testimony to come next week to let us know what you think about this. And again, will take a final vote week after that or are there amendments potentially later on? So that's just beginning of the conversation. Actually. The midpoint a long process to But the beginning of the public conversation. So any other comments before we let this lay over to next week, is common in the vice PRESIDENT. become PRESIDENT, I want to say a huge thank you t our chief policy officer at Timken Field. But for the presentation and for al the work that has come to presidents that has gone up to this point has been a tremendous lift and both MR.
Greenfield and Nelson have done just incredible amount of work on this. We're looking at the time lost sight of the work that had gone into this effort and I was a 4 page timeline which I think starts to capture. How many different stages in cnversations and points of feedback in conversations with everybody at this table have gone into this Really can't thank you enough that everybody who has worked on getting us to this first introduction recognizing that still have ways to go and tell take a final vote on this. Just want to say thank you, MR. Greenfield referenced to the many departments have been involved and providing feedback and having conversations. It's been really something that has taken up a lot of time and consideration really thoughtful Karen intention from people across the city, not least of other residents
shown up to talk to us aout how they are experiencing or separation They're experiencing our city's response in a moment of crisis and who have and even foundational the interaction. This item. For 20 years. As we all know, some pause had a strong separation ordinance in place. It was one of the very first enacted in the country and his serve. Just a clear statement overseas inclusivity arm brace for immigrant community and our deep commitment public safety. But as we or separation ordinance has been tested over the last 5 months, like never before. The horrors of the federal government's occupation of our city have been well documented in this room. 3 public hearings and community conversations. Suffice it to say here that Chandra 20's, 26 cannot possibly have imagined when the separation ordinance was passed by this body in APRIL 2004. As you've been living under responding to the occupation that we've also
been learning, we learned about where separation ordinance in our city practices are strong and we have opportunities to make needed improvements. To that end, this draft ordinance, we believe response to key concerns that we've heard from constituents and months of public testimonies and conversations. First increases council oversight and most importantly, public oversight of our city's conduct and resorts expenditure when federal immigration enforcement officers are in town. Time and time again, we have heard that the public wants to know how city or employees are being trained under separation ordinance, how it's impacting teir actions and what is taking place on ice is operating in our city. I kind of tying a series of reporting requirements where Frein, the tools that the public needs to determine if the city is
carrying out the commitments articulated under separation ordinance. It knd of eye strain requirements for city employees. Both General Service employees and public safety employees ensure that regardless o who is in city Hall, every sngle person who works for the city will understand how or separation ordinance works, what their rights and obligations are when ice or other federal immigration enforcement officers are present and how other city ordinances, including a ban on ice aging public property. All right. Asked fans come into play. Addition, it requires additional department specific policies for the Saint Paul Police Department ensuring that every single sworn Officer City has received comprehensive training and best practices for responding to calls for service involving
immigration enforcement. 3. It develops reporting mechanisms for the public to immediately notify the city of any suspected violations of the separation ordinance, providing a pathway for accountability if the city fails live up to its obligations under the separation ordinance. Today's introduction polls months of work, as I mentioned, conversations with residents community partners, months of meetings with the city attorney's office in the mayor's office. And I'm going to get to with the departments will be impacted if this ordinance is enacted. As part of this ongoing work. We've been diligent about ensuring that this proposed ordinance is an appropriate exercise of the already. And a strong mayor system. It's essential that each branch of government understand its role. As a body as MR. Greenfield mentioned we do not direct the day-to-day
operations of city departments and this ordinance does not attempt to do that. However, said essential boundaries for the conduct of our departments based on the values and resources of the city. Okay example of that, of course, being the separation ordinance itself. And then as a body, we have an obligation to ensure that that ordinance that our ordinances are enacted. That's our training reporting. Come in. Our council has made regular use for authority to enact a new reporting requirements, including just earlier this month. We are quite additional reporting by the police Department on the festival's and event security credit under resolution 2067. Also something that we've seen other councils and certainly your systems that we have seen that comes as another storm. Air systems do, including quite recently, as we've heard
in Minneapolis, we're similar training and reporting requirements related to their separation ordinance for recently passed to and signed by the mayor. No single piece of legislation can possibly capture everything we've learned from operation which are sergeant impact on community. However, it is essential that we take steps to codify what we have learned from months of occupation because we know now with certainty that this could happen again. If and when it does, every resident of this city deserves, I thoughtful and collaborative action to make sure that Saint Paul is better prepared. I believe that after is an important step to ensuring that we are and I look forward to the public conversation take place on this and weeks to come. Thank you. MISS Coleman. It's a mixed blessing. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT, want to him for his presentation earlier, very thorough and it's very important for the public to get that same information as well. I want to
recognize you, Councilmember Coleman and also your legislative, a journey for the the immense amount of work that you did too. Get us to this point where we have this very polished. Language in front of and really cute, doing the heavy duty of having tough but important conversations staff with representatives from the mayor's office. I'm sure many departments colleagues us all to get this done really on behalf of the council, knowing that the says a priority that the council cares deeply about. So thank you both for your very hard work on that. I very grateful and I'm just excited about this ordinance because there's many reasons why I'm And if you feel the same way as new where we wish that in ordinance like this was already in place at the
beginning of operation, that research and frankly, even before that, because people in our charities for getting detained prior to that just in very differently compared to what we have seen to me. The ordinance here is about transparency. That's also a ball sitting apart our staff for success because whenever there are gray areas, that's where mistakes can be made and people get hurt. And the consequence of not having ordinance like this. Well, we have seen that and the operations that Rose Avenue is a prime example of that. Also, ice raids that took place mean even the very first one over in court 5 and many of you have experienced even where rates in your words well. So it's it's clear that in ordinance like this is needed
and it is important. Also. That's how what I think a lot we as consumers rceive every single day we opened up our e-mails. The thinking of the day we get e-mail from the Saint Paul Police Department and it really details high profile cases that happened the day before. And to me its really similar to what we mourning in terms of the types of interactions on that that going counters with ice happening in our city here that we want reporting on. Well, there's a parallel they are home when I think about that. And Tim mentioned that briefly in his presentation. And so to me, it's this what we are asking for. Its not worth that cannot be done its work. That is actually really important for us to have. So that has elected officials. You can be informed about the state of her city, especially
during a time of crisis. And to me, this also sets it's a model for what we should be, which we should be asking for for future crises. And I know none of us want a future crisis at all to happen in our city. But we need to start thinking in the future and I'm really grateful to be a part of a body here that cares deeply about making sure that the are are working hard and pow need to get the information we need to be able to make informed decisions. And most importantly, look out for the residents that we represent and serve every single day. Tank you. Vice PRESIDENT. Any further discussion and well, also, al lot of comments, probably public hearing adoption business. Certain really over till next week for public
hearing. Item, 19 ordinance, 26 Dash, 20 leading chapter. 54 of the legislative code pertaining to rental application believe we have a staff report from. Since this is a first reading, get a quick step. Well, come up. Good afternoon. PRESIDENT Make or vice PRESIDENT Using an council members. My name is Lynn Ferkenhoff. You got that right represent the Department Safety and inspections here this afternoon. I currently administer the Rent Stabilization ordinance, but I will adding tenant protections to that later on when it becomes effective. So I'm here today. Just introduce the first reading of the updated of deleting of chapter 54 excuse me of another item right after this. The leading chapter, 54
of the legislative code pertaining rental application fees and I understand from David told deputy that illusion of this chapter is basically a housekeeping item that's long overdue. We have a fire certificate of occupancy program that absorb the Skull of Chapter. 54 about 15 to 20 years ago. So again, this is I don't have a lot of other information and just here today because he says he cannot make it. But that's basically the nuts and bolts of it. So it's our questions open to them. And if can answer them up, bring them back for deputy director. Hold them. Thank you so much. So just make sure flks listening at home and see if see the thing that alarms that were deleting a chapter about rental application fees. As you mentioned, this is
house keeping cleaning up because we now have protections ordinances, robust that covers all of the essence of this particular chapter is covered. Yes, we don't have contradictory, Great questions for his part. Looks like it. Thank you so much. The same ordinance really over to next week for public hearing. There are none since late overt APRIL. First 2026 for second reading public hearing item 20 is ordinance stash ordinance 26 dash. 21 updating chapter 13 in the administrative code pertaining to the Department of Safety and Inspection. Welcome back. Thank Again and for the first reading of a change which will update chapter 13 of the administrative code pertaining to the Department of Safety and inspections. This also is a technical change which will authorize the Department of
Safety and inspections to manage and enforce. The recently passed tenant protection laws. Priest report also questions for us cnn, thanks much perfect. Thank you ship. Thanks for missions. Sure, get to this point. The ordinance is laid over APRIL first 2026 per second reading public hearing. And this just before the next item, this brings us to the public hearing section of our agenda, sir, for the next few items, if you're here for a public hearing, when your item is red, we ask that you come to the front stand in between the 2 microphone to don't need to adjust them. They'll pick you up just fine. You'll have 2 minutes to testify. We Start with your name and where you're coming from. And when you're done, please sign in on either the to sign in sheets. Item 21 is resolution public hearing. 26 dash 68 amending capital fund budgets
to provide additional funding for the Hidden Heights Library renovation project. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from Just has public hearing and approve all in favor. Say Aye. Post 7 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item. 22 is resolution public hearing. 26 Dash 70 approving applications of white squirrel bar for 2 so level variances in order to present amplified sound for a Saturday patio Music series in a Sunday patio music series every Saturday and Sunday MAY 30th SEPTEMBER. 27. 2026 at 9, 7, 4, 7, Street West await squirrel bar patio. It's always a nice time of year when you start seeing patio up here on the agenda. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? He noticed a commotion from his to close public hearing and all in favor say Aye. I helped
7 in favor. None oppose. The resolution is adopted item Twenty-three's resolution public hearing. 26 72 2 men, the parks and recreation 2026. Grant Aid fund for a $500,000 donation from Comeau Friends, a nonprofit to promote support, preserve and enhance the Como Zoo. And Marjorie McNeely Conservatory this is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on the Seeing none question for MISS Kim to close the public hearing and all in favor say Aye. 7 on favor opposed. The resolution is adopted item. 24 is resolution public hearing. 26 dash 73 authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to accept a grant in the amount of 490,000 from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and to amend the 2026 Office of Financial Empowerment Budget in the
amount 390,000. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here speak on this item? Seeing none. Take motion for Mis Johnson to close public hearing and approve all in favor. Say Aye. All opposed. 7 in favor opposed. The resolution is adopted. Legislative hearing agenda items. 25 to 31 or before you for your consideration. Welcome this morning. PRESIDENT, I'm not aware of anything here to We will then hold a hearing on all of the legislative hearing items. If you are here for item. 25 to 31 now. Is your public hearing? Please come on up. Seeing none. I'll take a motion from Vice PRESIDENT Yang to approve the balance of legislative hearing consent agenda. All of legislative hearing officers conditions and recommendations. Never say Aye. 7 in favor opposed a legislative hearing. Consent agenda is adopted as amended. That brings us to the end of
our agenda, which means it's one of best parts attendant, which is news from the words. Is there any news from table as PRESIDENT? If council PRESIDENT, East Side Freedom Library is hosting a community conversation on the impact of immigration raids on housing. It's an honest conversation on the devastating impact immigration raids have had on housing renters facing eviction and neighbors living in fear. This is on Monday MARCH. At 04:30pm, again at the East Safety. Mike Perry, thank you. Vice PRESIDENT Is kept. so next Thursday, APRIL second, because yeah, next Thursday, APRIL 2nd McDonough hasn't Egg Hunt will be Carnival games face painting. Tons of activities. It is free and welcome to all ages. So please come to McDonough rec center 15. 44 Timberlake Road come compete in a little and counting. Exciting. This week.
2 items. Good news in the Wine. So at 4 o'clock, there will be a pop-up engagement event at Ryan part. It's a small part, smaller my hurricane fraught how we're going to have some of our parks leaders actually engaging the neighborhood about every development r r a s 3 of Redevelopment for that park. Also the second good news tomorrow as well from 5.30, to 6.30, bitumen. The Maze Elementary School is going to rename their lobby to Tony Stone lobby where Tni Stone, who's actually recognize at Dunning wreck, who was first African-American woman baseball player and from Rondo her house actually was where now between maze? Is. So
they're going to be renaming the lobby after her. Also doing the ribbon cutting for the new center curriculum that it's going to take place at that elementary school. Thank you. MISS Is common. Is the cbs still down? Still down coming weeks going to expected to be. I mean, I don't think there's all right. Any other is from the words seeing none. Thanks for a great meeting is always so is the