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? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? City Council Budget Committee to Order Roll Call, please customer bully. Consular Coleman can't come summer. Kim. Consular Council present maker here, Vice

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chair, chair Johnson here, 5 president to absent customer blue is expected shortly. And consular Cam is excuse. I really thank We have 2 presentations today both time. But the topics tat >> have come up in one way shape or form. But also we're tough parody based conversations amongst the council. So this is a part of that continuation. We'll start off with TV car show and getting update with the Department of Public Breaks. So I will welcome up, Director Barbara, welcome. It's

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something that happens at the city Council. Like when you're here, you get through your care first budget update. now we just keep asking to come back. So I think that's kind doing a job. But welcome director Barber. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I never mind having to present it. So it's good share information so you can learn about all the good work doing in public works with that. I'm really here just to introduce experts on this particular subject. So for those of you who know him and those are getting to know me. I'm a big believer in having transportation options. That

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is how you actually have people get around through communities through neighborhoods and one of those very actions that we have here in the city is question. And it's been very successful program and I'm going turn it over now to Aaron Fraser. He's going to tell you all about it. >> Wonderful. Thank you so much. And welcome. I miss Kaiser for >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair Council members. >> So then just jump rght in. >> And you see

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We can use a computer one time before in life. So thanks so much. problem. Okay. And this is sort of the road map of where we're headed today. I'm going to be joined by Amanda LaGrange from our car a little bit later. But going to give you an overview of the East, network and then talked or some performance center Bility and then really going to that budget conversation. They we're all interested in here. First, the and that work is really made up of 2 components. The spot charging Indy car share both

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are programs in partnership with the city of Minneapolis. But for the purpose of today, we're really going to talk about the Saint Paul operations for both. And EV and EV Sound exactly the same. >> We're going to talk about when we talk about car sare, we're gonna make our best efforts to safety car share and the same for the spot. Charging. also included some slide markers that highlight which part of the program discussing. But if there any questions, please stop and we can make clarifications. So in Saint Paul, we have 170 charging plugs 50 that are

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used for public use and 50% that 50% for public use and 50% that are used exclusively for the EV car share program. These are owned, operated and maintained by the city of Saint Paul and the E car share Fleet has 179 vehicles. 467 of those are free float and 12 of them based what we call the loop vehicles, which started at a specific spot and have to come back to that same spot. These are leased by the city of Saint Paul using C max funds and city match from both cities and the vehicles are charged at the spot Chargers

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in both cities. And just to clarify this slide, I told you that I was going to one thing. I did the opposite. I'm 170 charging plugs are in the city of Saint Paul. All 179 vehicles operate through both cities, the free float. So they're able to start in one city and in another leave the city come back just to be clear. And then okay. At the current service area in Saint Paul is roughly 18 square miles, which is about a 3rd of our city footprint this year. We are expanding under the east side. That's the dark

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blue line that you see in. This will add about 3 square miles bringing the coverage just under 40% 38%. You'll notice that all of our chargers, the blue green all but one of the orange dots fall within the E Carter Service area. This is intentional. Te lines so that both services car share and EV charging. Have a minimum density per square mile to provide the most reliable service and funding alive in alignment has really been the driving factor in the spot charging expansion, which has

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not been possible without also expanding 80 Carter. Oftentimes the funding works totally in alignment with one another. So I'm here today talk about the EV spot Network and what the program needs to continue bringing services to the residents of Saint Paul. But I want to make sure that we all understand that the 80's network is really made up of 2 distinct parts 80's by charging EV car share. It's public investment that makes affordable car share and public charging possible. And car share that supports EV

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charging in areas where EV adoption might be lowered. And if there's one thing that you take away from today, it's that the city of Saint Paul owns and operates the largest public charging network in the country and that charging network supports the largest and only all share electric are all electric car share program. These programs have been extraordinarily successful at attracting outside attention and investment. We built the system with capital grants, but those grants can support operations. Infrastructure was almost entirely grant funded from the Department of Energy

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and the Mpca Xcel Energy completed the overwhelming majority of the make ready as local cost share on those dot projects. The EV cars. Sure vehicles are also grant funded through the congestion, mitigation and ar quality or the scene. MAC funds from council's regional solicitation mats for those grants was provided by City of Saint Paul parking funds. The city of Minneapolis and reallocated Eric P funds which we expected this year before the expiration. What this slide doesn't show is the challenge of a drastically different funding landscape than what we saw at the start

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of these programs. Not only have federal funds spent almost entirely eliminated for programs like this, but regional solicitation requirements hve shifted and private philanthropy has weakened significantly for programs like this. The budget ask today is for operating funds to keep delivering public benefit and uphold the vision we had when we applied for these 5 months. The eastbound at this year, he's already had a 750 unique users in Saint Paul. That does not include the each EV car. Sure

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users as all those vehicles are also charged at Chargers to the system. And that number doesn't account for the users to authenticate uing credit cards which show as anonymous, which makes us live like this, a little lackluster 750 doesn't seem like that. Many. happy to share more about our total charge session data after the fact. If you have questions. The average session count for those 16 already this year. Some people are using chargers all over the city and others use the same location consistently. And it's really those folks in the latter category that get to the real core of the mission

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of the spot Network, which of the east charging program. We assume that those individuals don't have it ready, infrastructure at home and are using the EV charging as their home charging. And demand continues to grow. We're asked regularly all the time when with charging the my neighborhood Orlo little car should be in my neighborhood when mobile things come. And it's important to note that half of the charging sessions, which is what this bar graph is showing at the TV spot, locations come from 80 car.

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Sure users, which is crucial because there are minimum expected usage values, every location that are implemented by Xcel Energy. Not meeting those usage levels can lead to unexpected utility fees, and we can recoup costs from charge sessions at the Chargers by both 80 crusher users and private owners. But we can't recoup penalty fees that are not our results for not minimums. and that's going to tell you a little bit more about the coming to La Grange. Committee Chair Jonathan and committee members. Thanks for

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having me here today. And the new CEO o our current. But in my role a couple months just been so honored to step in. >> Just such a cherished Jen and our community. And this is an incredible program. And as Aaron mentioned, there's been awareness of how innovative this program is, not even just. And within Minnesota by and he received recent news. But I can't fully tell yet of award national word. This program is receiving in early September. And so we look forward being able to celebrate that with all of

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you. >> So this slide shows a lot of data and a lot of numbers. But what I hope you can take away sort of a deep dive into a bunch of numbers is that residents are really driving impact. And they're driving impact in support of the city's climate action and resilience plan. I sort of right in line and this program was designed to address the disproportionate impact of climate change low-income and bipoc communities and the data showing that that's been a great success. So if you numbers to call your attention

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to here across the car sharing program, we have. >> Right now. So for this year over 3,000 users last year, we landed just a little above 4,000 so far this year, about 80,000 trips. >> A significant amount of pollution reduction continued strong la station fire by pack and come neighbors. We continue to see vehicles miles reduced as a result of this work. But this next section that I want to call attention to is firmer annual Aggies are survey every year we reach out to all of our users and ask

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them how are you using this program? What's working? What's not? And this you're able to do that in partnership with the National Science Foundation Grant. And so what learned from this year's survey is it about 62% of our users are using a survey to get to groceries and other household goods 47 1% are commuting to work. 41% getting to important medical appointments. And this next one just sort continues to really ground me and the work that we're doing, that 66% say that car share has allowed

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them to sell or postpone the purchase of a vehicle. And so at a time where Oliver households are trying to manage rising costs, the ability to keep transportation at a low percentage freeze that people to be able to for their own food, their housing, their medical The other piece that I really as I've been listening to folk stream boarding as sort of myth to best for hacks, is that our work and can be perceived as it in conflict with trans that the reality is multi-modal transit uers. So folks may

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public transportation to get to a Navy or get to a car share to then get to where they're going. >> They May buy one way and EV a different way. And so 46% of users have said >> that they're using transit to get to this per share. So that first mile last challenge of transportation is addressed by the service. And of course, it's really easy with these tapes conversations to get last and the data. And so I wanted to bring make sure we brought in one of the voices of our users from last year's user survey, of course, gushed about their love EV car share and how it

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saved the money and that they have been able to avoid purchasing a car. And the other piece that I wanted call attention to, it's actually not yet. I'll be right back. >> Yes, thank And so we talked about performance for both aspects of network, the V Spot Network. And now we're going to talk about financial planning and cost management for both of those programs and how they feed into the larger network. >> So for the spot charging program, we're actively managing costs and have already reduced are controlled expenses. But there are

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structural risks that require stable operating funding, which is what brings us here today. I want to be clear that every excel invoices, mnually reviewed sometimes painstakingly because we've noticed recurring billing issues. Ad we're working closely with excel to correct those issues. But the process is slow and we're hesitant to approve voices before reviewing them leading to a backlog in bills. And so where you see that electricity cos are slightly down this year. We expect that to go up increased use. Even with these efforts. There are costs outside of our control.

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Electricity rates continue to rise, charging equipment occasionally experience a significant damage. And major repairs come up unexpectedly. That's why stable operating funding is important. Nt because costs are being managed, but because we're an important service of the city of Saint Paul and we need to provide consistent services even when costs court. We've experienced maintenance challenges like the copper wire theft issue that struck many city services and that led to a large maintenance cost in 2025. Which you see reflected here and we tried several approaches to maintenance, providing the highest level of service possible. Operating support.

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Allows the program to absorb unavoidable costs. Fluctuations without increasing prices are reducing services, something that is paramount to be the car, sure operations. And Amanda, about that now. So as with many organizations and operations, we have seen rising operations cast it is a shocking number to share here. But insurance is about 23% of her annual expense of operation. >> Because I doubled in 2025. This is a trend that's been seen across Kerr sharing organizations and nationally

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and globally are not unique. And and I mentioned important design of the EV car share program to address climate change impacts on low-income and bipoc communities. One of the ways that that design and shows that is in the creation of an access plan that we've had since the beginning of our EV car share lunch program, just the access plan which folks self identify and act and so that low-income plan and have the allure allure cost of use through that. And annually that expenses. 1.4 million dollars. And so there

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is a significant amount of investment that's happening through this program. great part of having a program like this is that there are in fact, a revenue source is built threat. So we do charge folks, a monthly membership and access plan and category. That's only a dollar a month very affordable. And then folks are paying for their their use even still with those revenue sources covering about 55% of their expense. There is a need for subsidy and as we've sort of heard and learned from different other

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means of transportation having a subsidy of around 45% is still much lower than where things ae for public transportation for roads, etc. One question that I often get when talking about and the need for subsidy is why don't you just raise your prices? not? Ray is that dollar monthly membership fee for access plan. Or for the standard plan higher. And lst year our team took the really hard stuff of doing a very significant price increase to adjust for the fact that insurance costs have doubled.

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What we sow was reduction in use. And so we have to balance making sure that people can get to where they're needing to go on affordable way. Well, also and covering our costs and so through National Science Foundation Grant that I mentioned, we've able we've been able to put together a really robust pricing model to help us understand for the last 50 of those tried to s. I see a question from council president mker. Thanks, Madam Chair. Can you tell it missed it? But what the monthly access, what the cost monthly

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is to the user and also are we. >> Understand that the access plan for low-income residents is sort of. thats retained. Do you have any independent verification to make sure that the folks are taking advantage of that are actually low income individuals? Great question. Thank you. >> And so there is a dollar per month membership fee. That is sort of just set no matter use. And then the rest of the fees to access to users would be based the number of trips that they're taking. What we

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see is the average check for access and members is around $10 per trip pretty far. But that based on time distance as well and that an affordable case. And then I'm so sorry it. >> For getting your second question. Well, just to clarify, about the cost? Not just for access plan, but that cost from then do we have a way ascertaining income? Yes. And so the standard fee and is it $7 per per month? And so a higher amount that there's no >> requirement. We do also student plan as well. That

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university Minnesota McAllister and him students can access. And so flks are being asked and specific questions on our website to sort of help in the verification program. not just a hey. I sat and good to go asking and size of household asking and income and there's vetting a there's a still a self vetting process, but we're not using an external stakeholders to excellent. And as a follow-up, I guess just

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on that. you will see the data that's coming through or the responses that come through. even if you don't have a 3rd party that place, are you still reviewing? The information that is self evident. >> great question. Yes, absolutely. just can't get set. yes, yeah, it is. We have an entire department. This member services team. It's looking for making sure that folks there and, you know, answering is as truthfully as possible. Thank you for the questions. And so just to

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continue to add Aaron's comments around sort of they use of and significant grant to get to and federal funds to get to where we built today. But we're also seeing is a changing landscape in the same way that I'm sure you all you all have been as well. And so where we've been able to previously and federal funding and other sources of funding like foundations and even those foundations have been impacted by the current

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federal administration describing a niche that connected to esg efforts and efforts and from their funding of why there i a significant - need for local and support to step out. So this program can continue. We've been also having conversations like this, as you would imagine, that the city of Minneapolis, the fancy County kind of county and the Met Council and because there is this importance of stabilizing where we are today so that we can continue to to look forward. And so that's what

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the site is sharing. Here is our focus. Ad this year and early next is around stabilizing our operations, making sure that the service continues that it continues to be both affordable and reliable. And balancing the need to close this funding gap. making long term strategic decisions. And so we're grateful to local partners that have confirmed need. And for the service here locally. We're working to improve efficiency. And we also see a lot of opportunities within

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the car sharing and portion of this work. >> And that gives us or to that long-term hope. And and so and so the EV spot charging signage and sure Aaron's happy to go deeper into and there's really great and prevents that could happen around the charging network analytics. Our team has been working and demand response of fleet management and so trying to bring that National Science Foundation grant information into where where neighborhoods that are constantly in need free flow cars and where maybe

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as their less of a need and so making sure that the cars are in the right spot for users is important. We continue to have conversations around and the need for the definition of transit to and food car sharing. This would also open up funding and other sources. We are currently aware 5, one C, 3 nonprofit. We're not tax exempt the state of Minnesota. so organization is paying a significant amount. Asales tax and property tax as a result. And so that would also help and the long-term sustainability of our model.

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And then there's been a really exciting greenhouse gas emission offset program that's been and passed through the Legislature now assertive leading for its first pedator taping where because of the impact that our team and our members are making and the data that we collect, we could receive funding through mend projects. To offset the environmental impact of those programs. And so that also would revenue into the next helping to subsidize those access plans and other work that we're doing. And all of

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this is so that we continue to grow and continue to guard impact that we can move into more neighborhoods in Saint Paul that we can increase the vehicle count. As Aaron mentioned, there's a constant questions on one of my coming. What are you coming to my neighborhood? And there's always and when will there be more cars so they can make sure every morning when I come out, ready to go to work. There's there's one available available to me. And so figuring out what's working of the modeling, continuing to test, learn and improve and grow. >> So what we're really asking

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for here is in this middle column to support the V Spot Network's, we need to support both the EV Car share program and the V Spot Network. And I do want to apologize. The initial ask from public works. There was not an operational request for EV car. Shares of this is different than what you've seen in the past. But as a man there really just recently the financial picture has shifted really dramatically. And as but but there is some ways to sort of reduce some of these costs are shift costs. As of yesterday, the intent to apply for stay competitive. U.S. funds was approved by the grant team

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here at the city Saint Paul. And I'm going to continue being creative in making sure that V spot charging states operating entice capacity. This is a big jump and expenses and I want this committee to know that I'm working on financial analysis of the charging network very regularly, because increase use does mean more revenue, which are already, of course, seeing this year. And Im actively in conversations with Xcel Energy to discuss rate adjustment since we're being charged. Commercial rates right now on spot that work. But given the extreme shifts in the funding land there is a

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small ask here for charging expansion, especially to areas of the city where car ownership is higher closer to the core o the city and where expansion would yield significant results. So the top 2 lines that you see a slight increase in operating expenses for the EV Spot charging Network and maybe a car sure operating support on an annual basis are of the utmost importance here today. Operating budgets for both programs of the V spot work. I really thank you for your attention. And we've saved some time for questions and would love to answer this time. I see our council, vice

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president then go to council president maker. >> Thank you. Chair Jobson. We want to say thank you for that presentation here at time. You all come present to us and learning something new every time a strong proponent of very EV car share program and I just wanted to applaud you all because when it comes to serving your users and just keeping check of trends of you all do a really phenomenal job at that. And recall correctly, there's annual report that comes out by our car in. They also do just a really great job capturing a statistics about the spark off around. So.

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I wanted to ask that followed the about the minimum expected usage. I don't recall this being brought up in the past. And so this is something new that I learned about It seems like I mean, it just seems a bit backwards. It seems something that can bite us into in the futures, especially like where in a in a state pandemic, for example, even Operation Metro surge in Seoul. Is that something that is negotiated at all like can you talk a bit about the purpose of that kind tea fee existing?

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Madam President and counselor Yang, thank you so much for your question. yeah, that that cost came as a pretty significant surprise to the program's well, and it's been something that we've negotiating really heavily for the last couple years. I do think that part of it, part of those minimum cost is in order to sort of find the city in partnership with Xcel Energy has a sort of guaranteed income based on all of them make it that they did provide to the program. But yes, it does mean that charges that are getting used less frequently are costing more per kilowatt hour. And which

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is energy dispensed. And so a big a big strategic plan. Goal of mine is to negotiate a rate that eliminates and or reduce is that and allows us to bring charging rates cost wise back down closer to at-home charging. But it is a really it's a really significant cost to the program. And I am I don't know if any of you have tried negotiate Xel Eergy, but that can be a little bit challenging and takes a long time. So we're in conversations with the PC. We're also working on our franchise fee negotiation. And

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we have we do have some really strong partnerships with Xcel Energy. But this is something that we also may have to adjust some of our services are DC fast Chargers are really expensive to operate. And it is something that we may need to reduce some of like the speed at which charged happens because of these minimum costs a appreciate providing insight into that. And >> all in favor getting that eliminated. just wanted to share that to you all. mean, when I think about the significance of because Cheryl, from me, it's something that that I would

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want to see citywide, especially in areas where know that car ownership and I'm very pleased to see the the expansion is going into east side's. I want to say thank you to offer that we've been in conversations. Many years about that are ready and your commitment speaks volumes in making that happen. I do recognize too that on the map, there are still big chunks of the east side and also north and that are without the the stations. And just wanted to overall they express may interest in making sure we're spending expanding into those areas, too. I'm wondering for the for the $60,000 ask about

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expansions for next year. like what? What does that cover in the lake? What does that mean long-term to for those areas that right now don't have service. I think you for your question. >> that this is a pretty scant ask a $60,000 with some with how they give us to charging stations due to the costs of equipment make ready costs since we no longer have excel as our long-term partner for make ready, which is not an impact of sort of that partnership. But just. >> Their commitment has been

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for the east side expansion and we don't expect there to be more. One thing that I really think it's important to drive home as we talk about expansion for both systems we do really want to make sre that vehicle at the same density that we have in our existing system right at him. And his point about making sure there's a vehicle outside your house when you're ready to go to an appointment or to work or to recreational activities we we want to make sure that as we expand, we are spreading that that density

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too And so the $60,000 and expansion of the car sure network expansion does kind of go hand in hand with our team 3 and potentially see Mike for funds, which would allow us to explain the fleet sort of in tandem. I'm happy to provide more specific details. But yes, this 60,000 is sort of us making an assumption that we're not going to see federal funding supporting electric vehicle infrastructure in a while and to try to help us keep up with some of those expansions. To your point about the north end, we hear a

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lot from Comeau. We hear a lot from other parts of the Greater East Side are not represented in our current expansion. >> Thank you. And I just have one last question, which is I have a request around sharing data to us later on about or if you can email us a follow up on the usage based on the station's just because earlier I mentioned like the interest in having the station's be in areas where low car ownership. And I'm wondering if the data showing us that in those areas there is higher usage.

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Yes, yeah. So this is just quarter one and I will share this and the data that goes along with it. But this is what really drives, you know, as we think about expansion and also making sure that. >> And we're we're engaging with the public around some of these lower use stations and our car staff to make sure that we're seeing usage at the stations. >> Yes, happy Councilor Yang to provide more data and would love to have a conversation about sort of some strategies for how he might increase. Use that level or use the station's. Thank you. >> Council president maker,

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thanks, Madam Chair. I really align with the vice chairs line of questioning. Those are some of the same thoughts I had and I would really like to get more clarity on what specifically the team is doing to talk to both excel and the insurance provider. It seems that if we're the largest public charging network in the country that we shouldn't just be using public dollars to pay as much or more than private individuals would have to pay that we should be using that purchasing power to be driving down costs. That really concerns me about the unused hours be in charge. That concerns me that were being charged to commercial rate and then that we are just that additional public dollars

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would basically just be going into insurance companies next. Also, that's a really important conversation. I'm curious to questions the jump in costs and talked about the changing funding formula. But in the appendix first slide, it looks like maintenance more than tripled from 2024. 2025. And electricity almost doubled from 23 to 24. wondering if that's due to expansion in vehicles are what's are charging stations or what's leading to that. And my second question is. What are the asks and commitments from other

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partners. You mentioned other and these are part of this. The city is actually the only one of the entities that's not the transit entity so I'm curious what some of the transit entities like my counsel Metro transit, the counties are being asked to and are committing to contribute. >> At. President a Kurd. Thank you for your question. >> Yes, so I'm going to talk about this specific slide and really talk about the about charging program and I'm going to let him and they respond to some of the other partner conversations that happened. But before I dive into this, I would love to continue having more conversations about how

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we use our purchasing power at excel to really drive home. Some of the things that we're talking about here. >> It's been a huge, huge conflict for me at some sites I was brought on the way that the structure was set up may be more challenging than we thought when we had predicted usage. So a couple things here. So I think your first question was about maintenance cost almost tripling. So a few things. So we 2024 was our big year for people cuts here. This in part a little bit into

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25, even though legislation went into place. So we saw, you know, like almost $20,000 in just replacing cables, a cable that oftentimes yielded less than $10 in copper cost the city 500 to $600 just to replace. And so that was a huge That legislation made a huge difference for us. Additionally in 2025. Because we had planned for you know, very frequent cable replacement costs. We did go into a service level agreement with Saturday which is are charging manufacturer that allowed them to be more

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responsive and provide us some lower cost hourly sort being under contract when this program was initially set up. It was intended to bring that maintenance inside the city of Saint Paul, which >> seems to be a challenge that I don't I don't personally know how we would make that happen. And so 2025 was a way for us to kind of reset the system, make sure that everything had >> a maintenance check every 6 months and making sure that things are in really good working order. We opted to not do that for 2026. Since we expected that people cuts would go down. We saw that

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trend at the end of 2025. this number is quite a bit lower than we expect based on in was still lays and significant challenges with sort of getting those real costs into our system. So that summer, one happy to provide more information. Patrece city costs from 23 to 24 really are a result of more charges coming online. So we built out. We completed the system in 2024. and we really saw like full network sort of

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coming online. >> And us. >> We also saw a lot We more errors in 2024. 5. If I'm just being like Super Honest, there. There was some pretty erroneous bills that happens and I would be happy to chat more about sort of how we fix that. But it's it's a big sticking point. How much we pay >> Another thing before it passed just about insurance. One of the things that we have considered and we have talked to the city's risk management team about in the past. We haven't had that conversation certainly this year is about

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bringing the insurance underneath sort of a municipal flee insurance. We're told by lots of folks that old, maybe that is a is a way to bring those insurance costs down to date. The risk management folks here at the city like a great respect to them, have said that that's not something that we want to take under. But that would be something that we could pursue further. Whether that be with our own fleets are partnering with another flee. And that is something that we continue to conversations about. council member an acre to finish continue the conversation there.

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Because it we're continuing to pursue sort of creative approaches to insurance. Is mentioned. And we also are taking steps within our own teams process. And so as much as 23% of insurance 23% of annual expense for insurance been an U.S. there. She year-over-year decrease because of some of the efforts that were completed last year. One specific example of that is the addition of analytics camera system analytics camera system. >> That allows us to evaluate risk and hold more accountability with drivers and to make sure that there running red lights are

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speeding air. A lot of other activities that we could about it every time. And so we did see impact and improvement from the insurance. But the reality is this is a significant fleet. we continue broadly have the challenge of climate change on the cost of insurance. As far as your question around other asks, We are in conversations with Minneapolis, Fancy County, Hennepin County. The Met Council in total. Our ask is roughly 1.1 million dollars across those entities. And so and just as we've laid out

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here, it's not a one time gets to make sure that over these next few years we have and the sort of stable subsidy to make sure that the service continues and that. We aren't having to suddenly for those that have relied on or service tonight and to purchase transportation and to be able to get to the places that they're going, that they have a sudden disruption and that. >> Just a clarification is that thank you. Is the 1.1 million total asks, what percentage is the city of Saint Paul Vance to their that? I'm not sure if this is all to be added together or >> rights. And so would be

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roughly about. >> And 30%. >> So not adding these things together. Yes, yeah. Sorry. That's only for the EV car share and operating support. Plan. Is factoring into the one thing. One. This is the muddy waters of bringing the 2 under the umbrella. Some only speaking to the EV car share portion. Which in this case would be in a $300,000. Line item in chain. And then for

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clarification, can you just also share? So the budget ask is like looking at the U.S. if we are, reviewing this? It's often where we see kind of like what the total ask would be. So just putting this into context, the total ask in this case. The fall terrible at the hand. But is that that a total asks of the city of Saint Paul or is it just the TV spot? Turn Mike? Is this all kind of put together? Can you verify what the actual ask us for the city of Saint Paul and what portion it is from a total ask

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that you have in your partner's >> And chair, thank you. I sometimes get lost in the sauce tariffs short of describing this what we're proposing, what we're here today proposing is a about a $440,000 above base request for these 2 programs together from the city of thing. Paul. So that includes a 14% increase in operating costs for the charging ntwork, the operating support for EV car share as well a little bit of expansion bonds and cash or for see my free program. So

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we're asking here today is 440,000 in addition about base of what we had in the past. And then as far as U.S. EV car share since it is like benefiting other folks. Other jurisdictions we see lots of usage Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Ramsey County. That is 1.1 million that our car is pursuing to make sure that their fleet operations are stable. >> Our $300,000 lie not in here. Under that 1.1. Okay. And then just from eyewitnesses. Well, you mentioned a couple things

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about the presentation. One being potentially adjusting the charging speed. Is that taking that into account here? >> This is not taking that into account. This also does not take into account which I have a small note here. The agreement Four-seam $3, which is an expansion of about 40 vehicles into the fleet has already been signed and we have funds committed from Minneapolis and public works will be submitting an application for stay competitiveness funds, which could bring that dollar down. It's hard to make sort of predictions about what might happen there. you know, there

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are lots of levers that we can keep trying to pull on. >> Councilmember Johnson, thank you so much. just want to say every day have a pleasure. So learning about a new service is a new networks. I'm really excited to hear that we are one of the leading not only. >> And a nation. I think about just how other places across the globe like switching land, Amsterdam has. He's like

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electric car networks. I'm really happy that we have that right here at home. But my question is more so around sky, like the internal like financial operations of just how like say PA has. >> you know, I think we were able to cover like how we were able invest and launching in supporting and like our contract in terms of leasing the vehicles like these are city owned like the infrastructure city-owned. But I'm just curious and maybe our chief budget officer going to

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support this answer. But like which isn't. Is there a certain department that is charge of leading this effort what is that? But how does the EV car share shows up within our own internal finances? >> Is this something is the budget asked of like council? Is there a director that is leading this work like how does How is the city's internal operations in partnership? >> Thank you, Madam Chair,

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Councilmember obviously that sure lives within public works. And so this is part of our budgets of the line item like the standard operating expenses in the first one is what's in the as we've been looking at it to date. The other things are So I think this program, been able to ver - dive into the finances and figure out working without exactly what really is the need. And so those are things that we will be building in as we go forward. it is right is a perfect I think that's appreciate I was wondering if

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this was just like a. >> addition are this will be inside of the public works budget. But thank you for answering that question. Madam Chair, So I at this at this point, what's in the public works? Budget is the first line item, is the operating that one that because that is what has been in the budget. Typically year-over-year at this point. So the rest is in >> I really appreciate you

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guys making that time to be here as well. Just to talk about the topic. I don't think we've had official budget presentation on Missouri positions quite some time. So I think it's just a refresher as we get ready to head into the budget folks have questions. Director Barber is should we those 2? skies are insured where with the questions around people are interested in having for the conversations of some of that topics we heard today insurance questions, questions that excel related questions are questions even about the line items, especially because of the increased where with E

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what they hear those 2. >> And thank you, Madam Chair, you can either direct those questions at me are directly to air and make sure that we get you answers especially where to get you answers quickly. As we know, things are moving fast. Wonderful. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> as we transition, the second topic that we have around district councils to see this has been a continued conversation amongst the city, but also here in the city council. We did make that change from 2025. 2026 to have

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cdbg funding removed. And so this presentation really sick of an update on that piece of the funding strains. And also just to hear a little bit from Zoe around how it's been going so welcome. >> Can you guys hear Good morning Johnson Council members. My name is only for And I'm the District Council coordinator and our planning and economic development department. I've been in this role since July 2024. And have been working directly with our district councils in our community engagement agreement. So like Cherry Johnson mentioned, just appreciate the opportunity to

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provide an update overview of the city's work district councils and the main kind of goal of today's presentation is to have a shared understanding how the District Council system is organized roll district display in supporting citywide engagement and diving into those details of how the city financially supports councils. >> city. >> So I structure the presentation today to go over 3 different sections. I'll begin over the of the

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disturbances East then we'll cover some the recent budget actions affecting District Council support, including the changes in the fiscal year, 20 to 6 adopted budget and cover how funding is distributed out to all 7 to district councils and to end if there's time can provide ways that residents neighbors can get involved with a district councils. And of course, fall to to address questions as they come Again for section sharing that shared understanding the District Council system. And so our district councils all

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independent nonprofit organizations that represent Saint Paul, 17 planning districts. They are governed independently, hire their own staff, elect their own volunteer board of directors. And we have our annual community engagement agreements that we provide. So they partner with the city to support neighborhood engagement, planning and identify local community priorities and these agreements. Ryan January one to December 31st. Each year. >> And so our community

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engagement agreements have 4 required responsibilities that we expect. All this treatment to carry First, we seek to shut down to support and gathering community input and planning development and licensing proposals and to communicate that feedback to city staff. so when we're reviewing work plans, it's important that we know how they do this function and whether that's newsletter notices their website, social media post or that they become agenda items. That committee and board committee meetings.

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And so any feedback that cleaners received, considered as part of project application of second we recounts is to share information and Amplify city messaging with presidents to established communication channels. And counsels really do serve you know, existing communication network that department to use to help our outreach Farrow told >> Planners project managers program coordinators and

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outreach specialist who routinely engage of district councils to as for support in our own community engagement efforts examples of that, if there's a street reconstruction project to Park redesign project the climate action, resilience plan and even like our comprehensive plan. We update every 10 years in the planning. it's just good to know that we need to get citywide engagement or and put on projects that we can go to district councils and figure out ways to cement engagement

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opportunities in those communities. And then the 4th having district councils maintain active district plan and say those are intended to be updated every 10 years. And along with planned. But the timing can vary based district Council pass A T and so these recover like the 4, as I mentioned, required areas. But seeing that feed engagement funding can be used activities and programming that respond. And the that faith see in their communities. And wanted be sure for It's so. different

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ways that, you know, PD supports district councils. And so all those past kind core requirements. District councils carry out independently. we do play an important role in administering engagement agreements and supporting district consists the year. >> And since we're time the District Council cordinator suits were generally falling in these 3 areas, which is programming contract administration. I personally manage community engagement agreements and oversee that

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contract renewal process process reimbursements and monitor reporting requirements throughout the year in this past year, you've been doing a lot of work to So he's helped us to is and have a shared understanding of how we manage these agreeing district councils second is providing technical assistance. He District Council's regular. We reach out to me for support and understanding our contract guidance, especially turnover questions that reporting and other administrative pieces. And again, past year, we have

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been working developing and having conversations about. What tols and resources we can to help district councils effectively manage these agreements. Even when this turnover. And then the 3rd area is really just supporting our planning team and committing council's sharing information about our planning process ease and being available Help with improved coordination between city departments, external partners and district councils. Hard at work also is maintaining and building security

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relationships with District Council staff. And they're kind of leadership to for their support, communication and coordination and to understand program challenges as they for just to be a little bit more responsive. What's taking place? Any particularly efficient on to this peace just want to be able provide a good over kind of what this work looks like. >> I didn't see one question

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from council. Thank you. Chairs on set every question. and so we particularly around is there requirements in terms of how >> many he second district Council must have. >> No, there's not a requirement. Selection across the board. We do. Asked that face, you know, just let us know how many or what positions are supported through the funding. So on the back and we have an idea of yeah, primarily one percent staff that this organization or 7 part-time communications

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person or an organizer. Some have co-directors. So that helps us have an idea of what staffing looks like across the >> One last question is there ever a case where there's like there is a vacancy of leadership for staffing for District Council and yes, the address that. >> We just have to know that is a vacancy in kind of have a point person usually therefore actually good to share. don't think there's a single vacancy

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and executive director positions when I started, I believe there was. 2 in a transition. And so what that have looked like was he there were 2 of their board president or an appointed interim director. But at this point, everyone's at least has a staff person which is really Thank you. >> Continue, especially. Thank you. Alright, ocean. >> and so. >> This next section really is meant to focus how the city budget support for district councils and House budget

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budgeted dollars become individual community engagement agreements with the 17th district councils and saw began cover up fiscal year 2026 budget out homes. Provide overview of how today's budget is structured. And briefly review how funding has changed over time can walk again. funding formula and how we distribute funding. see here. And so this is probably where spend a lot of our this table summarizes the budget

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and administrative changes that occurred between the 2025 2026 contract And to better understand some of these budget outcomes, it's helpful to just understand where we were and fiscal year 2025. And I do apologize. It isn't explicitly written on the slide, but the adopted budget allocation for 2025. Was a total of 1 million, 441,211 dollars. And that was consistent o 1 million $96,211 from the General fund and then 345,000 from federal cdbg funds. And so that funding level had

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remained unchanged from 2018 through 2025. At approximately 1.4 million. And so additional contacts for the budget outcomes was during the fiscal year 2025 budget process. The City Council directed the administration and PD 2 evaluate District Council funding in response requests we receive from to develop a recommendation to be considered during the fiscal year 2026 bdget cycle. >> And so this table really outlines where the results of that work of coming up with that recommendation. And so in

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the mayor's proposed budget for 2026, there was a $200,000 ongoing increase to the general fund the city Council then approved an additional. >> 59,660 1000 in ongoing H or a general fund investment. >> And then a one-time 345,000 transfer they parking fund replacing the previous cdbg allocation and sell. >> Again t kind of pass on that point there, I would say that's probably no significant budget action that was

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included in the fiscal year 2026 budget. And I know it was an area of a lot of discussion between district councils and probably that reached your So. >> just kind of the financial makeup and 2025 and before. >> That being general cdbg funds they had previously historically been funded in part by Sunday, $2. And then in the 2025 contract year, there was clarified guidance that impacted our ability to reimburse district councils for certain operating expenses. And so that did cause immediate financial

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strain, administrative challenges. And so that's why we can just make sure to fill. Still take that conversation They are and City Council. >> And so seeing that the removal of the cdbg funding from the 2026 budget allocation. Those community, our community engagement agreements are no lnger subject to those federal cost allocation requirements, including 50% indirect cost invitations. So effectively we our May 6 agreements which are currently under way after a storied ability to fully

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reimburse for activities. We experienced changes within 2025. not the last closing before pausing adition to those budget changes. We did have 2 administrative updates also take place, which was increasing minimum allocation $62,922 to $75,049. And the funding formula was updated to is the most recent death data that we had at the time. The recommendation. >> council president maker, thanks, Madam Can you 2

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questions? One with the one-time transfer of the 345,000 from the parking fund to get rid of the Cdbg. Does that? mean that in 2027 we need to find another source to fill that are under 45 or there will be a gap. That's one question. And then I wondered if you can say, I appreciate you talk a little bit about the effect of shifting off of cbg and we did that in part because having so many concerns from District Council said it was just becoming inordinately bureaucratic and difficult to use the dollars. can you bit more about what that change has meant practically on the

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ground for District Council this year not having to abide by TVG guidelines. How has that changed >> Yeah, I would say to the first question, yes, that would be something that needs to be figured out. this next upcoming budget director Green is here. If we have more questions about that. then secondly, it's probably going to take some time to really understand what. That impact was. I would say if basically was additional barrier to already kinda strained funding environment for District

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Council. So the reason why they submitted request was, >> you know, the minimum funding wasn't enough. They didn't think the data on the formula was representative of the communities they serve today and there had been an increase in a while. And so all of those components are already on the table when we were. Discussing an increase and then as we got clarified guidance on limited uses of funds. It was more that so I can't reimburse for this or have Lysol for that in this budget year. And so that was kind of ongoing. We probably don't have a very evaluation

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of what does that mean? I know at the time it we hired a lot of part-time staff. We might have to cut hours how do they manage that on like month-to-month basis. And so I know when we went into the 2026 year, many folks eager to know that that you know, lifted and now they're going back to how they are already operated with the city. But it didn't take away some of those underlying challenges. And so I would say the broader answer is that's probably something that would be helpful to asked district councils

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specifically. >> Do you feel, you know, little relief from that. And I imagine answer is Can't say definitively. >> Council president. Yes, thanks. Just as a quick follow-up, will you be asking district councils that? happy to hear kind interesting. >> You know, we meet at our. Co-executive director organizing committee meetings. And so how bring items 100 S for discussion or they get like a robust the back. >> can be a little difficult

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to facilitate that. And definitely open to make sure that they know that they can share what that seat back changing. The funding source has looked like so can get back to folks to us. >> I think really helped whole, you know, just as a refresher for increase or the one-time shift. Also stem from it, not been included in the administration's budget lst year, but it's still being at council interest to have funding increase for district councils. So the resources that were placed there

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actually had a deduction for some district councils was not funded at the level in which we had heard initially requested. So the one-time funding was created there to both chain Cdbg funding, but ultimately to also Ed, back to the dollar amount that was originally requested in order to ensure that every district council received it and versus what they had received in the past or at least the minimum the minimum increase from what district councils are receiving in 2025. To this year. So those are changes

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that we made in a one-year time. The stuff that allocation. The one thing I would share to feedback. I think that, you know, to the council president's point, the reason why we need to understand the changes because with the cdbg funding itself, it seems I and some of cbg funding has been we allocated in different places. But as far as like just how we've done that doesn't necessarily to me, has seen to as equitable as ensuring that district councils are receiving funding across the city. So just like where that $245,000 has more intense kind of lead to, you know, just

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question that I polls for our staff to be able to have additional input for an icy deputy director Green locking up. But I think that that's just one place where like if we do start to see some of the federal guidelines for had cdbg dollars change are involved, you know, being updated on that in real time because and or if we get feedback that you know, but it really notice much of a difference between the city dollars and city dollars. I think that also matters and that equation because that line item remain in the budget for 2027 and soul. Just wanting to here to you. Thank

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you. commissioners. >> Good I so noted and I will take that into consideration and make sure that we monitor the reallocation of the cdb cdbg funding from district councils I think i ongoing. All the dollars have not been reallocated yet. various processes. That we would apply to reallocate so I can work with. that's all wrecking our grants department provide some updated information on that. And I just also want to know

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that again, changes that we made last year. Those contracts in process and and implement implementation of a change. You'll hear me say this you continue t this. Those changes usually take at least a year. And sometimes, you know, most often in my experience may take 3 years to see the results of the change. asking for the results our district councils. You know, going through their contracts. Not right now. Once those first year contracts are implemented, they reassess. And then I missed. So he said

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they're those meetings. They will. We will begin to gather that information. And then that initial information that we receive will be adjusted again once they have more practice and get more acclimated to the funding. And again, the 3.45, the one-time funding we provided from the parking fund if that is required as an ongoing source. I just want to add our conversations earlier this year was whether or not that was eligible source weren't eligible, use parking fund. And we've just recently word

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from We think it is. And so it was one time last year because of that. And so that's another consideration. Don't know that directly in in future budgets. But it's something to consider. >> Thank you, Deputy director I'm going to just pretend track we are at about 11. 0, 7, have you through the the next slide? As I do think it will answer some of the questions on the end of just how maybe funding. Things that we're able to support change. So kind of looking ahead at Seems like a

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redundant slide from what you've previously sheriff's office asked for the interest of time for you proceed to the next life. you have anything, there's just 1.7 million us the new fig here. And that's roughly the 259. >> 259,000 increase from 2025. 2026. >> And again, this one can be pretty quick as well. Just mainly trying to provide a overview of what our funding levels for district councils has looked over time. >> Main thing to note in 2013, 2 programs were merge to become the community Engagement Fund which now solely supports district

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councils. And then in 2018, there was a $250,000 ongoing increase that cross that 1.4 million. And then the 2026 Please. 7. And then I know there's you know, this kind of questions and interest what is the funding formula. It is that kind of like a leases by it. >> Basically after the annual budget is adopted, we distribute funding to all district councils using the city's adopted formula and the funding formula only needs to be recalculated when the adopted budget allocation for

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District Council support changes o when upgraded or updated demographic data needs to be incorporated. It's neither of those things change. The District Council allocations remain the same. So have the same impacts from the previous year. And the formula for demographic measures taken in consideration, population poverty an English-speaking residents and employment too, as well as incorporating a minimum funding allocation to enter every district council receives that baseline

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funding. So tat can do the distribution very heavily population. Base and then just for for clarity is the definitions that we use and sources and which we pull the data from. >> And their associated waiting. then to get more into. You know, mechanics of how the funding formula works. >> It's typically Straightforward just takes a lot of numbers in a spreadsheet. And so this is on the slide, but also as a supplemental attached and the work she just entries. How

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budget allocation is applied across those demographic measures and basically. Each measure provides a partial allocation by District Council based on the data for that planning district. Those amounts are combined. If you know, initial allocation is below the minimum. We apply. The minimum haven't adjusted total round out the number and that's how we get to their 17 grant allocations for that year. Just to kind of know, I

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know this has been an area of interest in conversation with district councils and we did at the 2025 recommendation very explicit. There's not much we can do within the formula. Besides raise the minimum. It was also really important to keep whatever recommendation. Within this funding formula that is establishing adopted. But it is from 2005. that's kind of plays into some of the conversation with district councils around doesn't represent some of >> needs we have today. But it is a way to consistently and transparently distribute the funding as we adopted each

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year. Any questions about the formula before we go into last 16. the president make I can wage. thinking okay. >> And yeah. So the last part of the presentation is just leave everyone with some tangible ways that they can get connected with the district councils, learn more about their Most of the work district councils do is to. >> Engage new voices or maintain the level of engagement that they currently have building relationships and creating opportunities for

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community participation and in our role, that sort of thing kind of responsive and engaged on things that kind of are challenging for but also to help and do our part to share of the public, the Zahra district councils. This is how you get like Hopefully you for yourself and also give us that feedback of. What it's like to participate district councils. And so last year we did celebrate the 50th anniversary of the District Council system. And so part of our efforts forward to redesign and update the city's website

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to make it more informative and accessible to residents and sell. Yeah, this website has introductory video that covers a lot of what we covered in the first part of the presentation and has a directory with contact information website links for district councils that we keep up to date. As I have new information about working at the council's and so there just a couple ways that folks can get involved with the district Councils Finder District Council, an interactive map where you live there, work there play and you're just in that area often there's a lot of opportunities

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to get connected or early notification system. You can sign up by district Council so you can stay up to date on applications and proposals that we send. The district councils for feedback can attend an event for committee meeting. Volunteer at an event or with an initiative or to run for an actual seat on the board. And then these are just couple takeaways that cover, you know, district councils, neighborhood partners that connects, you know, residents to city government that we

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administer and distribute funding as budgets are adopted and that the fiscal year 2026 budget include an increase in funding that is really supportive to district councils and that there was a one-time investment to support that cdbg funding and that we really do encourage folks second involved i make our District Council stronger. my contacts. Lighting can address questions and says the fire that we recently ceated distributed out to a lot of our communications and outreach staff to have out in

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there efforts and can have district councils use. And that's a big part of we want the city to help us with the visibility of our work how to get connected. So. So surely we're trying meet some of those needs with our existing resources. But I the open 3rd remaining questions will pivot back to council President Acre. Thank you for finish presentation. >> Thanks, Madam Rule follower. first of all, thank you. This is really helpful in to my colleagues. If your appetite whetted for more

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information about district councils, it is that yes, a spoiler alert, but it is one of the 3 topics that the audit committee is considering. So has Kuzma Coleman Johnson. I come around. If this is of interest to you, this is something that the audit committee also taken to further. And so, yeah, I guess I'm just wondering, going back to the funding formula. As you noted, it does give additional dollars and so additional consideration for the fact that a district might more residents in poverty or mre residents who speak a language other than English. I'm wondering if along with those

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additional dollars, do we have specific expectations and then didn't how district councils are supposed to be providing additional services to engage those residents and thinking about things like translators and interpreters and thinking about childcare and thinking actually express Lee not - allowed to buy with their dollars like. How are? We're giving additional money and then what are we expecting on the back end in terms of how they're engaging differently with those folks who have those additional barriers, I would say. >> That's a mechanism that we still kind need to figure out, but that we would be. >> In a position to have

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clarified expectations around. I think previously to this increase for any conversations around the increase, I don't know how much we've tied. Yes, we're increasing the funding we know. We need that to stabilize and sustain our operations. But also how are we evaluating? How you're going? The extra mile for some of these areas and sell things that I have thought about or have seen opportunity. We have our language access coordinator and we have language access plan and we have areas where we know that

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there is no language brriers. And so how do we make sure that that information is one coming to district councils? They're aware that they may be and a dstrict that. Experiences language barriers. And so what is that like? That's something that we can follow up a little bit more intentionally and the work plan process of what does that look like right now? They have equity evaluation forms which they kind of elaborate on barriers that they have for. Communities that they're looking to do. Increase engagement, went a lot of it is around how we provide child care, transportation

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engagement, incentives, increased we access the poor. my response lately has been we had this increase in funding as an eligible use, the funding, prioritize it, share it with us that that's how you're doing and also share. What that budget impact is like. Is it more or less and you're experiencing which you do it for all your monthly board. Meetings only certain community meetings or is that your forums like that's where we want to have a little bit more conversation to have them. One help initiate and

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lead that, but that we're having a back and forth and more information to help address that. So I would say we haven't been in a position where it's like, oh, this contract here. We want to prioritize X, Y and It's been primarily he said the required activities. We want to make sure we have clear understanding of how those get carried out and reported on. And then we're also tracking like what individual district is. Prioritizing. And so I think that's just other layer Asking for more information

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and how are we bringing them information? And then following up on the same one. Well, I appreciate just being able to hear threw that in for folks that just want a refresher on the distribution on overall funding allocation for this year. It's on Page 27 in the country. Form for the application to show you the different breakdowns by district councils, predominately large amount of the district councils are receiving. Additional resources are on the east side. So I think song has, I

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think, being able hear a little bit more how they're intentionally engaging communities of color and I know several of the organizations have organizers and task force that have been existence to try to engage renter is on have been showing up in different ways for them. Several of our communications and communities that are there. So he's placing that as a refresher, but really, truly appreciate you take the time as well to provide update and the folks have additional questions will be sure to reach out as a follow-up. I just thought it would be really important because we

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don't have. We'll hear from Pete these and the tree budget in a couple of weeks. But I don't know it would go into deep of a dive and a sister council funding. And because that was a conversation and it what felt like an intentional decision made by the spotty, we thought that would be more appropriate to have it stand alone in this conversation platform. So. >> really apreciate it. Thank To to the team as well for putting together those numbers resources ahead of time. >> it the first time since the nation has kind of been a more formal program. We'll play provides that baseline and we

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can follow up. There's other questions for areas of interest. Let's make sure that we asked that question for district councils and see if we can't bring that forward for project conversations as well. Just wanting to if a notice the difference related to whether they think funding peace has helpful to not have to deal with some of the federal piece cvg. And if the answer comes back that because of allocation of the timing allocation, we might be better suited have that discussion. 27. Also less that. Thank you so much. 58. We don't have anything else and front

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office. I just wanted to share and take personal time, a privilege that the next community engagement on the budget that will be on August. 13th and they So the over about a creek rec center from On August 13th in the evening. We have a busy day on the 13th. So will be more details as well. Coming out of mayor's office. I'm sure regarding the seat of the budget address and a library addressing all of the details. But August 30 will be a great day for folks to Folks to make sure that there are all things budget.

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But that marriage.