City of North St. Paul City Council Regular Meeting - 12/16/2025

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Holiday Lights Award presentation

Consent agenda items

Public comment regarding water chlorination

2026 Final levy and budget adoption

2026 Non-levy budgets

2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan

Ordinance adding 'application' definition to city code

Second amendment to Rum River Consultants building inspection contract

Solid waste and recycling collection services RFP

Purchase of E1 Metro 100-foot ladder truck

Areas of Interest (4)

North St. Paul moves toward 8% property tax levy increase for 2026 fiscal year.
Fire department shifts from expensive platform ladder trucks to 'right-sized' 100-foot ladder trucks to save millions.
City implements mandatory electronic application process for contractors following resistance from vendors.
Ongoing debate over city water quality and the historical refusal to chlorinate supply resurfaces at public meeting.

Votes (3)

Adopt 2026 final general fund, park, street, asset preservation budgets and levies

PassedUnanimous

Moved by Council member Schwar · Seconded by Council member Norby

Adopt 2026 tax levy for North St. Paul HRA

PassedUnanimous

Moved by Council member Woods · Seconded by Council member McKenzie

Adopt 2026 tax levy for North St. Paul EDA

PassedUnanimous

Moved by Council member Schwar · Seconded by Council member Woods

Notable Quotes (3)

Overall when you take the city, the HRA, the EDA... all of it is an 8% levy increase over last year.
— Winnick

2026 BudgetBudget presentation

The response that I got 10 years ago from the council was we don't need no stinking chlorine.
— John Schwall

Water qualityPublic comment

The replacement of our current truck platform... would be 2.4 to $2.5 million. I knew that that was not going to be a feasible task.
— Minger

Fire truck procurementFire equipment presentation

People (5)

MongiMayor

Presiding over city council meeting.

WinnickFinance Director

Presented the 2026 budget and levy information.

1 quote

“Overall when you take the city, the HRA, the EDA... all of it is an 8% levy increase over last year.”

Explaining the tax levy increase.

John SchwallResident

2750 Chisum Avenue; expressed concerns regarding water smell and the history of chlorine debate.

1 quote

“The response that I got 10 years ago from the council was we don't need no stinking chlorine.”

Recalling a past interaction with the council regarding water treatment.

KenCommunity Development Director

Presented code changes and contract amendments.

MingerFire Chief

Presented the proposal for a new fire truck.

1 quote

“The replacement of our current truck platform... would be 2.4 to $2.5 million. I knew that that was not going to be a feasible task.”

Justifying the choice of a more affordable ladder truck.

Places Mentioned

North St. Paul2750 Chisum AvenueFranklin Park apartmentsNorth St. Paul Pond 7North St. Paul Pond 4

Events & Meetings (3)

December 2, 2025: City Council Workshop and regular meeting
February 13, 2026: Deadline for trash hauling bid submissions
April 21, 2026: Expected council review of trash hauler recommendation

Ordinances & Resolutions (1)

Unspecified

Ordinance adding the definition of 'application' to city code to mandate electronic submittals.

View Source