North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Federal Immigration Enforcement (ICE) and Community Impact
Electrical Substation System Upgrade
Water Quality and Chlorination
Recognition of Commission Volunteers
City Department Updates and Projects
Student Commissioner Engagement
Trash Hauler RFP Process
Votes (1)
Substation System Upgrading and Replacements
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Schwear [00:27:35] · Seconded by Council member McKenzie [00:27:45]
The Electric Director, John Wick, explained that critical equipment in the city's 35-year-old electrical substation was failing, leading to inaccurate load readings. He proposed a full system upgrade over simply replacing failed parts, arguing the upgrade offers better long-term reliability, future compatibility with new technologies, comprehensive training for staff, and access to more vital information from existing relays. The estimated cost for a full upgrade was $92,000, compared to $60,000-$70,000 for piecemeal replacement of current, increasingly difficult-to-obtain parts. The upgrade was deemed absorbable within the department's budget and was recommended by an expert consultant, Jason Van Heck of PMG Engineering.
Notable Quotes (3)
Our current system is maxed out. We cannot receive any more information from the substation. Uh, and there's a lot of good information that we can receive uh, if we do upgrade.
I would be a lot more comfortable with the upgrade uh, than actually replacing what's currently there. We could I know we can read that and we can interpret that. Uh, but I think there's a lot more capabilities moving forward with the new the new path.
Well, I like that. um like what you do and also what Ron you know you bring the solutions plus the other ones too. So we look at the upgrade and what it cost to compare to you know replacing just like we did with the the door locks and all the other things. So it's I appreciate you doing both sides to say this will get us to this point but this also will be able to get us farther into the future.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Separate federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement; local police do not interfere with their operations.
Body for submitting complaints against Department of Homeland Security employees.
Method for filing complaints directly to the DHS Office of Inspector General.
Minutes from a previous meeting, approved as part of the consent agenda.
Item on the consent agenda regarding appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Report approved as part of the consent agenda.
Agreement approved as part of the consent agenda.
New guide for residents being developed by the Communication department.
Report completed by the Public Works department on the city's water system usage.
Grant program allowing residents to apply for funds to replace leaking sewer lines.
Legal basis for entering a closed session to conduct a performance review of the city manager.