St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
GIS Supervisor Pay Rate Establishment
Juneteenth Story 30th Anniversary Celebration
Northern States Power DBA XL Energy Electric Franchise Extension
Northern States Power DBA XL Energy Gas Franchise Extension
Sound Level Variance Approvals
Tree Preservation for City-Sponsored Construction Projects
Tenant Appeal of Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice
Votes (9)
Resolution 26-969 Establishing Rate of Pay for GIS Supervisor
Moved by Unknown [0:1:7]
The resolution, which addresses the pay rate for a GIS supervisor, required a minor technical amendment (version two) before being considered. There was no further discussion on the substance of the resolution.
Resolution 26-106 Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Kumbaya, the Juneteenth Story
Moved by Miss Johnson [0:6:56]
Council Member Johnson introduced the resolution, emphasizing the play's significance in St. Paul. Rose McGee, the play's creator, shared its history, from educating the community about Juneteenth to its evolution and performance in other cities. Representatives from the Minnesota Humanities Center and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie lauded McGee's dedication and the play's lasting impact on community and history education.
Ordinance 26-32 Amending Appendix C (Northern States Power DBA XL Energy Electric Franchise)
City Treasurer Neil Johans presented the first reading of the ordinance. He explained that the city's current electric franchise with XL Energy is set to expire on August 31st. The ordinance proposes a brief extension until the end of the year to allow time for the final phase of negotiations and necessary approvals from the Public Utilities Commission.
Ordinance 26-33 Amending Appendix B (Northern States Power DBA XL Energy Gas Franchise)
This ordinance, related to the XL Energy gas franchise, is similar to Item 35. It also had its first reading and proposes an extension of the current franchise to accommodate ongoing negotiations and regulatory processes with the Public Utilities Commission. No distinct discussion points were added beyond those for the electric franchise.
Resolution 26-146 Approving Sound Level Variance for Rondo Community Coalition Block Party
Moved by Miss Buoie [0:10:48]
A public hearing was convened for this resolution concerning a sound level variance for the Rondo Community Coalition's block party. No members of the public came forward to offer testimony.
Resolution 26-147 Approving Sound Level Variance for Sonia Castillo Cho Fest
Moved by Miss Buoie [0:11:21]
The public hearing for this resolution, pertaining to a sound level variance for the Cho Fest event, was opened. No individuals appeared to provide testimony on the matter.
Ordinance 25-4 Amending Title 4 to Add Chapter 92 Titled Tree Preservation for City Sponsored Construction Projects
Moved by Council President Anchor [0:19:54]
A public hearing was held where several community members and organization representatives (SARPA, St. Paul Parks Conservancy) voiced strong support, emphasizing the ordinance's focus on preservation over replacement and its role in treating trees as critical public infrastructure. Testifiers praised the extensive community input process and the work of staff like Megan Jacket. Questions were raised regarding the ordinance's strength in forcing alternative project designs and ensuring effective enforcement. The public hearing was briefly reopened to ensure earlier testimony was recorded due to a video feed issue. Council members highlighted the collaborative nature of the ordinance's development and its importance for climate equity.
Resolution RLHFCO26-51 Appeal of McKenzie, Tenant of Unit 5 to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at 683 Kansas Avenue
Moved by Council President Anchor [0:34:53]
Miss Zimney reported on a fire correction order listing multiple property issues, with a compliance deadline for the property owner. Tenant B. McKenzie, the appellant, testified about long-standing frustrations, alleging theft by maintenance, lack of repairs despite multiple city visits, and the dismissal of his prior court case. Council members sought clarification on the appeal's scope and the property owner's responsibility. The Council supported enforcing the correction orders on the property owner and committed to directly assisting the tenant with his ongoing landlord disputes.
Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda Items 40-49 (excluding 43)
Moved by Miss Kim [0:37:34]
The legislative hearing consent agenda, which included items 40 through 49 (excluding item 43 that was separately discussed), was presented. A public hearing was held for these items, but no one came forward to offer testimony.
Notable Quotes (12)
I cannot believe it's been 30 years that the Twin Cities Juneteenth Commission said, "Can you create something that will help educate our community?" At the time, we were doing wonderful parade and also a festival in the park, but people still didn't understand what Juneteenth meant.
It's important that our young people as well as our adults understand the history, understand how important it is that we can just stand together and and and work together and be in unity and understand truly what freedom is because um as Frederick Douglas says which is one of the lines in the play, if there is no what? Struggle there is no progress.
the St. Paul City Council recognizes and uplifts the tremendous contributions of artists... Rose McGee, the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization, and the Minnesota Humanity Center for their commitment to preserving history, advancing community dialogue, and honoring the legacy of Juneteenth through the transformative power of storytelling and the arts.
Our current franchise is set to expire August 31st of this year. Um and so we need a a brief extension of the life of our current franchise out to the end of the year to um accommodate kind of like the last phase of negotiations with Excel.
It's crucial to emphasize that this is a tree preservation ordinance. It is not a tree replacement ordinance. Trees must be preserved. They cannot meaningfully be replaced.
Will the ordinance be strong enough to force alternative designs and methods to be chosen, especially with discretionary elements of projects like bike trails where clear alternatives exist? Or will proposed project designs overrule alternatives and tree preservation will only occur if feasible or if it doesn't prohibit construction activity?
I'm really proud that we have acknowledged trees are public infrastructure and they're worth considering and sometimes they trump the other considerations.
I think that is what government should be. We've had 19 public meetings, including the public input group meetings... we have had our parks and public works departments working together on this ordinance... And as a result of the last 16 months, they have developed those relationships so they'll be ready to hit the ground running implementing this ordinance on day one.
Each council member I'm sure has heard if if they're have heard what I've heard a significant uh growing interest in preserving our tree canopy here on especially on the east side. We have some of the greatest climate action disparities when it comes to just all of the things. And often it is related to the the amount of trees we do not have in my community.
The findings included kitchen drain line dripping, upstairs bathtub overflowing through the ceiling, heat deflector shield removed from heater in the kitchen. There were a couple smoke alarms that were removed... Some repairs and holes in the vanity upstairs. There's some bubbling in the ceiling upstairs... a new vent fan upstairs.
My issue is with also the maintenance property solutions. I have a video of them stealing some of the materials I took from my house... They come in, they say they're going to repair, let's say, the exhaust fan. The exhaust fan is still missing... So my daughter failed during Zoom court. The judge hurried up and dismissed my case because this was caught on camera. Dismissed it with prejudice just cuz I couldn't see or he couldn't hear me on Zoom. So now my case is in the trash.
I'm looking forward to sort of the followup from our departments to ensure that they stick to this timeline because I wrote down, you know, February 18th, March 5th, April 9th, May 8th, you know, I think um what I'm hearing from the testifier and the tenant is like what is the means to the end here?
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Establishing the rate of pay for the classification of GIS supervisor EG09 SPSO grade 19.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of 'Kumbaya, the Juneteenth story' and its enduring legacy.
Amending appendix C of the legislative code relating to Northern States Power DBA XL Energy electric franchise.
Amending appendix B of the legislative code relating to Northern States Power DBA XL Energy Gas franchise.
Approving the application of Rondo Community Coalition for a sound level variance.
Approving the application of Sonia Castillo for a sound level variance.
Amending title 4 of the St. Paul Administrative Code to add chapter 92 titled Tree Preservation for City Sponsored Construction Projects.
Appeal of McKenzie, tenant of unit 5 to a fire certificate of occupancy correction notice at 683 Kansas Avenue.
A court document filed by tenant McKenzie.