Summary

City Council adopts consent agenda, funding actions, public‑hearing items and several ordinances; hears property and code appeals

Saint PaulFeb 18, 20263 min read

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At the February 18, 2026 Saint Paul City Council meeting the Council adopted the consent agenda (including park leases and grant applications), authorized public‑safety and parks funding actions, finalized two ordinances, addressed multiple property tax/abatement matters, and laid over several franchise and bond items for second reading.

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Consent Agenda adopted, including: RES 26-198 (three‑year lease with District 10 Como Community Council at the Historic Como Streetcar Station); RES 26-216 (authorize Parks & Recreation to apply for Local Trail Connections grants, up to $250,000 per application); RES 26-217 (authorize Parks & Recreation to apply for Outdoor Recreation grants, up to $500,000 per application); RES 26-219 (authorize Police Department to submit application for 2026 HIDTA Grant Program); RES 26-273 and RES 26-274 (approvals of change of ownership for licenses for premises at 1750 Thomas Ave and 1521 Randolph Ave); RES 26-288 (accept donation of event tickets from Tickets for Kids); RES 26-290 (reappointments to the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission); RES 26-292 (accept gift of travel expenses for Assistant Mayor); RES 26-302 (use Neighborhood STAR funds for Public Works mill/overlay and sidewalk programs).
Received and filed communications: CO 26-13 (DSI letter declaring 633 Capitol Blvd a nuisance property), AO 26-13 (amend 2026 DPW Electric Vehicle Maintenance budget), AO 26-15 (establish intent for one‑time special funds for consulting services in OFS).
Motion of intent to deny the Minnesota Department of Administration appeal of the Board of Zoning Appeals (ABZA 26-1) regarding a requested 10' fence variance (motion: deny).
Authorized Fire Department to conduct fire training exercises at 753 Front Avenue (RES 26-320 adopted).
Final adoption of ordinances: Ord 26-7 (adding Chapter 268B to require law enforcement to conduct operations without masks/facial coverings except as specified) and Ord 26-8 (amending Section 86.01(a) to authorize up to three assistants to the Mayor to execute certain contracts and increase the dollar threshold for designees).
Laid over for second reading: Ord 26-9 (geothermal energy franchise by The Heights Community Energy, Inc.), Ord 26-11 (authority for Port Authority bond issuance related to St. Joseph’s site redevelopment), and Ord 26-12 (create fee categories/license fees for Transportation Network Companies).
Adopted multiple public‑hearing items: RES PH 26-7 (ratify assessment for repair of sanitary sewer line on private properties); RES PH 26-39 (accept $250,000 CSMHP grant and amend Parks & Recreation financing and spending plan); RES PH 26-40 (amend Parks & Recreation financing and spending plan for $2,500,000 state bonding pass‑through for Conway Recreation Center and authorize grant agreement); RES PH 26-45 (amend Parks & Recreation plans for $551,205.97 from Como Friends); RES PH 26-46 (accept 2024 AFG grant of $679,543.63 for Fire Department training/physicals); RES PH 26-50 (establish Fairview/St. Joe’s TIF district and adopt TIF plan).
Public hearing continued: PH 26-4 (public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations continued to February 25, 2026).
Legislative hearing consent actions: numerous special tax assessments were deleted or ratified (examples: RLH TA 26-4 deleting assessment for 970 Burr St; RLH TA 26-16 deleting assessment for 705 Dayton Ave; RLH TA 26-2 deleting assessment for 463 Forest St; RLH TA 26-1 ratifying assessment for 1264 Payne Ave), appeals and abatement actions adopted (e.g., RLH SAO 26-8 appeal at 708 Hawthorne Ave E adopted), and RLH RR 26-2 (order to rehabilitate or raze structures at 799 University Ave W) was referred to the April 14, 2026 Legislative Hearing.

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