July 22, 2026 - City Council Public Safety Committee Meeting

The City of Saint Paul's Public Safety Committee convened on July 22, 2026, to discuss the mayor's encampment release plan addressing unsheltered homelessness and encampment closures, particularly at Pig's Eye Park. The meeting featured detailed presentations by Assistant Mayor Cedric Baker and Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker, focusing on coordinated city-county efforts to provide shelter, housing navigation, and supportive services. Key procurement-related updates included Ramsey County's recent execution of a contract with Catholic Charities to add 49 emergency shelter beds and the release of a request for proposals to expand housing case management services for individuals transitioning from encampments. The committee also reviewed several resolutions, including a CDBG loan amendment for TWV Limited Partnership, amendments to the Business Assistance Fund guidelines to include skyway access improvements, and a three-year license agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for exclusive use of HRA property. Additionally, a redevelopment project at 47 Douglas Street was introduced, involving a $254,961 CDBG-funded subsidy to Historic Saint Paul for rehabilitating a historic home. The meeting concluded with a second quarter budget-to-actual report from the Department of Planning and Economic Development, highlighting financial management improvements, program spending updates, and concerns about special fund revenue shortfalls. Motions to approve the loan amendment, fund guideline changes, and license agreement were passed unanimously.