July 6–12, 2026
The city council named a Phalen Park island, cleared the books on diseased tree removals, and Ramsey County updated a federal crime grant with Saint Paul; next week brings property bills that could land on your tax statement.
On your property tax bill. The biggest practical item this week came from the city council on Wednesday, July 8: a resolution (RES 26-944) authorizing removal of diseased and dangerous trees is now law. If the city took down a tree on your lot in April 2026, an assessment bill for the removal cost is headed your way. Separately, Ramsey County adopted an update to its joint agreement with Saint Paul (2026-244) on how the two governments manage federal Byrne Grant money for the Familiar Faces program, which works with people who cycle repeatedly through the criminal justice system. Both measures are adopted and in effect.
Around the neighborhood. The council also voted Wednesday to rename Phalen Picnic Island as Tou Ger Xiong Island (RES 26-1023), honoring a local community figure; city maps and signs will be updated accordingly. The council separately honored 30 years of Kumbayah Juneteenth Story (RES 26-1106), a local arts tradition tied to Juneteenth celebrations in Saint Paul. Both resolutions are now law.
At the county. The Ramsey County Board adopted two additional items Tuesday, July 7. It approved an amendment to County Manager Ling Becker's employment contract (2026-260) following a performance review. It also accepted a donation from the Minnesota State Fair to the county's social services department (2026-241). Both are adopted.
On the federal radar. Federal bills advanced out of committee this week that touch functions this city shares with every major metro. One (HR 6238) directs the NIH (National Institutes of Health) to fund research on maternal health outcomes, which would shape care guidelines at hospitals including Regions Hospital here in Saint Paul. Another (HR 8770) allocates $500 million yearly for baggage screening equipment and $250 million for checkpoint technology at airports, funded by the $5.60 security fee already on your ticket; that affects anyone flying through MSP. An ALS (a fatal neurological disease) research bill (HR 8205) extends federal funding and faster drug-approval programs through 2031. All three cleared committee and await a House floor vote, with no firm date set yet. Several other federal bills this week dealt with matters outside Saint Paul, including a DHS reorganization plan and a terrorism threat-assessment report to Congress.
Coming up next week:
Tree and demolition assessments on the council agenda. Two resolutions come up for a vote Wednesday, July 15. One (RLH AR 26-42) would ratify charges billed to property owners for city tree removals done in February 2026. The other (RLH AR 26-43) would ratify charges for city demolitions of vacant or hazardous structures in March 2026. If your property was touched by either action, the charge would appear as a special assessment on your property tax bill. This is the moment to reach out to your council member if you received or expect a notice and have questions about the amount.
Unpaid garbage bills headed toward your tax statement. Two resolutions (RES 26-1031 and RES 26-1032) go to a council vote Wednesday, July 15. If your garbage fees from January through March 2026 went unpaid, the city would add collection costs as a property tax assessment in September. The two measures cover related but distinct portions of that debt-recovery process.
City supervisor pay deal. A proposed labor contract (RES 26-998) covering Saint Paul supervisors from January 2026 through December 2028 is on the council's agenda for Wednesday, July 15, listed for discussion. The deal sets wages and benefits for that group of city employees across the three-year term.
Ramsey County crime and health items in the pipeline. A state grant for community crime prevention programs (2026-041) is headed to the county board, as is a proposal for Ramsey to join the statewide criminal justice data network (2026-259), which would let officers and prosecutors look up records and warrants in real time. The county medical examiner's office also has a drug toxicology grant (2026-256) awaiting a vote that would expand testing on overdose deaths to help track which substances are driving fatalities here. None of these three has a firm vote date confirmed yet.
Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant redevelopment. A master plan update for the former munitions site (2026-217) is on the Ramsey County Board's agenda. The plan shapes what can be built on that property and affects traffic and development patterns in the surrounding area; it is awaiting a scheduled board vote with no confirmed date.
See what's up for a vote now · Find your representatives