Ward 6 Weekly Update 12/10/2021

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December 10, 2021

Passing of the 2022 Budget

St Paul downtown

The City of St Paul 2022 budget has now been approved by City Council. This has been a year long process, starting with a proposal from the Mayor and early prioritization work by Council, budget meetings with each City Department throughout the spring, summer and fall, with ongoing community feedback. Some key items of this budget include investments such as reinvestment in staffing in Parks and Libraries plus the creation of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Capital Improvements including the revitalization of Fire Station 7 on the East Side, plus the addition of budget stabilization dollars through the American Rescue Plan. We also reduced the Property Tax Levy from the initially proposed 6.9% to 6.17%, with an overall budget reduction of $1.2M compared to what was originally proposed. 

As I reflect on the work that took place over this last year, I see how it's been a journey of growth, prioritization, and learning more about our own values as a community. It's important to realize that our budget is a reflection of our values. One such value I want to continue to see us invest in is affordable housing for families and support for the Office of Neighborhood Safety, including investments in care work that rooted in mental health. One thing that is not in our budget today that I want to thank members of ISIAH for is the low income homeowners assistance program that was not funded this year. It is a program I am very supportive of and would like to see become a reality in the coming years. 

Thank you to everyone who reached out about the 2022 budget! If you would like to learn more and read the details of the 2022 budget, visit stpaul.gov/budget.  


Operation Warm with St Paul Fire

Operation Warm


I had a great time attending St Paul Fire and Operation Warm's new coat giveaway event this year where over 500 new coats were given to community members at Johnson Elementary and the Hallie Q. Brown Center. A big thank you to everyone who donated to make this possible!

You can like Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm on Facebook here. Learn more about Operation Warm here


Snow Emergency Information

snow plow


Sign up for Snow Emergency Alerts at stpaul.gov/SNOW!

When St Paul gets a snowfall accumulation of more than 3 inches, the City may declare a Snow Emergency, which requires all residents and visitors to move their cars off the streets to allow City crews to plow the entire City. 

Saint Paul’s Snow Emergency lasts 96 hours and has three phases: Night Plow Routes, Day Plow Routes, and Clean up. During this 96 hour period, you can report vehicles on your street that failed to move in time for the initial plowing by calling 651-266-9800. "Snowbird" vehicles will be ticketed, and towed if needed. These sections of road can then be re-plowed during the clean-up phase.

Residential side streets only get plowed during a Snow Emergency, so it’s critical that people move their cars for plows to get to the curb. To avoid a ticket, or tow, please follow all Snow Emergency parking rules.  Visit stpaul.gov/snow for more Snow Emergency information!. 


Get Your COVID-19 Booster

vaccine booster

All Minnesotans are now eligible for their COVID-19 booster shot! Officials have authorized 'mixing and matching' COVID-19 vaccine boosters, meaning anybody who is eligible to get a booster shot can get either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson booster shot regardless of what they received for their primary series. Make your appointment!

covid vaccine

Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health has opened its COVID-19 vaccination clinics to the general public. Ramsey County is offering Pfizer and Moderna booster shots at clinics by appointment only. Registration is available online or individuals can call Ramsey County Public Health’s vaccine phone line at 651-266-1190 (Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) with questions or to get help. Up to $100 in gift cards are being offered!

COVID Community Coordinators (CCCs) are community-based organizations that connect Minnesota’s diverse communities to COVID testing, vaccination, and other resources. CCCs support Minnesotans who need COVID-19 information specific to their communities, including in their languages. Coordinators help community members find and get critical resources to deal with health concerns, as well as employment, food access, housing, child care, and legal rights. Search for a COVID Community Coordinator that fits your needs.


COVID-19 Testing Update

covid swab

The State of Minnesota and Ramsey County have opened COVID-19 testing sites that are free and open to everyone who believes they need to be tested, with or without symptoms.

The COVID-19 Test at Home program is now available to all Minnesotans across the state. 

The State of Minnesota offers community testing at multiple locations. Currently, the closest Saint Paul locations include Roy Wilkins Auditorium and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport in Terminal 1. Appointments can be made through the Vault Health registration site. Walk-ins are also accepted. 

Additional testing locations are open throughout the state. 

Contact Us

Email: ward6@stpaul.gov

Phone: 651-266-8660

Facebook: NelsieYangWard6

Twitter: @NelsieYangCM

Meet & Greet phone call appointments are available on Thursdays.  Register online at stpaul.gov/ward6.


Housing Equity Now

Housing Equity Now

 

 

 

 

Thanks to thousands of renters, organizers and voters citywide, St. Paul passed one of the nation’s strongest rent stabilization policies last month. If you have experienced a rent increase greater than 3%, please fill out the form below with Housing Equity Now to get connected to legal assistance and to track predatory practices across the city. This survey will take no more than 2 minutes! 

Report here. Please share this resource with others in our community!

If you need help paying rent, check out the City of Saint Paul’s Families First Housing Pilot. Qualified Saint Paul families receive $300/month in rent assistance for three years.


Energy Assistance

Energy Assistance


The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) 
will now pay up to $3,200 towards income-eligible households' current and past-due energy bills, including water and sewer. The increase is due to an additional $106 million in federal funding.