Climate Emergency for Saint Paul
In August 2021 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations released a report that stated “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere and land,” and that “human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2000 years,” and “with every additional increment of global warming, changes in extremes continue to become larger.”
In Minnesota, the ten warmest and wettest years ever recorded have all occurred since 1998. Warming surface waters are leading to a significant loss of fish habitat for many prominent species, as well as increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms. Forests are changing as native northern species are strained by warming temperatures. Crops are stressed by cycles of drought and floods. Home insurance rates are rising far faster than the national average from an average of $368 in 1998 to $1348 in 2015. Faster warming winters are allowing new pests to thrive, and are shortening our winter recreation seasons. Extreme weather will create new challenges for Saint Paul’s infrastructure and finances and will pose a threat to the economic vitality of our residents and businesses.
Saint Paul’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), adopted by the City Council on December 18, 2019 (RES PH 19-416), commits to carbon neutrality by 2050 and reducing emissions 50% by 2030.
Because of the climate crisis we currently face, the Saint Paul City Council declares that a climate emergency threatens our city, region, state, nation, humanity and the natural world.
Saint Paul calls on the Minnesota legislature and executive branch to immediately and aggressively take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide and support cities of all sizes around Minnesota to both mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change including providing funding and resources for the development and implementation of climate action plans.
Saint Paul calls on the federal government to immediately commit resources to support the climate mitigation and adaptation efforts of cities large and small, to invest in the infrastructure needed for a sustainable future, to ensure that investment is at the scale needed, and to provide the necessary global leadership to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
Read the full resolution (RES 22-98) here.
1-4 Unit Housing Zoning Changes
Saint Paul’s Zoning Code controls how much housing can be built in certain parts of the City. These requirements make it difficult to build enough new housing to fix Saint Paul’s current housing shortage. City Council Resolution 18-1204 and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan call for studying ways to allow more neighborhood-scale housing in all areas of the City. This is why Saint Paul has been studying zoning regulations that affect one- to four-unit dwellings, specifically, regulations that determine the size, layout, and type of housing allowed on a property.
This 1-4 Unit Housing Study has two phases. Phase 1 of the study focused on small housing, accessory dwelling units, and small parcels. These Phase 1 amendments were just adopted by the City Council this past week on January 19, 2022! Read more about the changes here: City Council Ordinance 22-1.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan, in Housing policies H-48 and H-49, directs City staff to “expand permitted housing types in Urban Neighborhoods to include duplexes, triplexes, town homes, small- scale multi-family…to allow for neighborhood-scale density increases, broadened housing choices and intergenerational living” and to “consider amendments to the zoning code to permit smaller single- family houses and duplexes to facilitate the creation of small-home development types, such as pocket neighborhoods and cottage communities”. In order to support the creation and preservation of housing that is affordable to all income levels, address racial, social, and economic disparities, and create infrastructure to stabilize housing for all in Saint Paul, we must explore the potential for allowing three- and four-unit dwellings in currently single-family zoning districts located in Neighborhood Nodes and transit corridors.
What's next? Give your input on Phase 2!
Phase 2 has involved a broader in-depth study and technical analysis stage with input from housing, development, and financial experts and includes public engagement around zoning and housing.
Join City staff, District Council representatives, and residents at one of three upcoming virtual engagement sessions to share input for Phase 2 of the 1-4 Unit Housing Study!
Attendees will see a presentation on the study and take part in small group discussions on neighborhood-scale housing types and potential opportunities for the City to add more housing.
These sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. on February 1 (Tues), February 10 (Thurs), and March 2 (Wed) and are being co-hosted by partnering District Councils. This study is exploring the potential to create more neighborhood-scale housing types that are missing across the city. For a link to attend the virtual meeting and to learn more, visit www.EngageStPaul.org/1to4HousingStudy.
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5th Annual Saint Paul Business Award Winners!
This is our fifth year since the City Council launched our City of Saint Paul Business Awards. We had over 50 applications, and through a selection committee that’s made up of past winners from our Saint Paul business community, these four businesses were selected to receive the awards for 2021:
Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 Snelling Avenue - People’s Choice Award - Honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents.
Lip Esteem, LLC, 876 Selby Avenue - New Kid on the Block Award - Honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years.
Golden Harvest Foods, 900 Maryland Avenue E - Traditions Award - Honoring a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least 20 years.
Hoa Mei Market & Deli, 860 Maryland Avenue E - Good Neighbor Award - Honors a business that show s a dedication to improving the community.
Big congratulations to those awarded! Please continue to shop and support our Saint Paul locally owned businesses.
Jobs for Youth and Employers
Right Track, the City of Saint Paul's youth employment program, is recruiting youth and employers.
For business leaders and employers: Employer applications to host a Saint Paul intern this summer are now open. Help cultivate Saint Paul’s future workforce. The workforce of the future will be made up of young, diverse talent, and Right Track can help connect you! Regardless of the industry or organizational structure, your company will truly benefit from mentoring Saint Paul youth. Apply today or reach out to Shaina Abraham at shaina.abraham@ci.stpaul.mn.us to get started.
For youth seeking employment: Applications for youth will be open the month of February for jobs beginning in Summer 2022. Employment opportunities are for youth ages 14-21. There are many internship opportunities to choose from thanks to our amazing employer partners throughout the city. Help spread the word to get our young people connected to a meaningful summer experience with Right Track! Learn more about opportunities by watching this video created by Right Track interns and find more information online. (Applications will be available starting Feb. 1.) For application support and/or questions, please reach out to the Right Track team at righttrack@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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FREE Spring Sports at Duluth & Case Rec
Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the University of Minnesota, are offering FREE spring sports at the Duluth & Case Rec Center in Ward 6! These offerings are for youth ages 6 – 12 years old. Interested individuals can register for volleyball or indoor soccer online or by calling the Duluth & Case Rec Center at 651-298-5709.
COVID-19 Updates
Effective January 19 (January 26 for ticketed events): City-licensed businesses and venues serving food and/or beverages consumed indoors on site are required to request all patrons to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative test result for COVID-19 (received within 72 hours of entry) and a photo ID. Photo ID not required for those under 18. Patrons also must wear face covering at all times except when eating or drinking. Individuals under the age of five are exempt. Businesses can print and post this official sign alerting patrons. More details are available at stpaul.gov/executive-orders.
Mask Requirement
Mayor Melvin Carter has signed Executive Order 2022-3 requiring face coverings to be worn indoors in all city-controlled facilities and all businesses licensed by the City of Saint Paul. This went into effect January 6th at 5 pm.
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Test at Home for FREE
 Order free, at home, COVID-19 tests from the federal government. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order up to four free at-home tests. All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests, not PCR tests. These tests provide results within 30 minutes and no lab drop-off is required. Learn more about ordering a test from these frequently asked questions.
$200 Visa gift card: The State of Minnesota is offering $200 Visa gift cards to families in Minnesota who get their 5-11-year-olds fully vaccinated in January and February. To be eligible, kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 must receive their first and second dose between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28.
$100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings: Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all kids in Minnesota 5-11 years old who are fully vaccinated. All kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 years old who completed their first and second doses at any point up to the registration deadline will be eligible to enter for a chance to win a $100,000 college scholarship. Details on the drawings will be announced in the coming months.
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Get Boosted
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!
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Need an in-person test?
Need an in-person saliva or rapid test? The State of Minnesota and Ramsey County are operating COVID-19 testing sites that are free and open to everyone who believes they need to be tested, with or without symptoms.
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.
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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.
Affordable Connectivity Program
Are you in need of internet service? You may qualify for FREE or reduced-cost internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). https://www.fcc.gov/acp Households may qualify if you're eligible for public assistance programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, National School Lunch Program, SNAP, Medicaid and Housing Assistance. Apply at https://acpbenefit.org!
Snow Emergency Information
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! Snow Emergency alerts by text or email are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
Call 651-266-PLOW (7569) to hear a recorded message about the current Snow Emergency status.
Print and share Snow Emergency brochure information with your neighbors. Brochures are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Karen, Oromo, Lao, Burmese, and Amharic.
Download the free Saint Paul Snow Emergency parking map that can show you when and where you can park in your neighborhood.
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.
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