Safe Gun Storage
Thank you to Moms Demand Action for their advocacy and organizing to push for ORD 23-22 (amendment to Chapter 225 of the Legislative Code related to weapons) which was approved unanimously by St Paul City Council this week!
This ordinance amends St Paul Legislative Code to reinforce responsible gun ownership practices through safe gun storage, securing ammunition and including gun lock devices which can reduce and prevent the tragedies associated with the discharge of firearms left unsecured.
The Council supports gun safety requirements as an effort to save lives from multiple sources of violent firearms discharge, unintentional shootings, crime-related gun violence (facilitated by stolen guns), suicide and other mass shootings.
Please read the full Safe Storage Ordinance here for more information.
Summit Regional Trail Plan
This week, the Summit Regional Trail plan came before City Council and was approved. Additional input and engagement will take place, and funding for the project will need to be secured before the road reconstruction can be implemented.
I want to share great thanks to Director Kershaw and Director Rodriguez for their leadership on the Summit Avenue Regional Plan, and to all the staff members in Public Works, Parks, and Planning and Economic Development who were part of the planning and engagement that went into this plan during the past 18 months.
I appreciate how intentional the planning process has been, not only in engaging community, but also in implementing community feedback into a regional trail plan that aligns with the City’s comprehensive plan, as well as the Climate Action Resiliency Plan and Pedestrian Plan.
I believe improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities across our city, especially on streets, will not only increase the overall safety for all residents, but also will open pathways for marginalized communities into parts of the city that have historically felt closed off due to wealth disparities.
We owe it to schoolkids, working people, and more communities who rely on a multitude of transportation options to get around our city, to not just provide safe transportation options and conditions, but to also create access to clean air, less traffic, and robust outdoor opportunities that improve the overall health and equity of all neighborhoods.
As the people quite literally designing the future, this plan has the potential to set a larger precedent for future design and construction efforts that reflect a more diverse, accurate representation of the many people and cultures of St. Paul.
I look forward to this continued work and certainly hope, too, that this is the start to many of the much-needed updates to public facilities across St. Paul, and especially on the East Side, so that we can truly make St. Paul safe and accessible for all residents.
Congratulations to STAR Grant Recipients
Congratulations to the most recent recipients of Ward 6 Year Round STAR Funding: Checker Board Pizza, Far East Bar and Restaurant, Family Foods Market LLC, and Hillcrest Knoll Disc Golf Course.
If you run a business or non-profit in St Paul Ward 6 and are you needing to make a permanent improvement (lasting 7+ years) to your building, reach out to our office as you may be eligible for Ward 6 Year-Round STAR Funding!
Please email our office with information on your project to receive an application. Read full STAR eligibility guidelines here. Applications are subject to approval from the Saint Paul STAR Board and Saint Paul City Council.
ESNDC Friendly Storefronts Program
Attention Ward 6 Businesses! Are you looking to refresh the appearance of your storefront this summer? Check out East Side Neighborhood Development Company’s Friendly Storefronts Program - Grant funding is available for façade improvement projects on a first come basis. See the flyer for general program guidelines, and send all inquiries to jmcgregor@esndc.org to start the application process!
Youth Programs for the Summer
Choose from a variety of fun summer programming options for youth through Saint Paul Parks & Recreation. Register today as some camps and activities have limited spots remaining.
Summer camps and activities: Full and half-day camps for youth of all ages. Costs range from free up to $275.
Summer Rec Check: Free program for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Thursday from 1-4pm at 23 sites.
Summer S'more Fun: $42/day for those entering grades 1-6 this fall on Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm at 3 sites. Limited spots available.
Recreation in Motion: Recreation in Motion brings outdoor summer fun to your neighborhood! A free youth program offering athletic programs, arts and crafts, and other organized activities. No pre-registration is required.
YMCA Lifeguard Pre-Skills Training
The Midway YMCA is offering a FREE training class for young adults interested in learning skills to become a certified lifeguard. The class will teach correct techniques to swim 300 yards and basic rescue skills. After completing the class, students can take their Red Cross Life Saving class to become part of the YMCA team as a certified lifeguard!
Register at the Midway Y front desk. Training starts June 13th!
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