 The Ward 4 office team (from left to right): Kristin Koziol, CM Matt Privratsky, and Jenne Nelson.
Hello Ward 4!
My name is Matt Privratsky and I’m your new interim councilmember. I might have met and worked with some of you when I was the Legislative Aide in this office from 2018-2021. Either way, I’m excited to be here to help represent our part of Saint Paul for the summer and I hope we get the chance to connect!
For those who don’t know me, I live in Midway with my wife Rochelle who works at the University of Minnesota as an academic advisor. In our free time we’re usually laying around with our dogs, supporting women’s soccer, or hanging out at a neighborhood brewery or restaurant. We met at the U of M Morris and moved to Saint Paul in 2013 and I’ve been an active local advocate for transportation, land use, and housing ever since. During my time as an aide, I also loved supporting small businesses and championing community first public safety efforts.
The rest of this newsletter, like so much of the work of the Ward 4 office, is done by our fantastic staff Jenne Nelson and Kristin Koziol. Whatever you need from our office, I’m confident Jenne and Kristin can help make it happen for you. And where they need to tap me in, I’m more than happy to be helpful wherever I can over the next few months and help hand off the work of the Ward to our new councilmember in August.
As you scroll down, you’ll find citywide legislative and policy updates, Ward 4 updates, and a digest of community resources and events. As always, feel free to reach out to us at the Ward 4 office with questions, concerns, or for assistance.
Thank you,
Councilmember Matt Privratsky, Ward 4
Jenne Nelson, Legislative Aide, jenne.nelson@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Kristin Koziol, Executive Assistant, kristin.koziol@ci.stpaul.mn.us
 Councilmember Privratsky (right) being sworn into office by City Clerk Shari Moore (left).
Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections
The City Council will vote on two pieces of legislation on May 7th: the first is an amendment to the City’s rent stabilization ordinance, and the second is a package of tenant protections. You can learn more about both in these in the staff presentations and community feedback that were given at the 4/9/25 City Council meeting: ORD 25-29, skip to the ~1:17:00 mark; and ORD 25-31, skip to the ~3:03:00 mark.
You can also learn more about both pieces of legislation at next week’s community conversation at Hancock Recreation Center (1610 Hubbard Ave, St. Paul MN 55104). Please join Councilmembers Cheniqua Johnson and Matt Privratsky and City staff members to hear brief presentations on rent stabilization and tenant protections and participate in a question and answer session. You can RSVP here. Registration not required but always appreciated.
If you can’t join us on 5/1, you can also share feedback with the Council during the public hearing period, which is open now until 5/7. You can email Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, mail your comments, or leave a voicemail at 651-266-6805. All information provided in the email or voicemail will be added to the public record.
Power of Home and Healthy Homes
The City Council passed guidelines for two programs, Power of Home and Healthy Homes, that will provide pre-weatherization and weatherization resources to promote energy efficiency for low-income homeowners. A presentation from this week’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) meeting has all of the details and discussion.
Commercial Corridors
Back in December, the City Council approved $1.4 million to be spread out over all seven wards to support economic development in key commercial corridors across the city. At the April 23rd council meeting, the Council approved the final program guidelines and gave it the green light.
The Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program (C-COAP) is a pilot with the purpose to assist geographically focused organizations in furthering economic development outcomes in identified commercial corridors in the city. This is a direct contracting program which will provide select business and community support organizations funding to design and implement programming and activities that drive positive economic development outcomes along the defined corridors. This program is only open to pre-selected organizations identified by the City. The identified organizations include District Councils and business support organizations with a history of executing community development, economic development, and business support programming along the defined geographies listed below.
The participating organizations and corresponding corridors in Ward 4 include:
Macalester Groveland Community Council, Snelling and Grand
Union Park District Council, Snelling and Selby
Hamline Midway Coalition, University and Snelling
2025 State of Our City
Mayor Carter delivered the 2025 State of Our City Address on April 21st at the brand new North End Community Center, lifting up housing growth and investments into the city’s downtown infrastructure. He also highlighted significant public safety progress, announcing a citywide summit to address fentanyl and the opioid crisis.
Watch Mayor Carter's state of our city address
Saint Anthony Park Library Closed through Mid-June
The Saint Anthony Park Library is temporarily closed now through mid-June, 2025, for needed repairs and maintenance to both entrances of the library building in order to ensure the library is accessible and welcoming to all library users.
The lower-level entrance does not meet accessibility standards due to the steep slope of the walkway. Additionally, water collects at the base of the walkway near the building and, at times, enters the building’s lower level. The stairs to the main entrance are in need of routine maintenance and repair.
While the library is temporarily closed, library users can visit any library in Saint Paul, including nearby Rondo Community and Merriam Park libraries. Starting April 7, Merriam Park Library will open at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Check out sppl.org for more information.
Starting March 24, 2025, Saint Anthony Park will no longer be an option to select when choosing a location to pick up your holds. Pick-up locations can be changed or holds suspended by logging into your account at sppl.org. Any items checked out before the library closed on April 7 will have their return date extended to June 30, 2025.
Funding for the project was provided by the City of Saint Paul’s Capital Improvement Budget.
Metro Mobility wants users, advocates for upcoming conversation
Metro Mobility customers and advocates are invited to participate in a gathering online or in person to provide input and engage in a conversation about Metro Mobility services. Accommodations will be made with advance notice - two weeks preferred. Register here.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 6:00 – 7:30pm, online
Thursday, May 29, 2025, 10:30 – 11:45am, in person
Kimball Court Construction Updates
Construction has started on the expansion at Kimball Court. You can follow along with updates here.
Neighborhood STAR Grants Open: The 2025 grant application for the City of Saint Paul’s Neighborhood STAR program is now open. Submit your online application no later than 4 p.m. Friday, May 2.
The Neighborhood STAR program funds capital projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods. To be eligible for a STAR grant, an applicant must:
- Be located in Saint Paul
- Make a capital improvement with an expected life of 7+ years
- Have a project that contributes to the prosperity, cultural diversity, and/or vitality of Saint Paul neighborhoods
Have questions? Review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) or reach out to the Neighborhood STAR team at PED-NeighborhoodStar@stpaul.gov.
New Ramsey County Environmental Center: Now open at 1700 Kent Street, Roseville 55113 with the following hours:
- Tuesday - Fridays: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturdays: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday and Monday - closed
Drop off household hazardous waste and electronics, household recycling and food scraps all in one place. There is also a re-use room where you can pick up free products like paint, cleaners, and more. It will host Fix-It Clinics and community workshops. Free for residents of Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott, and Washington counties. More information here.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid recommends consulting with an experienced attorney before filling out the new federal immigration registry form. You can learn more about the registry here. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid also MMLA has a free tax clinic that is open to all.
Spring Activities with Parks and Rec: Sign up for yoga, cribbage, kickball, arts & crafts, martial arts, cooking classes, book clubs, sports clinics, video game tournaments, dancing, movie nights, and more! Browse and register for spring activities.
Naloxone Training: Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is offering free naloxone training for Ramsey County community organizations and partners. Public Health staff will come to your location for the training session. Each person that attends training will receive a naloxone kit. Register here.
Housing Rental/Emergency Assistance: If you need help paying help for rent, mortgage, utilities or car repairs, contact Ramsey County Emergency Assistance at (651) 266-4884.
Small Business Owners: Make sure you’re signed up for the Small Business Newsletter to get the latest updates and available resources right to your inbox.
SPPD Western District: hosts monthly community meetings on the third Thursdays of the month at 9 AM and 6 PM at 389 Hamline Ave N.
Opportunities to engage with Interfaith Action Leadership: Learn about Project Home and other programs that will be housed at Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul's new home in the Como neighborhood! There will be ample time for Q and A as part of the presentations.
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Interfaith Action: Project Home Neighborhood Meeting (East Como) Thursday May 1, 7pm Saint Timothy Lutheran Church (1465 N Victoria St.)
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Interfaith Action: Project Home Neighborhood Meeting (Online) Monday May 5, 12pm (Link to join on May 5, 12pm) Passcode: 980254
- District 10 Como Community Meeting Wednesday May 7, 7pm, Hybrid via Zoom and @ 1224 Lexington Pkwy N This presentation/Q&A, within the regular D10 meeting agenda, will be a shorter format.
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Interfaith Action: Project Home Neighborhood Meeting (Hamline Midway) Tuesday May 13, 7pm Hamline Church (1514 Englewood)
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Interfaith Action is also planning on tabling at D10's Pick-Up and Party Saturday, May 17 4:30-6:30pm Orchard Rec Center
Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Information Session: Join Councilmembers Matt Privratsky and Cheniqua Johnson on Thursday, May 1 from 6:00-7:30 PM at Hancock Recreation Center (1610 Hubbard Ave, St. Paul MN 55104) to hear about rent stabilization and tenant protections legislation that the council is considering. City staff will also be present to help answer questions and provide more information. You can RSVP here. Registration is appreciated but not required.
D10 Pick Up & Party 2025: The Como Community Council's annual Pick Up & Party event is happening on Saturday, May 17. More information here.
Mighty Midway Festival: The Hamline Elementary Husky Pack, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, and the Hamline Midway Coalition's Environment Committee are co-hosting the Mighty Midway Festival on Saturday, May 17. More details here.
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