2021 State of the City Address from Mayor Dave Napier

Thanks to Southview Garden Center for their support.

West St. Paul Mayor Dave Napier delivered an online State of the City address today giving an update on where the city is at on a number of fronts.

“People want to be a part of a community moving forward and we’re doing it,” Napier said.

You can watch the State of the City address on Town Square TV or social media.

State of the City Highlights

Here are a few highlights of things Mayor Napier touched on:

• COVID-19: Napier thanked our frontline workers and businesses who struggled through the pandemic.
• Public safety: West St. Paul has nationally recognized programs, including the ground-breaking PAR 360 mental health program with South Metro Fire. Outreach events are the best way for police officers to get to know the community, and those didn’t happen much in 2020, but look for them to start up again this year.
• Road construction: We’re able to keep improving our roads despite debt from Robert Street thanks to the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2018. That should generate $26 million over 20 years.
• Parks: Improvements are coming to Emerson Park (new playground and pickleball) and Marthaler Park (improved trails, restrooms, new playground, fishing pier, etc.). Mayor Napier invited residents to check out the improvements at the Sports Complex. Also look for Movies in the Park to return this year. (The video also showed the sculpture installation at the Art Park.)
• Sewer: West St. Paul has a lot of aging sewer infrastructure, but we did receive $2.3 million from the state to help out with that effort.
• Development: There’s a development boom happening up and down Robert Street and Mayor Napier outlined some of the projects happening (here’s a full list of development projects in West St. Paul). Fun fact: Napier worked at the former Perkins as a bus boy.
• Schools: Mayor Napier highlighted the upgrades and improvements happening at local schools thanks to voters for approving that levy.
• Strategic initiatives: Finally, Mayor Napier highlighted the City Council’s strategic plan. Among other things, he noted the plan to be debt-free in 10 years and hinted that virtual town halls might be the way to go in the future.

In closing, Mayor Napier introduced new City Manager Nate Burkett, thanked everyone for getting the city where it is today, and invited community participation. With the virtual format he didn’t take questions, but invited residents to email him any time.

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