Thanks to Lehner Law Office and Minnesota Locks for their support.
City Council approved a resolution supporting tougher gun control and passed the preliminary 2026 budget and property tax levy a full percent lower than the initial baseline proposal.
Gun Control Resolution
Despite Mayor Dave Napier’s objections, the City Council passed a resolution that supports “efforts to strengthen background checks, require safe firearm storage, and ban the future sale and transfer of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.” The resolution also encourages residents to contact their state and federal legislators.
- Process: The resolution came up last-minute at the previous meeting with dueling drafts. Council wanted time to consider and asked staff to draft a third resolution.
- Limited power: State law preempts cities from passing any kind of gun control, which limits them to a resolution urging state and federal lawmakers to take action.
- Debate: Here’s some of what the Council members said about the issue (see video).
- Lisa Eng-Sarne: “There’s nothing more local than the response to gun violence. When a tragedy happens, who’s there first? It’s the fire fighters, it’s the police, it’s the people who work with the city that we all love and applaud every day. This is a local issue. I’m proud of us for asking a higher level of government for what we need at a local level.”
- Napier: “In no way do I want to make kids less safe. On my personal side, I want to scream and say what are we doing? We gotta to do something,” Napier said, before urging personal action instead of the resolution. “If we go outside of our lane, into politically charged topics, and weigh in our personal beliefs, what are we saying to the 20,000 residents behind us. We have to represent them.”
- Robyn Gulley: “Respectfully, I disagree with that sentiment. Passing a resolution with the strongest language possible is the best way for us to show our support to the state and to our legislators who can actually make a difference on this. … What we do to protect the most vulnerable people in our society and our community, that is who we are, that is how we show our values. By not doing anything about this, we are also showing our values. I don’t want to live in that world, I want to do something.”
- Comment: With about a dozen people in the audience, Napier did allow public comment. Three people spoke in support of the resolution.
- Vote: The Council unanimously passed the resolution. While Napier opposed the resolution, the mayor does not have a vote (except in rare cases).
2026 Budget
Council discussed budget priorities during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS) and then approved a preliminary 2026 budget and property tax levy.
- Process: Preliminary property tax increases are approved in September and then finalized in December when they can be lowered but not increased.
- Numbers: Despite initial conversations around a higher levy and property tax increase with a baseline increase of 8.64%, the city is looking at a 7.38% increase. That works out to $266 for a median value home ($322,534). Council approved an 8% maximum increase to give staff some wiggle room, though they expect 7.38% to be the final number in December.
- Variables: The lower tax increase is accomplished by keeping pool renovations to a bare minimum and not add anything extra.
Other Items on the Agenda
- 150 Thompson: The big item not discussed was the redevelopment of 150 Thompson. City staff planned to bring the tax increment financing (TIF) and purchase agreement forward, but they need more time. It will come back at the Oct. 14 meeting. Council did open a public hearing for two minor easements, but continued them to Oct. 14.
- Park planning: During OCWS, Council discussed multiple park projects, including the massive system plan, the Albert Park expansion and Officer Scott Patrick memorial, and the pool rehabilitation. The system plan will come back in October for final approval, while the plans for Albert Park and Officer Scott Patrick memorial and a contract for pool design were approved in the consent agenda.
- Marijuana: Council approved the first reading and held a public hearing for two marijuana related changes to comply with state law, one concerning cannabis retailers and the other with lower-potency hemp edibles. No one spoke during the public hearing.
- Staff recognition: Public works staff Cody Joos, Kwadwo Oduro, and summer intern Jacob Wheeler were recognized for going above and beyond in responding to residents during this summer’s road construction. Examples included responding to issues on the weekend and carrying groceries. They all received a gift card and the full-time employees were given an extra day of paid time off.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
We believe in government transparency and provide these West St. Paul City Council recaps with the support of our members.
