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The presence of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in West St. Paul became the focus of the City Council meeting with about a dozen people speaking during the comment period about ICE. The actual Council business included a treatment recovery center, parking restrictions for boats and trailers, and organizational business.
Citizens Respond to ICE
More than any official business, the citizen comments drew the most attention. Roughly 40 people packed the Council chambers with about a dozen speaking during the comment period in response to the presence of ICE agents in the city.
- Complaints: The comments were unanimously opposed to ICE. Residents told stories of businesses closing, neighbors scared to leave their houses, parents afraid to send their kids to school, aggressive ICE agents, and more. They also talked about neighbors stepping up to help, delivering groceries, watching bus stops, and more. Multiple residents asked for the local police to step in and stop what they described as illegal behavior from ICE agents, including aggressive driving, tinted windows, no license plates, and illegal search and seizure.
- Response: Every Council member, from Junior Member Elise Moga to Mayor Dave Napier offered help and resources. Multiple members wanted ICE out of the city, but didn’t have specific action they could take. Several Council members shared their phone numbers and asked for people to reach out (contact info for all Council members is on the city website).
- Mayor Dave Napier: “It’s a big challenge for the police force when you’re up against federal [agents]. … If I go out on street corners and start screaming at the cameras, I guarantee you they’re going to double down and be a lot tougher out here. … I’m going to fight for you guys. This is not right, we can do better as a whole country. … I really want you to protest, let your voice be heard, but try to be safe.”
- Pat Armon: “In the midst of all this chaos, we still need to be meet basic needs,” he said, pointing people to organizations that have capacity to help, including Augustana Lutheran Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
- Robyn Gulley: “We are in absolutely unprecedented times, and we have to take it as seriously as possible. … Connect with the volunteers who are doing this work. We have thousands of community members who are out doing patrols every day, bringing food to neighbors, making sure that people are safe, making sure that kids are getting on the bus safely. And we need 10 times as many people as we have doing this work.”
- Lisa Eng-Sarne: “I thought by the time everyone finished speaking I’d have some magic words to make everyone feel better, I don’t. I’m mad too. I’m looking into all your eyes and everyone is hurt and scared and mad, and worried about their neighbors and worried about what the hell we’re going to do. … If I could offer anything, I would ask that everyone in this room remain committed to nonviolence as you can, as you help your neighbors, as you show up in the Lowe’s parking lot where our federal government is checking passports of United States citizens, which is completely unacceptable.”
- Doug Fromm: ” I want ICE out of West St. Paul. … What they’re doing is unconscionable and they need to go. I do want to say I’m super proud of our community. I’m inspired by those who are working hard to ensure all of our residents—in particular, some of our most vulnerable folks—are kept as safe as possible. … I want to say to our immigrant neighbors, you are a valued part of the community. Please reach out. … These are unprecedented times and we’re willing to take unprecedented action.”
- John Justen: “The day Rene Nicole Good was murdered was a dark day for Minnesota, and another dark day for South Minneapolis. But I also need to remind us all that our Latino, Somali, and immigrant communities have had scary, unprecedented times since December. … There is a ton of work going on but it’s not always visible, it can’t always be visible. We may have to work with our heads down, but I do that to protect our residents.”
- Wendy Berry: “I would love nothing more than for ICE to get out of West St. Paul and never return. I’d gladly escort them out. We have to keep showing up for each other, even though that’s not the world we thought we’d be living in in 2026, where we have to secretly go get someone groceries and drop it on their back porch.”
Nova Recovery Center
Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow a medical office at 33 Wentworth Avenue East for Nova Recovery Center.
- What: Nova Recovery Center is an outpatient substance use disorder treatment facility licensed and regulated by the state. They offer client assessment, individual and group counseling, as well as education and case management. There will be no detoxification, medical treatment, overnight stays, or residential programming at the site.
- Review: The Planning Committee consider the CUP last month, approving it unanimously. No one spoke during the public hearing.
Parking Restrictions
With an increase in boats, utility trailers, and travel campers parked on city streets, Council discussed the potential of parking regulations during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS). Most members seemed supportive and were looking at aligning it with vehicle restrictions, which are limited to 48 hours. However, there will likely not be an exemption for parking in front of or next to a home where the vehicle is registered. Staff will bring back a formal proposal at a future meeting.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Bond sale: Council approved a bond sale for the 150 Thompson project. This is primarily a cash flow issue with previous bonds coming due just before closing on the sale of the property.
- Parks: Council formally approved the 2025 Parks System Plan.
- Rules: Council discussed and approved their rules and code of ethics. Multiple tweaks and clarifications, but the biggest change is limiting the number of times a member can appear remotely.
- Organizational business: Council also conducted standard, beginning of the year business, including approving a mayor pro tem (Wendy Berry) and appointing Council members as liaisons to committees. No major changes, though for the Environmental Committee, Lisa Eng-Sarne and Robyn Gulley swap primary and alternate roles with Eng-Sarne now being the primary liaison.
- Boards and commissions: During OCWS, Council discussed a draft policy for members of boards and commissions. The draft primarily clarifies roles and the process will heavily rely on the input of board and commission members. It will next go to boards and commissions for their input.
- Policies: Also during OCWS, Council discussed updates to the administrative code and personnel policy. The administrative code changes mainly codify existing practice and the personnel policy changes primarily add language for the new state paid family and medical leave.
- Bylaws: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a minor update to their bylaws.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online. You can also watch a video recap from Council Member Robyn Gulley and John Justen.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
We again had to hire a contributor to cover the ISD 197 School Board meeting happening on the same night as the Council meeting. We make local news freely available, but it’s not free. Join now to support local news and keep your community informed.