The St. Paul Park City Council Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. in city hall, moving quickly through a sparse consent agenda and hearing from a resident in public comment who offered to purchase a flag …
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The St. Paul Park City Council Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. in city hall, moving quickly through a sparse consent agenda and hearing from a resident in public comment who offered to purchase a flag for the city flagpole at the levee. Council members then approved a slate of largely routine business items.
St. Paul Park resident Richard Burt addressed the council with two requests in public comment.
Burt first thanked Total Mechanical for relocating the city’s flagpole to the levee and praised the Lions Club for helping maintain the area.
“I got my merit badge down there in 1953, because I found some moss soaked in oil so I could start a fire,” he said. Burt said he was concerned there was no flag currently flying there and offered to personally pay for a replacement American flag.
“I would like to pay for the flag,” he told the council, adding that he would also support installing lighting at the site if needed.
Burt then shared his concerns regarding the city’s recent purchase of a Bobcat Toolcat, which he said cost $85,822. He questioned whether the machine was necessary and whether it represented the best use of taxpayer dollars.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be used for,” Burt said, saying there was a difference between needs and wants and describing the Toolcat as “just an oversized pickup truck with a little dump on the back.” He also urged the city to make sure it was using available government purchasing programs to secure the best possible price.
"Thank you council member Conrad for voting against it," Burt said, thanking Mayor Keith Franke and other council members for their time.
“Council members and Mayor Keith Franke, thank you for your time,” he said.
Franke thanked Burt for his comments and said staff would look into the flag issue.
Also from Monday was approval of the consent agenda, with approved items including the payment of bills for the period June 2 through June 16, 2026, approval of change order number 4 and pay voucher number 8 to Geislinger and Sons, Inc. for the Third Street Reconstruction Project. Also approved in consent was a grant award from Metropolitan Council in the amount of $68,000, professional services agreement with Rum River Consultants, special event permit for the Tractor Pull on Aug. 16, and approval of an application to conduct off-site gambling at Heritage Park on Aug. 15.
Closing Monday council were brief updates from council members. Council Member Jeff Haggerty said the Public Works Commission had met June 2, though he had not yet seen the meeting minutes.
“I haven’t seen the minutes yet,” Haggerty said. “So I assume the minutes will be coming next council meeting.”
He closed his update by saying that the next public works meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m, and noted that the commission still needs at least one additional member.
Council Member Jeff Swenson followed Haggerty, sharing that the Public Safety Commission met June 4 but without a quorum, preventing formal business from being was conducted. The next meeting is set for Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. in city hall.
Council Member Tim Conrad reported that the June 8 Planning Commission meeting had been was canceled, with the next meeting scheduled for Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Conrad reminded residents that weekly Heritage Days meat raffles are being held Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Park Place. He also promoted the weekly Wednesday car show at Vets Park and said Grandma’s Cookies is expected to make a return visit June 24 if weather cooperates. Conrad also thanked those who attended the Heritage Days silent auction at the American Legion, calling it a successful event with strong turnout.
Council Member Charlene Whitbred Hemmingson used her update to share that the community garden is doing well, with work underway to install a drip irrigation system. She also said a mural for Vets Park is moving through the approval process and is expected to come before the council in the near future.
Closing out council updates, Mayor Franke referenced ongoing public discussion about traffic congestion near the 70th Street overpass, saying he has shared updates on social media and that the city continues to work with local, state and federal partners on possible solutions.
“A lot of things are up in the air," he said. "We can’t make decisions until we known them.”
The council will not meet July 6 on account of the holiday, reconvening as usual later in the month.
St. Paul Park Council meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month in city hall. The public is welcome and invited to attend.
