Saint Paul Proposes Charter Amendment to Implement Administrative Citations

SAINT PAUL - Today, the City of Saint Paul advanced a resolution to amend Chapter 6.03 of the City Charter. The amendment would implement administrative citations as a tool for the city to address ordinance violations as a tool for code compliance and enforcement.

Currently, the city's enforcement options are limited. Administrative citations for issues like property negligence and wage theft offer a timely, appropriate alternative while reducing negative impacts on residents over the use of criminal citations.

"Administrative citations offer a flexible tool to address code violations sooner, while reducing reliance on criminal penalties," said Mayor Melvin Carter. "This measure would enhance compliance in a way that prioritizes education and accountability, aligning with our vision for a more just and responsive city government."

Administrative citations would allow Saint Paul to align with best practices seen in comparable cities to meet compliance. This mechanism would also include a fair, transparent system, allowing violators an opportunity for an appeal process.

"Saint Paul residents deserve the city on their side in every way they need it - from dealing with our largest problem landlords who neglect both commercial and residential properties, to taking on employers who exploit their workers," said Council President Mitra Jalali. "This charter change will grant Saint Paul the authority to use administrative citations, a common civil tool that local governments nationwide regularly use, to even better serve our residents.I appreciate our Charter Commission's attention to this request so we can uphold equity in our capital city, and I'm proud to stand with all seven of my colleagues in advancing this proposal forward for their review."

TheCity Council is requesting the Charter Commission make recommendations within 60 days. If advanced to the Council by the Charter Commission, a unanimous vote of the Council is required to establish this change to the charter. The City Council must also establish an appeals hearing procedure and specify which ordinances will use administrative citations.

Councilmember Saura Jost said, "Administrative citations will provide an important middle ground for how we enforce our laws, and it will allow our city to resolve violations of ordinance that disrupt and harm our community in a way that appropriately matches the context of the situation."

"I was elated for an opportunity to co-lead on this resolution with my colleague Councilmember Jost," said Council Vice President HwaJeongKim. "Having personally led the creation and passage of the conversion therapy ban, the ability to issue administrative fines means that we can enforce this important ordinance and others like Earned Sick & Safe Time and the City's minimum wage."

"Administrative citations equip the city to protect residents from predatory practices by enforcing our ordinances through a fair civil process. Without the authority to uphold these laws, our community is left vulnerable, bearing the burden of slumlords, wage theft, and other harmful behaviors. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on an equitable solution that ensures we can hold bad actors accountable and provide residents with the protections they deserve," said Councilmember Anika Bowie.

"The City needs a tool for when big corporate entities or out-of-state real estate interests fail to follow our laws, whether it's locking their skyway doors and stranding people on their way home, letting vacant land accumulate weeds and trash, or refusing to pay their employees wages they've earned," said Councilmember Rebecca Noecker. "Administrative citations will allow us to assess fines on those who break the law and escalate those finesso they truly incentivize the right behavior."

Councilmember Nelsie Yang said, "We often talk about how to breaksystems that are not made for equity and inclusion. Today I am thrilled we followed through on that by implementing and developing a fair and effective tool to address administrative citations."

"Saint Paul City Council and our city's administration are working on advancing crucial policies with wage theft being a key focus," said Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson."An ordinance is in the works to empower the city to combat wage theft among vulnerable residents. However, having effective tools for enforcement is essential to ensure compliance without compromising what individuals are rightfully owned. Enforcing administrative citations in such scenarios will play a vital role in safeguarding workers' rights."

The resolution passed unanimously, calling for administrative citations to provide a flexible and timely alternative for addressing ordinance violations and enhancing code compliance while prioritizing education and accountability for residents.

###