Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, St. Paul City Council Ward 2

06/19/2026

It's time to reconnect the Skyways.

After months of partnership and advocacy, we're moving forward with plans to reopen key Skyway connections through the Alliance Bank Building, Central Station, and the Saint Paul Athletic Club.

Downtown works best when it's connected. This is an important step toward restoring a vital link for residents, workers, businesses, and visitors.

Thank you to everyone who helped move this forward.

More soon.

06/18/2026

Yesterday, the Saint Paul City Council unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Juneteenth as a celebration of Black freedom, liberation, and resilience.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day to celebrate freedom, honor the resilience of Black communities, and reflect on the ongoing work of building a more just and equitable society.

Here in Saint Paul, that reflection requires us to acknowledge our own history, including the lasting impacts of redlining, racial covenants, and the destruction of the Rondo neighborhood through the construction of I-94. Understanding that history helps guide our responsibility to advance policies and investments that expand opportunity and remove barriers for future generations.

I'm also grateful for the opportunity to recognize organizations like 30,000 Feet, the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant, and Life-Skills Workshops, whose work empowers Black youth and families through leadership development, mentorship, education, and cultural pride.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, I encourage everyone to take time to learn its history, support Black-owned businesses and community organizations, celebrate Black culture and achievement, and reflect on the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice, and belonging for all.

Happy Juneteenth, Saint Paul.

06/17/2026

Trees deserve a seat at the table before construction begins. 🌳

This past Monday evening, I spoke with the Dayton's Bluff Community Council about the Tree Preservation Ordinance coming back to the City Council on June 24.

Standing at 7th & Arcade, there's no better example of how construction projects can impact not only our streets, businesses, and neighborhoods, but also the mature trees that help define them.

For the first time, Saint Paul is considering an ordinance that would bring tree preservation into project planning earlier - giving trees a voice before decisions are made, helping preserve them whenever possible, and ensuring replacement when removal is necessary.

This ordinance is the result of more than a year of work alongside residents, tree advocates, developers, engineers, city staff, and our Tree Preservation Ordinance Public Input Group.

Now, we want to hear from you.

Please follow the conversation, attend the public hearing, and share your feedback as we consider this important investment in Saint Paul's urban forest.

06/17/2026

How should Saint Paul respond to residents' needs and improve city services?

Join the office of Mayor Kaohly Her and members of the Saint Paul City Council (including Council President Noecker) on Monday, June 22, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at Sun Ray Library for a community conversation about the city's budget and priorities. This discussion will focus on how we can strengthen the city's responsiveness to constituent needs and ensure residents have a voice in shaping Saint Paul's future.

The city's budget is one of the most important tools we have for delivering services and investing in our neighborhoods. I hope you'll join us to learn more, share your ideas, and help inform the decisions ahead.

RSVP is encouraged: https://forms.office.com/g/5TVtE2s6Jt

Learn more about the City Budget Engagement process: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/mayors-office/city-budget-engagement

The City of Saint Paul has a budget of almost $1 billion a year. How we raise and spend that money shows what our community values. By coming to a public budget meeting, you and your neighbors can help create the City’s next budget.

06/16/2026

Local government works best when people can see it, understand it, and engage with it.

That's why I'm excited that Saint Paul City Council meetings are now streaming live on YouTube. Residents can watch meetings in real time, catch up on recordings later, and stay connected to the decisions that shape our city.

More access. More transparency. More opportunities to participate.

Subscribe and follow along at youtube.com/stpaulgov.

We’ve got exciting news to share!

Saint Paul City Council meetings are now streaming live on YouTube! You can watch from any device at youtube.com/stpaulgov — live on Wednesday meeting days or on demand any time after.

This is an additional option to make it easier to follow what’s happening with city government.

For official agendas, minutes, and meeting documents, visit the City’s Legistar page at stpaul.legistar.com.

06/16/2026

Downtown Saint Paul is seeing a lot of activity right now. From new investments and redevelopment projects to public safety initiatives, events, parks improvements, and community-led efforts to make downtown a place where people want to live, work, visit, and spend time.

Want to hear the latest updates and ask questions directly to the people doing the work?

Join us for the next Downtown Action Series meeting on Thursday, June 18 from 4:30–6:00 PM at Union Depot.

We'll hear brief updates from city, county, state, nonprofit, and community partners, followed by small-group conversations where attendees can connect directly with speakers, share feedback, and discuss what's working and what still needs attention.

The Downtown Action Series was created to keep our community informed, create accountability around downtown revitalization efforts, and provide meaningful opportunities for residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of downtown.

📅 Thursday, June 18
🕟 4:30–6:00 PM
📍 Union Depot (214 4th St E)

No RSVP required. We hope you'll join us, and feel free to invite a friend or neighbor who cares about downtown Saint Paul!

06/15/2026

On June 10, the Saint Paul City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-946, honoring the lives and legacy of Mark Hortman, Melissa Hortman, and Gilbert Hortman.

The resolution recognizes June 14, 2026, as Mark, Melissa, and Gilbert Hortman Day in Saint Paul and reflects on their lasting impact on Minnesota through decades of public service, leadership, and commitment to community.

I want to recognize what Senator Erin Murphy shared in her remarks about Speaker Hortman, “may her memory be a blessing.” That traditional expression has stayed with me. Over the past year, I have been struck by just how true that is, how often people speak about what they learned from Melissa Hortman, what they carry forward, and the work that continues because of her example.

Her leadership, and the work she and Mark devoted themselves to, continue to shape how we serve and how we think about public service.

It feels especially fitting that we adopted this resolution in the very place where that work continues every day, often quietly without headlines, but with real impact for the people we represent.

I hope Melissa, Mark, and Gilbert would be proud of the work being done here in their memory.

06/15/2026

📬 Our latest newsletter is out!

We’ve got a full roundup of what’s happening in Ward 2 and across Saint Paul, including community updates, upcoming events, and ways to stay connected and involved in the work happening in our neighborhoods.

From local projects and public meetings to resources and opportunities to engage, it’s all in one place to help keep you informed and plugged in.

Take a look and stay in the loop 👉

As always, thank you for being part of this community and for staying engaged in shaping our city together.

06/15/2026

📣 Join us for our next Community Conversations gathering this afternoon! These informal meet-ups are a chance to share ideas, ask questions, and raise concerns in a relaxed, welcoming setting. All are welcome to stop by, connect with neighbors, and talk about what’s on your mind.

📅 TODAY - Monday, June 15
🕔 5:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Burger Dive on Bay Street (731 Randolph Ave)

No formal agenda: just conversation, connection, and community.

Hope to see you later!

06/10/2026

Big news for St. Paul’s West Side.

The Saint Paul City Council has accepted a $777,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council to expand Safe Routes to Schools and make it easier and safer for kids to walk and bike to school.

This investment will improve six locations across the West Side, including the corner of George and Humboldt. New curb bump-outs will help shorten crossing distances and improve visibility so kids can get across the street more safely. Near Parque Castillo and El Rio, we’ll also be adding a raised crosswalk to better support families moving through the area every day.

Across all six sites, these changes are designed to slow traffic, improve safety, and strengthen connections between home, school, and neighborhood.

Safer streets mean more kids walking and biking, more active transportation, and healthier communities for everyone!