July 14, 2026
City Council Highlights
City Council Highlights – July 28, 2026
All Councilmembers were in attendance.
The City Council unanimously passed 14 Consent Agenda items.
This regular City Council meeting began with one public hearing to Introduce Ordinance #26-13 Amending Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges for Hydrant Meter Rental Program. Prior to construction of the Water Treatment Plant, contractors were only allowed to purchase water from the city at two water fill stations due to significant concentrations of iron and manganese in the City’s water supply system. With the completion of the Water Treatment Plant, staff support allowing contractors to obtain water for their various construction needs through fire hydrants. Council approved the introduction; the case will come back for a second reading at a future meeting.
Council Business included six cases.
The first case was to Adopt Resolution #26-174 Accepting Donation of a Community Art Resource. The acceptance of the donation of a Community Art Plan was recommended by the Park & Recreation Commission on January 9th, 2025, and discussed by City Council at work session on February 11th, 2025, and June 23, 2026—with the consensus of the Council welcoming the Community Art Resource as a valuable tool in planning for place-making and beautification in the public realm into the future. Council approved the resolution.
The next case was to Adopt Ordinance #26-12 Code Amendment Pertaining to Outdoor Storage Performance Standards in the I-1 Zoning District. The proposed ordinance updates the required acreage for outdoor storage for the I-1 Zoning District from 5 acres to 1 acre. When the Zoning Code was rewritten in 2023, a decision was made to include a 5-acre minimum lot area for properties in the I-1 Light Industrial district to have limited outdoor storage. Staff is comfortable reducing the acreage to allow I-1 properties to have screened outdoor storage, while remaining proportional to the building footprint. Council adopted the Ordinance with a vote of 6 to 1.
The third case was to Adopt Resolution #26-165 Approving Conditional Use Permits for Outdoor Storage and Multiple Principal Structures on One Lot at 14485 Azurite St. NW - Wildlife Research. Wildlife Research has been growing and would like to expand at their current location. The proposed expansion includes the existing building and construction of a detached warehouse building. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
The next case was to Introduce Ordinance #26-15 Amending Chapter 22 - Fire Prevention and Protection. This ordinance amends Chapter 22, Fire Prevention and Protection, of the Ramsey City Code to adopt the current Minnesota State Fire Code as adopted by the State of Minnesota. Updating the ordinance ensures the City Code remains consistent with current Minnesota law and the standards enforced by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal. Council approved the introduction; the case will come back for a second reading at a future meeting.
The fifth case was to Adopt Resolution #26-163 Approving Plans and Agreements with Connexus Energy for COR Street Lighting Improvements, Improvement Project #25-12. The plans provided by Connexus Energy include a total of 47 street lights and 16 pedestrian facility lights. The proposed design primarily provides street lights at intersections to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians navigating intersections, as well as at mid-block pedestrian crosswalks. On July 21, 2026, the Public Works Committee unanimously recommended City Council approval of Plans and Agreements with Connexus Energy for COR Street Lighting Improvements. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
The final case was to Adopt Ordinance #26-14 Authorizing Salary Increase for Mayor and City Council. The last increase for the Mayor and City Council occurred in 2005. The proposed ordinance would increase the annual City Council salary from $6,000 to $10,000 and the Mayor’s salary from $8,000 to $12,000. State law requires any increase to City Council pay to take effect following the next election. Council adopted the Ordinance with a vote of 5 to 2. This ordinance would take effect January 1, 2027.
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