Legislation Details

File #: RES 26-1651    Version: 1
Type: Resolution Status: Mayor's Office
In control: City Council
Final action: 10/7/2026
Title: Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a Request for Proposals issued by the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
Sponsors: Rebecca Noecker

title

Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a Request for Proposals issued by the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

body

WHEREAS, Chapter 10 of the Saint Paul City Charter recognizes the City Council’s authority over the budget and spending of the City of Saint Paul; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 86 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code requires all contracts be authorized by the Saint Paul City Council; and

WHEREAS, Section 86.12 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code requires City Council approval prior to submission of grant applications; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has released a Request for Proposals for the FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program; and

WHEREAS, the Police Department has received similar awards from this formula-based grant program for several years, and will apply for $257,632; and

WHEREAS, the application submitted will be for the Police Department to fund overtime costs for community engagement and enforcement of serious crimes; and

WHEREAS, the Police Department will submit this application in collaboration with Ramsey County, which will receive a portion of the funds, per the grant’s requirements; and

WHEREAS, this grant, if awarded, does not include a matching requirement, and the Intent to Apply form has been approved by the Grants Office, and the City Attorney’s Office has been consulted to provide appropriate review and guidance; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, upon recommendation of the Mayor, that the Police Department may submit an application for funds under the Requests for Proposals issued by the USDOJ's FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

 

Date NameDistrictOpinionCommentAction
10/6/2026 11:21 PMAM Against This should be removed from the consent agenda and opened up for public comment. Applying for and/or accepting funds from the DOJ continues to be deeply concerning in the wake of Operation Metro Surge. CM Noecker's recent press release and media coverage suggest she is concerned about the DOJ interfering in our elections. Why would we allow the DOJ to provide funding to SPPD when we've already fail to protect the people of Saint Paul when we were under occupation by the Federal government?
10/6/2026 12:16 AM  Against
10/5/2026 11:44 PMKelsie Onyango Against I’m writing as a St Paul resident to implore you to reject this consent resolution to submit an Application for Funds. This resolution is very similar to one that was rejected in September. These grant funds can be used to pay for drones (including Skydio) and other surveillance tech. This is an unnecessary, harmful, privacy invasive tech. As a St Paul resident, I don’t want any Flock cameras, any other ALPRs, or any drone surveillance. Reject this proposal.
10/1/2026 11:58 PMLauren Allen Against The Council should deny the authorization to apply. Unacceptable. Ethically and morally, SPPD should not be asking this JoD for money or any other resources. The actions taken by JoD as led by Todd Blanche run strongly against the freedoms of the people and interests of the City of St. Paul. The Council at a minimum needs to mandate that any funds received are prohibited from use in UAS, drones, ALPR or A.I.-enabled surveillance, by SPPD and by Ramsey County within city limits. Act on RES 26-1421, which resolved that the city must invest in strategies to make neighborhoods safer without creating systems of m*** surveillance
10/1/2026 11:28 PMLauren Allen Against The Council should deny the authorization to apply. Any application was due to JustGrants on September 25, 2026, by 8:59 p.m. EST. So the Department applied without authorization, and is again seeking approval after the fact. Unacceptable. Ethically and morally, SPPD should not be asking this JoD for money or any other resources. The actions taken by JoD as led by Todd Blanche run strongly against the freedoms of the people and interests of the City of St. Paul. The Council at a minimum needs to state that any funds received are prohibited from use in UAV drone, ALPR or A.I.-enabled surveillance, by SPPD and by Ramsey County within city limits. Act on RES 26-1421, which resolved that the city must invest in strategies to make neighborhoods safer without creating systems of m*** surveillance. 1