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Exercising the City's Authority to Opt-in to, and Support, the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority (“EDA”). (Laid over from May 27, 2026)
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WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Ramsey County (“County”), the Board of the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (“St. Paul HRA”) and the Saint Paul City Council (“City”), hereinafter referred to as “the Parties” consider small businesses to be the backbone of stability and growth for their respective local government and municipality; and
WHEREAS, the Parties also consider continued investment in small businesses as critical for sustaining stability and growth in their respective local government and municipality; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec. 383A.151 and 383A.152 the County sought special legislation from the State Legislature that expanded the eligible uses of the County’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (“County HRA”); and
WHEREAS, the special legislation, often referred to as the EDA Bill (Bill), expanded the use of County HRA Levy funding to include entrepreneurship and business programming and necessitated the creation of the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority (EDA); and
WHEREAS, the EDA Bill was approved by the Legislature in 2025; and
WHEREAS, the EDA Bill contained two provisions, (1) the EDA would not have tax levy authority and (2) Cities within the County’s HRA Area of Operation would be required to ‘Opt In’ to business programming by the EDA; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul maintains the right to withdrawal from the business programming, pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec. 469.1082, subd. 5.
WHEREAS, pursuant to state statute, projects funded with County HRA levy will continue to require consent by the City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Resolution B2025-229 dated December 2, 2025, and to filing with the Secretary of State a Certificate of Approval of Special Law By Governing Body (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, 645.02 and 645.021) December 16, 2025, as Document No. 20254239, the County has legally established an EDA through which the above-referenced funds and programs supporting small business in the City may flow; and
WHEREAS, the City and St. Paul HRA supports the County in promoting growth and sustainability for small businesses within its jurisdiction and therefore supports, and wishes to avail itself of, funding and programs made available by the County’s EDA and deems it a positive mechanism for doing so; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul affirmatively “Opts-In” as a participant in the County’s EDA Area of Operation, and supports the County in its EDA use, funding and programs established, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul commits to collaboration with the County and the processes necessary for implementing the County’s EDA programs as an integral part and shared goal of supporting and sustaining entrepreneurs and local small businesses; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul, through its Housing and Redevelopment Authority, shall annually approve a spending plan for all EDA dollars to be spent within the City prior to any funds being disbursed or spent.