Title
Recognizing Councilmember Dai Thao’s 9 years of service to the Saint Paul City Council.
Body
WHEREAS, Councilmember Dai Thao won a special election in November 2013 with 1970 votes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thao made history in the City of Saint Paul by being the first person of Hmong-descent to serve on the City Council; and
WHEREAS, during Mr. Thao’s time on the Council he fought and pushed for progressive policies such as Earned Sick and Safe Time, Paid Parental Leave, Responsible Banking, $15 Minimum Wage, Tenant Protections, and removing police from the Civilian Review Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thao secured the most affordable housing for Ward 1 including projects such as Western-U Plaza, Selby-Milton-Victoria, BrownStone, Ain Dah Yung Center, Rice Street Flats, Twelve22, and Frogtown Crossroads; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thao secured the most resources to preserve affordable housing units in Ward 1 including Wilder Square, Skyline Towers, Jamestown, and Lonnie Adkins; and
WHEREAS, in addition to housing investments, Mr. Thao worked hard to streamline City processes to support businesses and economic development including the Open for Business initiative, the master plan at Snelling-Midway Redevelopment, Allianz Field, Commercial Vitality Zones; and
WHEREAS, having served since 2015 on the Saint Paul Port Authority, Mr. Thao championed youth workforce development in the EAB removal project, preserved industrial land to maximize the City’s tax base, and created several projects such as Treasure Island Center and Hillcrest development; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thao was also a strong champion for parks and parks services who led on the Parkland Dedication Ordinance, the creation of swimming pool vouchers for low-income youth, and the creation of Midway Peace Park, Frogtown Park and Farms, Frogtown Community Center, the General Vang Pao Athletics, and the Little Mekong Plaza; and now be it
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council recognizes Councilmember Dai Thao’s 9 years of service to the City Council; and be it finally
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council proclaims August 1, 2022 as Councilmember Dai Thao Day.