TITLE
Establishing process for suspending City Council Rules of Procedure related to introducing immigration-related ordinances and resolutions.
BODY
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council is committed to transparency, procedural integrity, and public notice in the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, certain ordinances and resolutions related to federal immigration law may require timely consideration while maintaining adherence to legal requirements; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to notify the public that immigration-related ordinance first readings and resolutions may regularly be heard without proper notice by suspending the Council's Rules of Procedure, provided that all legal and procedural safeguards are followed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council establishes the following procedures for immigration-related legislative items:
1) Ordinances Related to Federal Immigration Law
a) Council Rules of Procedure may be suspended to consider the first reading of an ordinance not properly noticed if the file:
iI) Has been entered into the City's legislative management software, Legistar, and shared with all Councilmembers at least 24 hours in advance of the Council meeting; and
iii) Completes the necessary file approval sequence in Legistar, which requires approval from at least one attorney from the City Attorney's Office (in accordinance with Sec. 3.02 of the Administrative Code) and one councilmember.
b) In accordance with Sec. 6.05 of the City Charter, all ordinances shall require three readings before final passage.
c) In accordance with Sec. 6.11 of the City Charter, all ordinances shall become effective thirty (30) days after passage, approval and publication once in the official newspaper of the city unless a later date is specified therein.
2) Resolutions Related to Federal Immigration Law
a) Council Rules of Procedure may be suspended to consider a resolution if it is shared with all Councilmembers at least 24 hours in advance of the Council meeting.
3) Public Notice and Transparency
a) A recurring public hearing item on immigration-related concerns shall be placed on the agenda by the Council President, in accordance with standard public hearing rules, to provide the public an opportunity to comment.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council President, Vice President, and HRA Chair are authorized to oversee implementation of these procedures and ensure that all requirements for legal review, Council notice, and public transparency are met:
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the process outlined in this resolution will continue until May 31, 2026, unless further action is taken to extend the termination date of this resolution.