City of Saint Paul - Meeting of City Council on 9/30/2026 at 11:30 AM

Details

Meeting Name:

City Council

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

9/30/2026 11:30 AM

Minutes status:

Final

Meeting location:

Hearing Room 330

Published agenda:	Agenda Accessible Agenda	Published minutes:	Minutes Accessible Minutes
Agenda packet:	Not available

Meeting video:

Not available

Attachments:

Meeting Audio Recording

File #	Ver.	Agenda #	Type	Title	Action	Result	Action Details	Video
RES 26-1659	1	1	Resolution	Appointing the law firm of Fisher Phillips as Special Counsel for Purposes of Providing Legal Advice, Counsel, and Representation for the defense of Mayor Kaohly Her in the lawsuit captioned, Axel Henry v. Kaohly Her and City of St. Paul, Ramsey County District Court, State of Minnesota.	Adopted As Amended	Pass	Action details	Not available

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Date

Comment

Action

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9/30/2026 9:23 PM

Abby B

Against

I am opposed to St. Paul taxpayers footing the bill for legal representation for Mayor Her. It's one thing if the city is defending itself against an outside lawsuit. This is a lawsuit brought on by the Mayor's poor judgment on what is appropriate workplace behavior, to be generous. She made a choice to conduct herself in this way; we should not be paying for the consequences of this behavior, especially at a time when the city is trying to raise more revenue for basic city services. At the very least, she could use a public defender instead of a private law firm to reduce our costs.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 8:24 PM

Sarah Evans

Against

It comes down to ethics and common sense; The tax payers have had enough of these “elected” officials having neither. Shame on Mayor Her.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 6:45 PM

Kayla

Against

There comes a point in any career when basic professionalism should not need to be taught. If the Mayor has failed to meet that expectation, taxpayers should not be responsible for covering the cost of defending that conduct. At a time when residents are being warned about budget deficits and the prospect of yet another property tax increase, asking them to pay substantial legal fees tied to the Mayor's actions is a tough sell. The city should be focused on improving services and addressing community needs, not managing avoidable controversies. What makes this situation even more concerning is that Mayor Her is still in her first year in office. This is not the result of years of complacency; it is the performance residents are seeing at the very beginning of her tenure.

+3 1

9/30/2026 6:01 PM

Cal H.

Against

The Henry case exposes a system that protected the mayor instead of the city. Here's what needs to happen:Terminate City Attorney Kao. She was appointed by Mayor Her, she is now a fact witness in the lawsuit, and her office handled the investigation in a way that the plaintiff calls a "sanitized whitewash." She cannot be the person managing the city's legal response to a case where she's a witness. Hire a new City Attorney. Someone independent of Her's appointment, confirmed by this council. Retain a local firm - capped at $350/hr, limited scope, fixed timeline - to conduct an independent investigation of both Mayor Her and Kao. The full report gets released to the public. Settle with Henry promptly. Admit fault, cap the exposure, end the legal bleeding. A trial makes everything public anyway, at higher cost.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 6:01 PM

Ann

Against

City taxpayers should not have to pay the legal costs for the mayor's unprofessional behavior.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 5:30 PM

Matt Ehlert

Against

We should not be paying to cover the costs for the mayor, she should be doing this herself. Especially if its a historical union busting firm.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 5:19 PM

Drew

Against

Imagine the good that could be done by using these funds for the public. If our mayor requires public funds to defend her personal actions, she shouldn’t be our mayor.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 5:10 PM

Jeremy Ward

Against

St. Paul taxpayers should not be on the hook for subsidizing Mayor Her's legal representation. This city is already struggling enough with budgetary concerns; we literally can't afford to keep the lights on in parts of the city. To allocate budget toward defending the mayor's abhorrent behavior when citizens of this city already pay the highest taxes in the state is unconscionable. I firmly oppose taxpayers funding her defense.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 4:57 PM

Jeremy Stomberg

Against

Under no cir***stances should the city pay for the legal defense of any employee due to their personal behavior.

9/30/2026 4:56 PM

Anders B

Against

Truly disgusting to see a notorious anit-union law firm to even be considered to protect the mayor from her scandals. Anyone voting to approve this deserves to lose re-election.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 3:57 PM

Cody

Against

To even consider this is abhorrent. Just resign if it requires $500/hr help to keep someone in office. Sounds like the mayor cares about herself more than her constituents. Absolutely appalling.

9/30/2026 3:30 PM

Joshua Corner

Against

If the mayor can afford hiring a PR firm, she can afford to pay for her own legal representation. If the City Attorney cannot represent the Mayor due to a conflict of interest (including the possibility that the city will be arguing that the Mayor’s actions constitute malfeasance), that must be communicated to the public. Furthermore, I must express my profound disgust about the law firm that is being suggested here. Fisher Phillips specializes (quite proudly) in union-busting. My taxes being used to line the pockets of such an explicitly anti-worker law firm — while employing them to represent a mayor who has allegedly committed egregious har***ment of workers — would be utterly unconscionable. I urge the city council to deny this morally repugnant request. Thank you.

9/30/2026 3:25 PM

Briana

Against

While the brave residents of Saint Paul were busy protecting and standing up for our neighbors through mutual aid and ICE Patrol this winter, Mayor Kaoly Her was busy cultivating a toxic work environment at city hall. The way Mayor Her acted was inexcusable, and our taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund her personal legal defense. I further ask that the city council demand the release of the full report and call for Kaoly Her to resign.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 3:11 PM

Craig Wieber

Against

As a taxpayer who is looking at double digit percentage increase in their property taxes, I am absolutely against using public funds to pay for the mayor's conduct. She's a grown adult who doesn't understand what constitutes basic civil behavior in the workplace. Just because she's the mayor, why do taxpayers need to pay the bill for her inexcusable behavior? If she wants legal representation, she can hire a lawyer using her own money. The same should go for council members who can't follow the law or city policies. My taxes are already too high, and I want them to pay for the services I need, not legal settlements for politicians who can't follow the law.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:50 PM

Audrey

Against

Taxpayer dollars should not go towards the mayor's defense. Release the tax-payer funded investigative report into her actions. It's time for members of the City Council, business interests, and community leaders to start putting pressure on Her to resign. This is all beyond embarr***ing.

9/30/2026 2:44 PM

Lauren H

Against

It is very frustrating and disappointing to see that the citizens of the city are being asked to pay for a 500/hr law firm to defend the Mayor, and after having to pay for Council Member Bowie's poor behavior too. Our public dollars should be for public services. What a disappointment this council has been.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:36 PM

Steve

Against

This would be an inappropriate expenditure by the City. City employees should be covered if they make a mistake while actively performing their ***igned duties. No one asked Mayor Her to engage in her behavior; it is 100% possible to be Mayor and serve the city without being so inappropriate and toxic. So defending Her's actions should be her responsibility, not the city's. Do not allow city funds to defend Her's behavior.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:30 PM

M Rascoe

Against

The city must defend the mayor — I'm not contesting that. What I'm contesting is the price. $500/hour is a national-firm rate for multi-state matters. This is a single-plaintiff employment suit in Ramsey County. Local Twin Cities employment attorneys with 15+ years' experience in exactly this type of case bill $300–$375. The Council has the charter authority to control this. I ask you to: (1) require three firms to submit proposals with rates, (2) cap the rate at $350/hour, (3) approve in phases — $50,000 through the answer and discovery — with a Council vote to exceed it. The city is deferring street light repairs and closing libraries. In that same budget, $500/hour for a local employment case is a choice, not a necessity. I support a defense at a rate that reflects the actual local market, with a budget cap and competitive process. That protects the legal obligation and the taxpayers.

+5 -2

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:28 PM

Fern

Against

So many (expensive) problems in Saint Paul at the moment and this one is entirely caused by Mayor Her. I'm feeling generous and recommend giving her back the $20k she cut from her salary in lieu of the city paying her legal fees.

9/30/2026 2:22 PM

Ele P.

Against

As she behaved 'inappropriately' as Mayor, I understand this decision is inevitable. However, I must express my displeasure and opposition nonetheless. Given Saint Paul's already strained budget, with plans to remove public resources from less well to do areas; a fiasco from displacing an encampment, increasing risk and costs for intervention; and now this scandal, Saint Paul can ill afford to continue to bear the burden of these costs. She has shown that she is ill-equipped to lead the city and the wounds she has created in short order will echo for many years .If the mayor had any sense of responsibility, she would resign, and the council should consider strongly calling for such an action.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:19 PM

Mandy

Against

Taxpayer dollars should not be used for the mayor’s defense.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:09 PM

Matt B.

Against

It is wholly inappropriate for taxpayer funds to be used to pay for Mayor Her's private, union busting law firm to defend her. Mayor Her should resign, not only because of this, but for her entire tenure as mayor which has done nothing but be one debacle after another.

9/30/2026 2:05 PM

Lauren Erchul McCabe

Against

As a homeowner, I am strongly opposed to spending any of our precious city dollars on defending Her’s indefensible acts. Her needs to resign. The sick irony that she has been on a mission to save the city budget while costing us so much more monetarily and morality-wise disgusts me. I should not be left feeling disgusted by a mayor. Please call for Her to resign.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:05 PM

Daniel Wade

Against

The city's budget is already strained by the actual needs of our community, and with an extreme winter likely ahead of us because of unprecedented El Nino conditions, greater public works spending is likely to increase as well. Limiting the city's ability to fulfill its commitments and obligations in order to fund the Mayor's exceptionally poor judgment and lack of self-control would be a serious error at a time when we can least afford to make one.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:02 PM

Ben Ashley-Wurtmann

Against

I am strongly concerned by the distraction and waste of funds involved here. The mayor's own report called her behavior "offensive and inappropriate." While I recognize the level of inevitability here, it is galling to ask taxpayers to fund this, but not the east side library. This, but not a more effective homeless response. The priorities are completely backwards.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:02 PM

Joel Nelson

Against

This is a terrible use of the city's resources, especially during a time of financial hardship.

9/30/2026 1:55 PM

Dan Marshall

Against

As a homeowner and small business owner, I oppose spending the city's limited resources defending the indefensible behavior of our mayor.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 1:03 PM

Clarissa L

Against

It is in no way appropriate to pay Mayor Her's defense, even in the best of times, but especially now, when the residents of Saint Paul are experiencing historically high property tax rates at the same time we are facing stagnating wages and record inflation.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 12:22 PM

Sean D.

Against

Tax payers should not have to shoulder the burden of paying for the mayor’s defense. The actions of the mayor were already found to be inappropriate, at this point she should pay to defend her conduct personally.

+4 2

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 10:06 AM

Sam

Against

I do not support using taxpayer funds to hire an extremely expensive, out-of-state, union busting law firm to defend Mayor Her in the pending sexual har***ment lawsuit.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 5:09 AM

Heidi M.

Against

Absolutely not! Public dollars should not be redirected towards financing a personal defense. So many of our residents are in need of services. Moreover, at a minimum, Mayor Her created an uncomfortable and inappropriate work environment for employees that are dependent on sound and ethical leadership. Rebecca Noecker, please be a voice of the constituents you serve.

9/30/2026 3:52 AM

Caroline Daykin

Against

If this resolution is approved tomorrow St. Paul residents deserve a clear explanation of why our tax dollars are being used for Mayor Her's legal expenses. Under state law cities are only required to indemnify elected officials who 1) are performing the duties of the position and 2) not guilty of malfeasance in office, willful neglect of duty, or bad faith. If the council chooses to approve the resolution it should explain why it feels that Mayor Her meets these criteria. In addition, the council should explain how it is able to come to the conclusion that Mayor Her is eligible for indemnification when they have not had the opportunity to read the full internal investigation into Her's conduct.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 3:26 AM

Thomas Anderson

Against

I do not support using tax dollars to fund the legal defense of Mayor Her. MN State Statute 466.07 governs legal representation for municipal employees. This statute allows for taxpayer funding of officials when they are performing official duties AND not guilty of malfeasance in office, willful neglect of duty, or bad faith. 1. The lawsuit includes allegations that are disturbing and not part of the official duties of the Mayor's office. 2. The independent investigation has already established that Mayor Her engaged in "offensive and inappropriate behavior", which is indicative of malfeasance/acting in bad faith.

+5 -1

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 3:08 AM

Jason H

Against

Absolutely ridiculous for taxpayers to find this legal spectacle.

+4 1

9/30/2026 2:43 AM

Against

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:30 AM

Karen Allen

Against

I am writing as a citizen and ward 1 constituent - do not use city funds to pay Mayor Her’s legal fees. Do not hire an anti-union law firm. Release the full report. Call for Mayor Her to resent. The focus of our city government must return to the critical work of improving our city’s financial stability.

9/30/2026 2:28 AM

+5 3

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:22 AM

Katherine

Against

Using taxpayer money for this is inappropriate.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:16 AM

Maddie R.

Against

This is not what public tax dollars are for. Paying the legal fees for the personal conduct of an elected official who has acted egregiously is the responsibility of the person on trial and/or at fault and should not be a burden shouldered by the constituents. This is embarr***ing to the citizens of St. Paul and is a frankly horrifying proposition. Fund our libraries and public programs; don't fund the legal fees for someone who definitely acted inappropriately, whether or not this lawsuit is warranted. Strongly opposed.

+1 -1

9/30/2026 2:04 AM

Luisa J.

Against

Dear City Council, and moreover City Council President- Rebecca Noecker; My comment is to oppose tax dollars to pay for legal representation for Mayor Her. Public trust has been broken by bad behaviors. The mayor is facing significant allegations in which proofs and evidence of immature and unhinged conduct have already proven her incompetence. Credibility has been tarnished and there are stains of poor judgment, manipulation, and incompetence. Saint Paul residents are being held back from addressing the priorities of ensuring public safety, balancing the budget, and caring *in partnership with the county* to serve the residents and families who are suffering. Please do not squander the future and promise of Saint Paul. She should resign. You should not have endorsed her. Please do your job from where you are currently sitting. No tax dollars should go to the mayor’s defense. Find a pro bono firm as a good steward of the public dollar. Better yet—ask for her to resign!!

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 2:02 AM

Rachel W

Against

We absolutely should not be paying for the legal defense of the mayor in this situation. Strongly opposed

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 1:36 AM

M.W.

Against

9/30/2026 1:27 AM

Sarah

Against

I do not believe taxpayer dollars should be used to cover an elected official’s personal legal expenses. City funds should be focused on services and improvements that benefit residents. If the allegations involve personal conduct rather than official city duties, I believe the individual should be responsible for their own legal costs.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 1:27 AM

John C

Against

The City should not pay for legal expenses to represent and defend a Mayor who is accused of doing things that clearly are not a part of her duties as Mayor. The cost to defend her personal inappropriate behavior should not be a public expense.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 1:25 AM

Elizabeth

Against

It is absurd that we would even consider using taxpayer funds for Mayor Her’s legal defense. The Mayor’s inability to function in an appropriate manner should not take taxpayer funds away from city business or improvement.

9/30/2026 1:22 AM

Bryan Becker

Against

This is a disappointment that this is even an option. I am completely against it. My tax money should not go to an elected official defending their own bad and immature decisions in the workplace. The Mayor should face the consequences for her behavior just like anyone else would in the situation.

9/30/2026 12:58 AM

Tete

Against

How incredibly disappointing. We should not be funding this defense and Her should be called to resign. She has fallen through on her promises in general, and now allegations of se*ual har***ment. I do not want my tax payer dollars to fund this defense even if she is innocent which it appears she really is not. As a citizen of St. Paul, I am used to being disappointed with leadership but it is crucial we weed out these evident bad apples.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 12:55 AM

TJ L.

Against

There is no reasonable defense for Mayor Her’s inappropriate behavior and therefore no reason the city should use taxpayer dollars on her defense in any way, shape or form.

9/30/2026 12:27 AM

Cam

Against

Outrageous. This city can't afford lights on public streets or fixing bad roads but now we are supposed to fund the mayor's defense on charges of sexual misconduct? Absolutely not.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 12:25 AM

Against

Our tax dollars are meant to be used to improve the city and our quality of life. In no way does using our tax money to pay legal fees for the mayor’s personal misconduct in the workplace improve anyone’s quality of life. In fact, this entire scenario is an embarr***ment to the city and is already wasting man-hours and resources. The city council should be encouraging the mayor to resign, otherwise residents might start calling for their resignations too. Do better.

9/30/2026 12:20 AM

SBB

Against

The City should vigorously defend itself but should absolutely not accept responsibility for Mayor Her’s legal fees. Her systematic and inappropriate conduct is completely outside of her elected position. Abuse of power should not be sanctioned and paid for by the people of St. Paul.

RES 26-1659

9/30/2026 12:06 AM

Sarah

Against

It would be highly inappropriate for taxpayer money to be used to defend Her in this matter. I basically can’t afford to live in this city now—I’d like to think that my skyrocketing property taxes at least pay for something of value to city residents.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 11:59 PM

Austin

Against

This is ridiculous, the mayor can pay for her own lawyers. Waste of taxpayer money.

9/29/2026 11:50 PM

Nikki Dixon

Against

This is a personal matter between two public servants, and taxpayer’s money should NOT be involved.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 11:44 PM

A. J. M.

Against

I am against the use of taxpayer money for Mayor Her’s legal defense. Especially in a year of budget cuts to the City budget and asking homeowners to pay more property taxes - this is a completely inappropriate use of taxpayer money. I urge Mayor Her to do the right thing and resign from her position and cover her own legal expenses

9/29/2026 11:39 PM

Scott Dixon

Against

The citizens of St. Paul should not be on the hook for the Mayor’s legal fees in this situation. It would obviously be a much different story if the actions in question were the result of a policy decision, but this is obviously a personal matter and we should not be paying.

9/29/2026 10:13 PM

Martin L.

Against

The notion of holding the residents of St. Paul financially accountable for the inappropriate conduct of our mayor during austerity measures is concerning.

9/29/2026 9:16 PM

Amy G

Against

Why is the city council entertaining this? Why don't I hear ANY council member taking a stand and telling the mayor she needs to resign. How are we getting anything done in Saint Paul? I don't need more bureaucracy or fake outrage of "release the investigation." These pretty works from the city council has gotten us nowhere. We need our council members to tell the mayor she needs to resign--that's leadership. Instead...they want to talk and waste time on IF we should be funding the legal defense of Mayor Her. Not only should the council vote NO on this, they need to stop mincing words and get us back to sanity.

9/29/2026 9:16 PM

Amy G

Against

9/29/2026 7:30 PM

Daniel

Against

Addendum to my previous comment - Perhaps the rest of the council should follow councilwomen Molly and Sara's example and stop protecting people and demand the full release of the report. Not releasing is only helps further the appearance of the councils mendacity and that they are willing h to cover for the Mayor. You work for us. Not Mayor Her.

+5 -1

9/29/2026 7:24 PM

Lars Johnson

Against

This is a completely ridiculous farce and any city council member who supports the use of taxpayer dollars to defend Her should be voted out. Accountability is coming.

9/29/2026 4:40 PM

Christa Ernst

Against

It’s hard to believe the idea of wasting tax payers’ money to defend the mayor is even on the agenda. It is an outrage to consider forcing Saint Paul residents to foot the bill for Her’s offensive behavior. It adds insult to injury that the law firm being considered is anti-labor. We have a humanitarian crisis looming with the encampment sweeps, an affordability crisis and the continued effects from Metro Surge to deal with. My preference is for my local government not to seem indistinguishable from the federal government, and right now—it’s hard to see much difference.

+5 -1

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 2:47 PM

Jace L.

Against

The use of taxpayer money to fund the mayor's legal defense is completely unacceptable, especially during a budget deficit where the mayor is considering cuts to critical services and infrastructure. I hope the city council prioritizes their constituents over party loyalty in this decision.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 2:40 PM

Judith G

Against

I am outraged that this is even being considered. Saint Paul residents are being priced out of their homes by absurd property taxes, a library is being closed, and we're being told they won't fix street lights anymore because of budget shortfalls but we can somehow afford to pay for an expensive law firm known for being anti-union for Mayor Her's egregious behavior while in office? If she won't resign, a recall should be held because she's been an embarr***ment. I am not a fan of SPPD, but this behavior towards other city employees is reprehensible.

9/29/2026 2:19 PM

Michelle Hanlon

Against

Mayor Her's poor decisions should not be subsidized by the residents of Saint Paul. She has already been an embarr***ment and a distraction in her brief tenure as mayor. She should step down from the position, not have taxpayers fund her defense.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 2:11 PM

Robert S

Against

It's deeply insulting as a constituent that the city is even considering spending taxpayer money on the mayor's legal defense for her own personal behavior as budget issues force us to make cuts to services elsewhere. Do politicians really think they can just do whatever they want with public money? I hope City Council shuts down this motion unanimously.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 1:56 PM

Kevin Schneider

Against

While I believe that the city's existing counsel is completely inept for getting this complaint to this point, they've created this problem and should be solely in charge of fixing it. At any point in the previous 9 months, the mayor could have taken responsibility and ended the har***ment. Instead, she continued the behavior while the city's counsel sat on their hands. This is unbelievable, and I am against spending money on an expensive, high-powered law firm to defend this behavior. If any of us taxpayers had done any of the things outlined in the 73-page complaint at our jobs, we'd be fired immediately.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 1:45 PM

Philip M

Against

Public money should not be used for legal defense of an individual's alleged sexual misconduct. Additionally, I don't think the state should be hiring a notorious union-busting law firm under any cir***stance. Our tax dollars shouldn't be supporting this litigation or the proposed defense firm.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 11:48 AM

J.S.

Against

Tax payer money should not be used for legal defense. That is what professional insurance is for that is paid for privately.

9/29/2026 11:39 AM

Jess H

Against

I do not want my tax dollars going to support support the mayor who’s trying to just be one of the boys, and one in one of the boys got offended by the behavior. If I behaved unprofessionally, and I got sued because of it, that’s out of my own pocket, not my workplace’s. If the city pays the legal fees and the taxes go up next year, we know why. Too many legal fees, being paid out by the city.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 3:20 AM

Colin Turner

Against

I completely disagree with the use of public funds for legal defense of Mayor Her’s inappropriate behavior. That money is earmarked for the benefit of the people of St Paul.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 3:14 AM

Erik Vorhes

Against

Public funds should not be used to defend against sexual har***ment allegations.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 3:10 AM

E. Kosluchar

Against

It’s entirely inappropriate for a mayor to use city tax dollars for a legal defense of her har***ment case. Her duties as mayor are not why she is facing this suit; her behavior is. I work for another city, and you can bet they wouldn’t fund my legal defense if I was behaving toward my coworkers or people that I hold power over this way. Holding elected office does not make one special; it is added responsibility to the already existing duties of good citizenship.

9/29/2026 3:10 AM

John Slade

Against

Hiring a notorious anti-union firm? No thank you.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 3:06 AM

Geoff Stenrick

Against

As a St Paul resident of 25 years, I find it highly offensive that our Mayor would consider using tax payer funds to defend her outrageous and unprofessional behavior. If I or any of my coworkers acted this way at work we would have been terminated on the spot. Our city is struggling financially. The last thing we need is a personnel liability spending our city’s budget. Pay for this out of your own pocket or resign.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 2:51 AM

As a home owner who pays outrageous property taxes to a city that has told us they can’t even afford replace street lights for 2 years, I am very much opposed to tax dollars being used in this manner.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 2:14 AM

B. J.

Against

Its not the responsibility of the city to pay for their mayor's legal problems. With how much we are already taxed, especially in Saint Paul, and how little we get in return from said taxation, it would be reprehensible for our already limited funds to be used so callously.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 2:04 AM

A. Smith

Against

St. Paul is our state's capital and our tax money should go towards making it a better place.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 1:54 AM

Aaron K.

Against

This is absurd there is even a debate about having taxpayers fund a legal defense of an individual. The mayor can be responsible for her own actions.

9/29/2026 1:27 AM

Mar B

Against

Mayor Her is responsible for her conduct and ought to be independently financially responsible for her own legal fees. Absolutely reprehensible that the city would even consider spending our precious financial resources on her representation instead of things that benefit the community (put those dollars towards keeping Dayton's Bluff library open). Mayor Her can hire her own legal team paid out of her own pocket,. Don't make the residents of St Paul pay for this.

RES 26-1659

9/29/2026 12:03 AM

Elise

Against

We should not be supporting this in any way. The citizens of Saint Paul deserve better leadership and their tax dollars to be used to make the community we live in better. We should NOT fund the defense for the disgraceful pubescent actions of our Mayor. Let's get the adults and the accountability in the room for our city.

+6 -1

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 11:39 PM

Andrew Lee

Against

I am against using taxpayer funds for this purpose.

9/28/2026 11:32 PM

Dawn C

Against

That this is even being proposed is an insult to Saint Paul residents! It's inappropriate to spend a single dime of taxpayer money on legal counsel for this totally unprofessional behavior. The mayor needs to resign, or be removed.

9/28/2026 10:49 PM

Caroline Lubke

Against

Saint Paul citizens are being asked to shoulder enormous burdens in this budget deficit. Now we're supposed to use tax dollars for the Mayor's defense against har***ment charges? After we've already footed the bill for an investigation that the Mayor is refusing to release? While she may still be engaging in lawsuit-worthy actions *today* that we'll have to pay out for later? This is ridiculous and everyone knows it. If Mayor Her doesn't have the dignity to resign on her own, then the city council should be calling loud and long for that resignation, instead of releasing the occasional strongly-worded Facebook post and then deciding how much taxpayer money to provide for her defense. We can't even keep copper wiring in the lampposts, and we're wasting our time on this!

9/28/2026 10:16 PM

Erin Newton

Against

I enthusiastically supported Mayor Her and even volunteered for campaign. I emphatically cannot support paying for her defense with city funds. The Mayor's behavior has been boorish and inexcusable, not to mention the evidence against, while not meeting the threshold for criminal liability, has clearly been sufficiently ****ing that she should not serve out the rest of her term as our Mayor. It is in***bent on us, especially those that supported her, to insist on Mayor Her's resignation. The Council must not pay for her defense, and could not morally rationalize doing so even if the city was not so severely over-budget.

9/28/2026 10:09 PM

My property taxes have gone up almost 100% in the past eight years for no real services that benefit me or anyone else here. I absolutely DO NOT SUPPORT my tax dollars funding legal counsel for Mayor Her’s inappropriate actions.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 10:08 PM

S. Amey

Against

I read the entire legal do***ent filed on behalf of our police chief against Mayor Her, and was stunned by the highly credible and extremely serious allegations. Mayor Her needs to be removed from office for misconduct, not defended at taxpayer expense.

+17

9/28/2026 10:03 PM

Sarah

Against

It is SHOCKING to me that you would even consider forcing the tax payers of this city to pay for the mayor's abhorrent and grotesque behavior. If the mayor were a man, the mayor would have been instantly fired and canceled for the sexual har***ment she perpetrated against numerous city officials and subordinates and her inappropriate behavior, but she has been allowed to investigate herself and conclude that she did not do anything wrong. The mayor needs to do the right thing and resign immediately and save the hardworking taxpayers of St Paul the money and h***le. The mayor is an embarr***ment and she has made a mockery of this city and she needs to RESIGN NOW!

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 9:51 PM

Emilie Henthorne

Against

Do not allow tax payers to pay for Mayor Her's har***ment of city workers. Do not use Fisher Phillips. They are union busters and do not have the public's best interest in mind.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 9:41 PM

Cayla V.

Against

To ask taxpayers to foot the bill of Her's legal team regarding her sexual har***ment case is an absurd way to throw salt in the wound that her embarr***ing behavior continues to cause. What a dire misuse of taxpayer's dollars. She is the one who made awful choices with her behavior, she is the one who has to pay for it. Why should we do her a favor as constituents when she has done nothing but embarr*** this city? She should resign or be removed from office and keep her perverted fingers and memes away from our hard earned money.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 8:44 PM

Jacqueline Colt

Against

As a homeowner and taxpayer in Saint Paul, I am strongly against using further taxpayer dollars to fund Mayor Her’s defense or legal counsel in regards to any sexual har***ment or misconduct that she is being accused of. Those tax payer dollars would be better spent on fixing our dark streets, keeping a rec center open in a low-income part of Saint Paul, expanding library services, servicing or expanding public transportation, or providing resources to unhoused individuals and families.

9/28/2026 8:41 PM

Rebecca Homard

Against

I am wholeheartedly against using city funds to pay for the defense of Mayor Her in this suit. Her actions (not in official responsibilities), her funds.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 7:49 PM

Alan Richardson Hohn

Against

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 7:39 PM

H. Vang

Against

As a home owner and tax payer I do not support my taxes being used for the legal defense for the unprofessional conduct of Mayor Khaoly Her.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 7:33 PM

Matthew L

Against

The legal and financial consequences of Mayor Her's personal conduct are not the public's responsibility. The mayor and any city council members invested in her legal defense can pay for it from their own salaries, which are already derived from public funds. Otherwise, they have the reach and resources to perform fundraising, which the average Saint Paul resident does not. Mayor Her must expect to recover her legal fees since she will not be found liable. If she is found liable, she should resign to protect the city and the administration from further damage and embarr***ment. A vote against is a vote of confidence for the mayor. A vote against is a vote for the residents of Saint Paul.

+11

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 7:24 PM

Gabriel Karsh

Against

I do not see how it is in the interest of the city or its taxpayers to spend resources defending such obviously inappropriate conduct from the mayor.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 7:05 PM

Andrew LB

Against

Absolutely not! Taxpayers should not be on the hook for public official misconduct.

9/28/2026 7:01 PM

Against

I am completely opposed to the use of taxpayer funds to defend mayor Her’s misconduct. The accusations fall well outside the scope of her job duties as mayor and the residents of St. Paul should not be forced to shoulder responsibility and accountability for Her’s bad behavior. The city of St. Paul deserves better.

9/28/2026 6:51 PM

Megan H.

Against

I am against using taxpayer money to pay for Mayor Her's legal fees. Although I did not vote for Her, I am a strong supporter of the democratic party, and as such, I believe that regardless which party an elected official represents, when actions such as these are exhibited, the official ought to be held fully responsible. Mayor Her ought to pay her dues out of her own pocket.

RES 26-1659

9/28/2026 6:31 PM

Jess Corner

Against

I object strongly to the appointment of Fisher Phillips to represent Mayor Her, as both the expense and anti-worker sentiment of the proposed counsel is to the detriment of St. Paul residents and taxpayers. Proposed cuts to rec centers, libraries and pushing sweeps rather than housing-first approaches is extra appalling when the relatively minor sums that could benefit residents are denied and spent on legal fees instead.

Meeting Details