Mayor Carter in winter in front of cathedral
Mayor Carter in winter in front of cathedral

Mayor Melvin Carter

Melvin Carter is the 46th, and first African-American mayor of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Capital City.

A fifth-generation Saint Paul resident, Mayor Carter leads with an unapologetic equity agenda. Since taking office in 2018, his accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage to $15/hour; tripling free programs in rec centers; eliminating late fines in public libraries; reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; expanding immigrant & refugee support resources, and launching an Office of Financial Empowerment. One signature initiative is CollegeBound Saint Paul, Mayor Carter’s plan to start every child born in the city with a $50 College Savings Account, starting January 1, 2020.

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The

City Council

As the legislative body, the City Council is responsible for setting City policy through ordinances and resolutions. The Council also has sole responsibility for adopting the City’s budget. The Council legislates by passing Ordinances which become City laws. The Council also makes performance auditing decisions and monitors the operation and performance of city agencies and holds regular oversight hearings on city departments to determine how programs are working and whether budgeted funds are being spent well. In its decision-making roles, the City Council actively involves the public through its weekly public meetings.

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Latest News

Sprockets Youth Program Map

1/25/2025 Parks & Recreation

Sprockets launches a new youth program map! Find organizations working with young people K-12 across Saint Paul.

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Saint Paul City Council Passes Charter Change to Fight for Renters, Workers and Neighborhoods

1/22/2025 City Council

Saint Paul now has a more effective means of code compliance with equitable implementation named as a priority

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Saint Paul Declares Special Winter Parking Rules to Launch a New Snow Operations Pilot

1/21/2025 Public Works

Public Works will pilot a weekly alternating one-sided parking cycle in the Payne-Phalen and Highland Park neighborhoods beginning February 2

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Watch Info Session: How to Prepare for Second Trump Administration

1/15/2025 City Attorney

The session will include an overview of current immigration court procedures and preparation tips, presented in English and Spanish.

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Last Edited: January 17, 2025