Who We Are
DSI seeks to continuously improve coordination, efficiencies, and customer service through our eight business lines:
- Animal Control
- Communications
- Construction Services
- Customer Services
- Fire Safety
- Licensing and Skyway system management
- Property Code Enforcement
- Zoning and Site Plan Review
Vision
To be the leader in creating the safest, healthiest, most livable, and vibrant City for all.
Mission
To preserve and improve the quality of life in Saint Paul by protecting and promoting public health and safety for all.
Values
Serve all customers with respect and dignity.
Exemplify public service.
Embrace the diversity of our City by valuing different viewpoints, expertise, and cultures.
Act with integrity and professionalism in all interactions with our customers and communities.
Director
Angie Wiese, PE, CBO
Angie Wiese is a results-oriented leader with almost 17 years of experience championing the health and safety of the City of Saint Paul’s residents and our built environment through regulation, education, and collaborative engagement. She’s served as interim director, Fire Safety Manager, and Fire Protection Engineer, including a period handling public information for the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).
During her time with DSI, Director Wiese has coordinated complex projects with building officials, architects, property owners and contractors to secure a high level of safety and customer satisfaction; and managed staff and driven decisions by analyzing data and finding creative solutions while maintaining a deep and vital commitment to equity.
Deputy Directors
DSI’s Commitment to Equity
DSI is committed to continually analyzing City services and programs to identify the potential for race-based disparities then seeking solutions to address any disparities. This includes engaging the community for input and collaboration, as well as striving to make our workforce reflect the demographics of our City.
Some of our initiatives are listed here:
- DSI has engaged the community in three equity impact assessments: Reviewing the Fire Inspections Certificate of Occupancy program, Code Enforcement Abatement notices, and Business License applications process. The department strives to analyze one program per year. You may read the Equity Impact reports related to each of these efforts here:
- DSI created an Equity Analysis Framework to apply an equity lens when making decisions or reviewing existing processes and policies related to City programs. View or download a PDF of the framework here.
- DSI collects Sewer Availability Charges (SAC) on behalf of the Metropolitan Council. These charges cover the sanitary sewer usage a new business or building generates, which DSI collects and then transfers to the Metropolitan Council after a building permit is issued. Our department offers research services to every customer who receives a SAC determination from the Metropolitan Council. This service ensures that new businesses only pay those charges for which they are actually responsible. The department estimates this service provides more than $300,000 in cost savings to new Saint Paul businesses each year.
- Of available DSI dollars in 2020, $669,848.49, $338,694.78 or 51 percent was spent on City CERT Program vendors (Central Certification program, a small business program recognized by the City and Ramsey County); of that $205,403.73 was spent on Women Business Enterprises ( 60.65 percent).
- The department moved from 10.9 percent people of color represented in its workforce in 2014 to 21.4 percent in 2021. DSI’s goal is 48 percent. We moved from 11 percent women our department’s workforce to 33 percent in 2021. DSI’s goal is 51 percent.
Habitat for Humanity
Under former DSI Director Ricardo Cervantes’ leadership, the department coordinated the City’s volunteer efforts with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, engaging City departments, the Office of the Mayor, and City Council in helping to build a “Saint Paul for all.”
Each year approximately:
- 110 City staff participate
- 16 different departments are represented
- 825 hours are invested as staff use a day of their personal vacation time
Saint Paul has built 338 houses in neighborhoods throughout the city since 1985. To learn more about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s projects building, repairing, and selling homes with affordable mortgages visit the Twin Cities Habitat website.
Annual Reports
Following are links to DSI's Annual Reports:
