Ward 5 Update

St. Paul Ward 5 Update

May 2021


Kao Ly Ilean Her

Kao Ly Ilean Her

On May 13, 2021, Ward 5 lost a dear friend. Kao Ly Ilean Her was a respected and beloved leader, breaking boundaries and paving the way for other Hmong women. She welcomed us into her Hmong Elder Center in the North End and facilitated the beginnings of a long-standing friendships with her extended family, her wonderful elder community, her business and most importantly with her. We treasure our memories with Ilean and know she will be missed by so many.

We always knew Ilean was special, but in her passing we learned even more about her life as a leader and change-maker. In 2008, Ilean was a cofounder of Hnub Tshiab Hmong Women Achieving Together, a nonprofit organization in St. Paul, MN, whose mission  is to be a catalyst for lasting cultural, institutional and social change to improve the lives of Hmong women. Ilean co-created and led the Hmong Girls Leadership Institute (HGLI) and the Girls Enterprise Zone (EZ), two programs intended to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills in Hmong girls ages 12 to18 years old.  Ilean also co-created the Hmong Women's Leadership Institute (HWLI) in 2008, to develop Hmong women leaders. Over the last 13 years, we have graduated 12 cohorts comprising of over 144 Hmong women from HWLI. 

She served as executive director of the State of Minnesota Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and founded several nonprofits, including Allies for Mentoring Asian Youth, and the Heritage Center for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has served as a trustee of the Minneapolis Foundation, the Asian Pacific Endowment of the St. Paul Foundation, and Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Ilean received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Hamline University and a law degree from the University of Minnesota. Ilean was recently appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents where she was an advocate for education access to all students, especially students of color and those from lower socioeconomic communities, as she valued education as a doorway to opportunity for all regardless of beginnings.

In memory of Kao Ly Ilean Her,  who devoted her life to improving the lives of Hmong women and girls, at the request of her beloved family members, Hmong Women Achieving Together is seeking the community's support to create a memorial fund in honor of Kao Ly Ilean Her. *To support her Go Fund Me: Hmong Women's Scholarship Fund click the photo above


Tenant Protections

Next week, the Saint Paul City Council agenda will include a measure to delete (rescind) the recently won S.A.F.E. Tenant Protection Act (Ord 20-14) in its entirety. This disappointing news follows a lawsuit filed in Federal District Court by a group of landlords which resulted in a preliminary injunction motion. Among other things, this ruling prohibits the City from enforcement of the Ordinance until the lawsuit is resolved. Although the City respectfully disagrees with the Court’s decision, in an effort to mitigate the time, expense and practical delay caused by drawn-out litigation, the City Attorney’s Office has advised the Council that rescission of the Ordinance is the best course of action.

The full removal of the Saint Paul ordinance will end the current lawsuit. It will also remove all of the local S.A.F.E. tenant protections. But it does not mean that Saint Paul residents who are victims of rental housing discrimination are without recourse, as federal and state laws will remain in effect. The Council remains firmly committed to advancing progressive legislation for stable, accessible, fair and equitable housing locally. We expect to face these types of setbacks as we advance the larger movement to correct the unbalanced and inequitable system around housing contracts and the law, and we intend to keep fighting. 

Rescission of the ordinance does not mean we are giving up. On the contrary, it means we will begin work immediately on a vision for S.A.F.E. version 2.0.  In addition to reflecting on the existing ordinance language and the unfavorable Court decision for Saint Paul, a Minneapolis’ tenant protection “sister ordinance” is currently under a separate Federal District Court lawsuit. The legal precedent set by decisions in Minneapolis will help define the path forward so that Saint Paul may continue in its mission of increasing access and furthering rental housing stability for the residents of our City.

Tenant Protections

GETTING VACCINATED IS EASY AND FREE

COVID-19 Vaccination Facts

CPFS Photo Mayor Melvin Carter

"Council President Amy Brendmoen said the commission's work provides the elected body with "thoughtful, actionable" items as council members help determine St. Paul's 2022 budget and plans for the $166 million the city is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan.

"We have an opportunity that six months ago we didn't know we would have with funds to back up the recommendations in front of us," she said." -Star Tribune


8th annual northland cup

8th Annual Northland Cup

In this annual event, officials from the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County face off to benefit victims of domestic violence in our community and to raise support for the Saint Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (SPIP).

The Saint Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project exists to eliminate domestic violence against women and their children, and the social and systems responses that condone or allow its oppression. This is often the first contact a victim has with support services. If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, they are here to help you. Call them 24 hours a day at (651) 645-2824.

They would love to talk to you and find you the help you need. Se habla español. Peb hais lus Hmoob.

To further support this work please consider donating: https://www.givemn.org/organization/St-Paul-Intervention-Project


Fun events at como pavilion

Music at Dockside

We are finally looking forward to a summer of live music, great company and delicious food and beverage!

Please select the photo above to view the calendar of shows at Como Lakeside Pavilion. All shows are FREE unless noted!


Dare we say summer is here?! We continue to lake lap with residents across the ward! We don our masks and socially distance. We have online community office hours and we are always happy to arrange appointments! Email us at Ward5@stpaul.gov or call us 651-266-8650.

Stay in touch, mask up and be safe! 

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May 2021


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Resources:

Rice Street Library Branch Manager Job Opening, apply HERE

Looking for assistance with internet service, click HERE

Sign up for summer aquatics HERE

Do you need assistance paying rent, click HERE

Karen Organization is hiring, job descriptions HERE

It's composting season, Ramsey County has info and resources HERE


Mayor Carter's STate of Our City address 2021

State of Our city

Photo highlights from ward 5

Trumpet Flower

Photo by Tammi LeSage, taken near frog pond at Como Park 

TC Paddle Sports

Twin Cities Paddle Sports started offering classes on Como Lake

North Dale Tree Planting

Saint Paul Forestry Department and Tree Advisory Panel members planted trees at North Dale Recreation Center

In Progress - King Demetrius Pendleton

Check out King Demetrius Pendleton's photo display on In Progress building