Saint Paul has a rich history of active and distinct neighborhoods. To support neighborhood participation in governance, the district council planning process was created over 30 years ago.
There are 17 district councils. Responsibilities of the councils include: planning and advising on the physical, economic, and social development of their areas; identifying needs; initiating community programs; recruiting volunteers; and sponsoring community events.
Diane Wanner serves as District Council Coordinator. In this position, she serves as liaison between the City of Saint Paul and the district councils. This includes providing training, support and capacity building for district councils, and enhancing communication and coordination between the city and the district councils.