History of District Councils
1900-1967: Neighborhood Groups Come Together
Neighborhood organizations date back to the early 1900s in Saint Paul. Neighbors began to organize in response to federal urban renewal projects that often-overlooked community input. In 1967, local groups came together to form the Association of Saint Paul Communities. This partnership showed the need for better communication between neighborhoods and City government.
1967-1975: Development of the Citizen Participation Process
The 1970s marked a turning point for resident engagement in Saint Paul. The City established the Committee on Citizen Participation. This created a formal process for residents to give feedback on City decisions. The committee’s report, Making Democracy Work, recommended creating neighborhood councils, supported by City funding and technical assistance. The City also secured federal funding to support this initiative.
1975: Creation of Planning Districts
In 1975, the City Council set up 17 planning districts. They also approved a district planning process, and initiatives like the Early Notification System (ENS), to keep neighbors informed and guide development priorities.
Planning districts followed natural neighborhood boundaries. They aimed to reflect community identity, leading to districts that varied in size. The boundaries remain largely the same today.
Each district council went through a formal recognition process to ensure broad representation, accountability, and accessibility.
1975: Creation of Early Notification System
The Early Notification System (ENS) is a cornerstone of resident participation. It was designed to keep neighborhoods informed about local City actions. This system provides early and consistent communication about proposed developments, zoning changes, and other projects. The City initially sent updates through mailed notices. Today, people can choose to receive updates via either email or text.
1983: City Council Ward System and Focus on Neighborhoods
In 1983, Saint Paul shifted to a ward-based City Council system. This introduced geographic representation alongside the district council model. The City also launched the Better Neighborhoods Program to address neighborhood priorities.
The program introduced initiatives like community policing, neighborhood cleanup days, and shared office space for district councils. The district council system gained national recognition for its impact.
1990: Creation of District Plans
Neighborhood-specific plans, called district plans, were developed to be a key component of the City's Comprehensive Plan. They help integrate local priorities into citywide planning. The district planning process was developed with substantial resident input and City support. By the late 1990s, the City formalized staff resources and processes to assist District Councils in crafting these plans. The goal is to ensure community voices are central to City planning.
2004 to Now: Focus on Equity
In 2004, an Ad Hoc Committee on Citizen Participation recommended a more equitable funding formula for District Councils. This new formula accounted for neighborhood demographics like the percentage of non-English speakers.
In 2013, the City consolidated various resident engagement programs into a single Community Engagement Program, streamlining resources and focusing on citywide improvements.
Recent initiatives like the Innovation Fund encourage collaboration and equity. They highlight the evolving role of district councils in adapting to community needs.
