|
Judge Diamond ruled that the city’s procedure for responding to MGDPA requests “turns the presumption that all data of a government entity is public on its head” and that the “undisputed evidence establishes a significant procedural deficiency in the city’s search process.” Judge Diamond went on to find that the violations resulted from “procedures that allowed the city to do nothing to meet the MGDPA’s requirements for too long,” and “meet the standard of willfulness” that required the court to impose exemplary damages.
“We are very encouraged by the court's decision,” said Gary Todd, on behalf of SOS. “We assume that the city will change its procedures to comply with the law,” adding that “SOS hopes that Judge Diamond’s decision creates an opportunity for the city to work with its citizens constructively, rather than forcing Saint Paul residents to go to court because the city keeps turning a deaf ear to our legitimate concerns.”
On July 9, 2024 the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the proposed bike trail was not “sufficiently certain to be constructed” that the city would be required to conduct an Environmental Assessment Worksheet before plans have been finalized or receives funding. SOS has asked the city to identify when the plan for the trail will be sufficiently final to conduct environmental review, but so far the city has declined to provide that information.
About SOS (Save Our Street)
Save Our Street is a citizen group that seeks to educate and advocate for preserving the historic streetscape of Summit Avenue as a treasured St. Paul destination and a safe, tree-lined, multi-modal corridor for generations to come. https://www.savesummitavenue.org
| 
