Saint Paul councilmember urges removal of 90-day youth wage from city code; public hearing continued

Councilmember Yang urged colleagues to remove a provision in Chapter 224 of the city's Legislative Code that allows employers to pay 14- to 17-year-old employees 85% of the city minimum wage for the first 90 days after hire, and the City Council voted to leave the public hearing open and continue final action to Oct. 8.

Yang said the language appears only in Saint Paul's code in the state and that the age-based reduced wage should be struck so young workers receive the city minimum wage immediately. "Under letter C here, it's about the 90 day youth wage. I just wanted to let folks know that I am opposed to us having this in our ordinance... employees who are 14 to 17 years of age shall be paid not less than 85% of the city minimum wage for small employers and rounded to the nearest nickel during the first 90 days after the date of hire," Yang said, reading from the code and urging colleagues to consider an amendment to remove the clause.

Council President Johnson and Vice President Kim said they welcomed Yang's proposal and asked for time to review the specific amendment language and its implications. Johnson asked Yang to provide the suggested text and additional context about what would change if the city removed the 90-day clause. "I would like to do a little homework first before then," Johnson said, asking offices to consult with business and commerce staff as appropriate. Kim said the issue raised multiple policy considerations, including how youth contribute to household income and participation in city youth programs.

Because Yang signaled she was prepared to develop amendment language, the council voted to keep the public hearing open and lay the ordinance over to the Oct. 8 meeting for further consideration. The motion to continue the public hearing and defer final adoption passed with seven in favor and no one opposed.

The ordinance under consideration was read as part of the public hearing items and is described on the agenda as amending Chapter 224 of the Legislative Code to align with state law changes; Yang's suggested change would specifically target the text in section 224.04(c) that sets a training/90-day youth wage for 14- to 17-year-old employees. The council did not take final action on the ordinance and indicated it may need additional time and possibly another public hearing if an amendment is formally introduced.

Next steps: Councilmember Yang said she will coordinate with staff on drafting amendment language, and the council will review the proposed text before Oct. 8. No final adoption occurred at this meeting.